Surgery Spooked? 4 Things To Know For Pre-Procedure Peace Of Mind

Whether you are going into the hospital or medical center for a serious surgical operation or a rather routine outpatient procedure, you understandably may have many concerns and questions lingering in the back of your mind. Your procedure may be urgently needed or optional, but you may nonetheless be intimidated and stressed by the experience in front of you. It is common to feel jittery and nervous before a medical procedure, and there are a few steps that you can take to ease your mind as you prepare for the surgery.

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Inquire About the Training and Experience of the Doctor

When you selected your doctor originally, you may have learned a great deal about home or her, such as where the doctor attended medical school and more. However, you likely failed to ask how many surgical procedures he or she has performed. You may also not have any knowledge about how many of these specific procedures have been performed. The ideal physician will have many years of experience in this area, and he or she should be able to put your mind at rest. Simply make the inquiry about this matter so that you can feel confident that you will be in good hands.

Learn More About the Procedure and Risks

Even with the most skilled and experienced medical professional caring for you, there is always a risk that something will go wrong. You should learn more about the actual procedure and what will be done to you in step-by-step fashion. You should also be aware of the risk as well as the chance that you will experience an adverse effect from the treatment. Most procedures are rather routine, and the chance that anything will go wrong is minimal at best. Many procedures today use high-tech equipment that decreases the recovery time as well as the amount of pain that you may feel.

Understand How Your Pain Will Be Managed

While your pain may be reduced in comparison to what patients experienced years ago, the reality is that you may still feel a significant amount of pain. Pain can easily be managed through anesthesia during the procedure as well as take-home prescription drugs for the days and weeks to follow. You can inquire about how long you should expect to feel pain after the procedure and what the doctor will do to help you manage the pain.

Inquire About the Machines in the Room

In some cases, you may be awake for the procedure. The thought of being in a medical room filled with unfamiliar machines can be intimidating. You may be able to inquire about the purposes of various machines before the procedure. For example, a common machine that is found in many operating rooms is a backup generator. Companies like Megadyne make these mega power generators specifically for medical applications. This machine will keep other machines running in the event the power goes out in the facility, and it is a critical component in any operating room. This is just one of several machines that may catch your eye, and the nursing staff should be able to inform you about the purpose of each machine.

You understandably have many questions and concerns about the procedure. You can use the Internet to research answers to some of your questions, but you should also seek personalized answers from your healthcare team. A call to your nurse in the days leading up to the procedure can be helpful. Some patients must visit their doctor for a pre-procedure appointment, such as to have lab tests completed. This is another great time to get your questions answered in person. The more you know about the procedure, the more comfortable you may feel before and during the event.