It’s natural to be a little nervous about undergoing surgery. However, there’s a difference between natural trepidation, which can be addressed by talking to your doctor, and paralyzing fear that prevents patients from undergoing beneficial procedures. However, if you or someone you care about has an extreme fear of surgery that prevents them from moving forward with healthy choices, like weight loss surgery, there are ways to address these concerns so they can obtain the care they need.
Nothing to Fear
The best thing you can do to alleviate fears is to create a trusting relationship with your doctor and medical team. If you know and trust your medical provider, you will feel more confident in that person’s ability to treat you. Doing proper research ahead of time can help patients build trust in their care providers. WeightWise Bariatric Program offers Free Seminars to give patients an opportunity to hear directly from our surgeons and have all of their questions answered in person.
Patients also benefit from building trust in themselves and their decisions. By doing the necessary research and believing in their choice of surgeon and program, patients can reduce their own anxiety regarding their procedure. Often, talk therapy can help patients sort out their feelings prior to a procedure. Our team at WeightWise Bariatric Program includes patient advocates, who can connect with patients prior to and after surgery to make sure they are meeting all of their requirements and address any concerns they may have. Team also includes a psychologist. can possibly work that in since talk therapy is referenced.
Patients can also take action on a personal level to help themselves. This can include meditation, exercise for recovery, and simply socializing with people they love. Prayer, journaling, spending time with pets, volunteering and even cleaning the home can help. Productivity is key. A new hobby can also be educating yourself about any procedures and illnesses. The unknown can be pretty scary, but the more you know (as long as you’re learning from reputable sources), the better the situation will be. Ask your doctor for the best reading materials.
Well-Planned
Advance planning is essential for individuals about to undergo surgery. Work with your doctor WeightWise team (doctor, dietitian, exercise physiologist, and patient advocate) to create a post-surgery plan. Your patient advocate will be happy to help you meet all of your medical requirements and come up with a plan to make sure you are comfortable every step of the way.
Bear in mind that the fear of surgery, medicine, and hospitals is temporary—because anxiety, by nature, is temporary. Weight loss surgery is designed to give you better quality of life and increase your health and well being. Our team at WeightWise is happy to work with you to create the best possible surgical outcome!