The Fear of Surgery
Many of my patients have a significant fear of having surgery. In fact, dental phobia is one of the most common fears known. This anxiety may stem from a person's past experiences but quite often it is due to the anticipation of the unknown. Management of a patient's anxiety has been shown to be important for the reduction of post-operative pain experienced after a surgical procedure.
Here are 4 simple ways to help reduce your anxiety of surgery:
1) Educate yourself about your surgery. Speak directly with your surgeon about the details of the procedure and have all your questions answered
2) Discuss your fears with your surgeon
3) Get a good night's sleep the day before your surgery
4) Deep breathing exercises can help reduce anxiety right up until the moment your surgery begins
5) Get support from family and friends
6) Use alternative therapies for anxiety reduction like meditation, yoga, music, massage and acupuncture
4) Ask your surgeon about anxiety reducing medications that can be safely used prior to your surgery
The first step towards alleviating fears can be as simple as acknowledging that you are nervous. The team at Face2Face surgery can then provide support and understanding to help you through your procedure.
For more information on effects of surgical fear on post-operative recovery can be found following this link.
