Preparing for Surgery : A Mind-body Approach to Enhance Healing and Recovery

A patient-oriented, proactive approach to planning for and recovering from an operation or medical procedure -- Presents a clinically tested, step-by-step program to help patients prepare for surgery and other stressful medical procedures -- Outlines mental and physical techniques to prepare mind and body for surgery Despite continuing advances in surgical techniques, even a relatively minor operation is still an assault to the system -- and a source of anxiety and stress.

Added to the discomfort of the underlying illness or condition and the inevitable postoperative pain are the patient's worries over work, finances, family, and friends.

Studies and the authors' combined years of clinical research suggest that mind-body preparation for surgery can help relieve anxiety as well as reduce the severity of physical symptoms that follow an operation.

This interactive workbook distills the core components of these studies into a supportive guide that offers techniques to: -- Decrease the need for postoperative pain medicine -- Return to health more quickly -- Leave the hospital sooner -- Reduce complications -- Lessen postoperative pain Thirteen chapters divided into five sections help the patient to design an individual program by preparing the mind, body, and environment for the time both before and after surgery.

Helpful sidebars answer common questions such as "What are patients' main worries about surgery?" and "Can patients hear during surgery?"