RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—Two weeks ago, my wife and I took our son, Gabriel, to New Milford Hospital in Connecticut for reconstructive surgery on his right ankle. During the 90-minute drive from our home, he shared his fears with us. He feared the pain of the needle that would deliver anesthetic. And he was afraid he would wake up during the surgery. Eleven years ago, when he was 7, Gabriel had regained consciousness momentarily during a procedure to set his broken left arm. And all these years later, as we sat in the hospital room prior to the surgery, Gabriel continued to feel anxious about the administration of the anesthesia.
A parade of medical personnel came in to speak with him for routine preoperative procedures. The preop nurse, a kind, competent woman, explained how she would insert the needle that would deliver a solution of glucose and water. The surgeon came in for about three minutes, explained the surgery, and in a reassuring act of medical authority, drew an “X” with a felt-tip pen on Gabriel’s right ankle. As least we could rest assured they would be doing the surgery on the correct leg.
But Gabriel was still apprehensive when the anesthesiologist entered the room. This fast-talking physician peppered him with questions, and launched into a hilarious bit of stand-up comedy drawing parallels between the feelings Gabriel would have under anesthesia and those he might have after a few beers—which of course Gabriel had never had because he was only 18. Before long, Gabriel was convulsed in laughter.
Those minutes with the anesthesiologist and the others on the surgical team were a significant part of prepping my son for the upcoming procedure. By the time he walked down the hall in his hospital johnny on the way to the O.R., Gabriel was feeling relaxed and at ease. He felt welcomed, informed, and cared for, and had gotten to know the people he was entrusting to put him to sleep and repair his body. Like scrubbing up and cleaning the surgical instruments, communicating with the patient is a must for ensuring as successful an outcome as possible.
WHAT IT MEANS: If you have ever had surgery, you know the vulnerability that comes along with putting your life in someone else’s hands. Good surgical and preoperative teams know the fears their patients have, and take pains to provide a feeling of safety and security. When hospital personnel express warm, caring, and light-hearted feelings, their patients experience less anxiety and tolerate the surgical procedure more comfortably. It’s not just a matter easing mental discomfort, though that is important. But numerous studies have shown that patients who are less anxious before surgery experience less pain and recover faster and with fewer complications than more anxious patients.
If you are or a family member is facing surgery, here are some ways to ease preop worries and set yourself up for a great recovery:
• Do some research. When you have a choice, select a hospital or day-surgery facility that is known for quality patient care, including the staff’s willingness to communicate openly with patients.
• Be part of the team. Think of yourself or your child as entering into a healing partnership with the surgeon and the surgical team. To be as informed and comfortable as possible, take advantage of meetings and phone calls with your surgeon and hospital staff before the day of the surgery.
• Put all concerns on the table. Make a list of your worries and questions, so you won’t leave anything out, If your child is having the surgery, ask about her concerns before you meet with the hospital staff; children may be shy about voicing their fears to the medical personnel. Make sure you or your child expresses those concerns to the staff and has them adequately addressed in advance. Don’t feel that any question is too trivial or foolish to ask. Well-trained staff members want to hear those concerns so they can respond to them.
• Bring some soothing sounds. Some patients feel more relaxed listening to music or guided imagery prior to and after surgery, and they experience less pain and quicker recoveries as a result. If it would help you (or your child) feel more comfortable, ask your doctor or medical staff if you can bring an iPod, MP player, or portable CD player to listen to before and after the procedure. You can find some excellent guided-imagery recordings at HealthJourneys.com.
Jeffrey Rossman, PhD, is a Rodale.com advisor and director of life management at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA. His column, “Mind-Body-Mood Advisor,” appears weekly on Rodale.com.