It can be a stressful time before your operation. You might be feeling nervous and stressed about the outcome and dealing with recovery. But by preparing carefully, you can help yourself to relax and look ahead to getting better. Read on for a guide to preparing for an operation.
Practicalities
To begin with, there are some practical things that you should arrange prior to your operation to give you peace of mind. You’ll need to book time off work in advance. Plus, if you have a pet or children that need looking after, you’ll need to arrange a babysitter or a dogsitter. On top of this, depending on the length of your stay in hospital, you should put together a bag for your trip. If it’s just for the day, then perhaps you’ll only need light entertainment. However, for more serious operations you’ll need to pack everything you’ll need to stay overnight. This includes nightwear, toiletries and day clothes.
Mental preparation
It’s perfectly normal to feel particularly anxious before an operation – but there are ways for you to help yourself. It’s easy to spiral or catastrophise prior to an operation. But try focusing on real probabilities and risks: an emphasis on logical thinking can help you remain calm. It can also help to try breathing exercises in order to slow your heart rate and achieve a more peaceful mindset in the days and hours leading up to the operation.
Full details of your appointment
It’s also important to be on top of the details of your appointment prior to the operation. Make sure you know exactly where you’re going and what time you need to arrive. This can help you plan your transport in advance. On top of this, there might be steps you need to take before the operation such as avoiding drinking and eating for a short period.
Aftercare
Aftercare is just as important as preparation. Ensure that you have someone to pick you up following your operation. Plus, you should carefully follow any recovery instructions to put your health in the best possible position. If you realise something is wrong following surgery, usually another colleague will take over to rectify the mistake. If it is serious this will happen right away. If you have suffered as a result of this mistake, you could consider a hospital negligence claim to gain compensation. In this situation it’s worth contacting legal professionals to walk you through the process.
Preparing for an operation can be a daunting time. But by planning carefully and by keeping your mind at ease, you should put yourself in the best possible position to recover quickly.