How to Avoid or Overcome The Fear of Surgery

People who get into such a profession as; nurses, anesthesiologist, doctors and surgeons are compassionate and caring people. In fact you might feel a bit pampered as they go about caring for you before and after surgery. Your job is to relax and take advantage of the down time clear your mind thinking of the positive plans for your future.

The nurses, anesthesiologist and surgeons are people too; thank them in advance for taking good care of you. Show your gratitude for all the little gestures they do as this goes a very long way and gets you even more great care and consideration. If you want to know something ask, if you're a bit scared tell them. If you don't want to know anything tell them that as well. It helps them to help you by understanding what your concerns are and the type of person you are. The medial staff deals with such a diverse number of unique individuals it helps them to know more about you.

• The majority of people who fear surgery do best concentrating on anything other than surgery. It could be positive peaceful thoughts, music or a good book.  Focus on anything non related keeping their minds occupied with other thoughts.  

Don't think about the time it begins or what's going to happen in the operating room. It really is much easier than people think. Before you know it you wake up often finding it hard to believe it's all over. You don't feel a thing and it seems as if nothing happened. It feels as if only mere seconds passed. You make it through and now all you need to focus on is the healing. Surgery really is much easier than you imagine so don't imagine it.

Vital Note: Don't Google the surgical procedure you're scheduled to have. Do not watch YouTube videos of any surgery documentaries. This will only increase fear besides the most outrageous cases are often posted on such sites for sensationalism. 

• You might want to have the company of your most positive friends or relatives with you who will easily keep your mind on idle chit chat.

• Its best to get through it without making a big deal of it.

I've personally had three emergency surgeries. I found it best to think about anything but the surgery.  Once it was over and I knew I had made it okay I dealt with the recovery.  For some of us, it's best to put the thought out of our mind and relax. Once you're put to sleep you have no pain, no knowledge and it'll be over before you know it. I was amazed how easy surgery actually was after my first, it was an emergency appendectomy. My appendix burst so I couldn’t have the scope procedure. I hear of many who do it effortlessly by way of endoscopic procedures. This was not an option for me but it wasn't that bad either.  The 2 1/2 inch scar I have is barely notable. It was an easy recovery and something I’ve forgotten.

I tuned him out as he talked, went to another place all the while repeating in my mind, this is a minor procedure, this is a minor procedure. This was my coping mechanism, I told the team of surgeons later I was imagining this to be a simple procedure; my surgeon began telling me, "no this is a major procedure." I stopped him and said, "No this is a minor procedure, tell be more after I recover from surgery." winked and smiled at him, he smiled back and that's the way it went, everyone followed my cue. The fact is when you must have surgery the only alternative is to get past it any way that works for you. For me it was complete denial and it worked. 

When this happens it's best to think about whatever you need to clear your head of anything that stresses you out. The surgery is inevitable and so the best thing for you to do is remain calm and let the professionals do their job. Anytime you imagine or think about having surgery it’s far worse than the reality. Today’s modern technology makes surgery easier than ever before.