Managing Pre-Surgery Anxiety: Why Early Intervention Matters
When it comes to surgery, it’s not just the physical preparation that matters. Your mental and emotional state can have a profound impact on your recovery after the procedure. In fact, there’s strong evidence showing that patients who manage their anxiety before surgery tend to have better post-operative outcomes.
The Importance of Pre-Assessment
The pre-assessment stage of surgery is crucial—not just for medical preparation, but for identifying psychological concerns such as anxiety. Unfortunately, this is an area where many healthcare systems fall short. Patients at risk of anxiety are often not identified until the day of surgery, by which time the stress has already built up.
Pre-assessment is the ideal time to recognise those at risk and offer the support they need early on. By addressing anxiety in the weeks or even months before surgery, patients are able to approach the procedure feeling calmer, more informed, and better prepared. This not only helps reduce anxiety on the day of surgery but also leads to improved recovery afterwards.
How Anxiety Affects Recovery
Anxiety isn’t just a mental or emotional issue—it has real physiological effects on the body. When you’re anxious, your body is in a heightened state of stress. This can affect your immune system, healing processes, and even how your body responds to surgery. Studies have shown that patients who manage their anxiety before surgery experience fewer complications and recover more quickly.
What Can Be Done
One way to address pre-surgery anxiety is to ensure that it’s identified early in the pre-assessment process. Once identified, patients can be provided with psychological support, including relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and information to help them feel more in control.
At Operation Sidekick, we specialise in helping patients manage their pre-surgery anxiety. Our goal is to equip patients with the tools they need to face surgery with confidence. By working through anxiety ahead of time, patients can experience better outcomes and a smoother recovery.
Conclusion
Managing anxiety in the lead-up to surgery is just as important as preparing physically. When patients receive psychological support early on, it can make a significant difference in their recovery outcomes. However, this is an area where improvements are needed—especially when it comes to identifying patients at risk of anxiety during pre-assessment.
At Operation Sidekick, we’re here to help patients manage their anxiety before the day of surgery arrives. If you or someone you know is facing surgery and feeling anxious, visit www.operationsidekick.co.uk to learn more about how we can support you in the pre-operative period.