Preparing For Surgery

Any kind of surgery can pose anxiety. Whether you are having something minor done that doesn’t require a long recovery or a surgery that could take a few hours, you might have questions and concerns about what to expect before the procedure and what to expect when you get home.


One of the things that can give you a peace of mind about the surgery is to talk to your doctors. Find out everything you can about the procedure and the recovery process by asking questions. You can also do a little research online as some procedures are posted that include pictures so that you can get an ideas as to what to expect. Offices like Bay Surgical Specialists often have pamphlets that give information about various procedures. Before your surgery begins, the doctor will need to add a few marks on the skin so that he knows where to make incisions. This is normal, and the marker used isn’t permanent.

There are a few options when it comes to anesthesia and the type of surgery that can be done. Make sure you know of these options, and ask if there is a procedure that can be done so that you are asleep for as short of time as possible. Ask about the differences in local and regional anesthesia. These are good options if you don’t want general anesthesia, which will put you to sleep through the procedure. There are also various methods of sedation, such as breathing gas through a mask or IV sedation where a liquid medication is given.

Try to put aside as many fears as possible. This can cause unnecessary stress, which can make it difficult for you to get to sleep for the procedure. Ask about the pain level after surgery and how long the surgery will take. If you know what is involved, then it can help in being prepared. You want to find out if you need any kind of help while at home so that arrangements can be made. Ask about any kind of therapy that might be needed after surgery in order for you to get back to daily activities. If you’re prepared for the procedure, then it won’t seem as frightening.