20/12/2025
Pre Operative Preparation and Post Operative Recovery
Having worked in Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery units as a nurse I know just how nerve racking the thought of surgery can be for some patients.
Even when I trained as a nurse way back in 2001 it was well known that pre op anxiety was directly linked to post op pain and complications. Therefore, the calmer and more relaxed patients are before the operation the less complications they are likely to experience post op. Plus, the more relaxed and empowered they feel post op, the more resilient and able to cope with any complications that do arise they will be.
The science would suggest that one reason for this phenomenon on a physical level is that cortisol and other stress hormones are released when we are anxious activating the fight or flight state. In severe cases this can suppress the immune systems function making it harder for the body to heal and fight infection, the two things patients absolutely need post operatively. Anxiety can also lead to muscular tension which will inevitably increase pain and discomfort.
On a psychological level, it is well known in hypnotherapeutic circles that “what we expect to happen tends to be realised”. Psychological priming leading to physiological changes further increasing the chances of a poorer outcome post op. If fear and anxiety is not properly managed pre op it can only be bad for the patient and bad for the hospital with extended hospital stays and further interventions required prior to discharge.
Once I learned this, I made it a priority to put my patients at ease and relieve their fears and anxieties the best I could before they went to theatre, and I became pretty good at it… even before studying hypnotherapy and developing the 3B approach. It was just good nursing care based on solid communication, giving the patient time to express their fears and feel heard worked wonders… but later adding practical tools like breathwork, anxiety management strategies and positive psychological priming really made the difference to the patient’s experience.
Taking the time to resolve your patients’ anxieties and cultivate a calm state of mind pre op really can improve the post operative outcome and save recovery time post op.
Of course, we do ned to be honest with patients about potential complications to get proper informed consent, but it is equally important to empower patients with practical tools to help them focus on the benefits and a positive outcome.
It is our job to help the patient turn the worry (imagining what might go wrong) into a sense of control and empowerment (imagining what might go right) which can positively influence the outcome of the surgery and assist recovery.
We can help patients develop a positive mindset and align their thoughts, feelings and behaviours with health and recovery.
We can help patients relax and reduce tension, stress and pain utilising simple breathwork and visualisation techniques.
The medical sciences, skilled practitioners and pharmaceuticals can do a lot, but we must never forget the person at the centre of it all.
It is surprisingly easy to empower the individual to participate fully in their own healing by training their minds to work for them rather than against them.
You might just be amazed by the results.
