Mental Wellbeing

Dr Sunil Kumar is a Lifestyle Medicine Physician, Specialist Anaesthetist, Master Health Coach, and Best-Selling Author. His books include The Power of Self-Care and The Power of Preparation for Surgery.

Dr Toni Brunning is a Consultant Anaesthetist, Lifestyle Medicine Physician, Coach and Co-author of ‘The Power of Preparation for Surgery.’

Toni underwent major surgery herself in 2022 and so has a deeper understanding of what it is like for patients waiting for surgery. Her own psychological preparation involved developing a breathwork practice and trying to have open conversations with her loved ones about what she was facing and how she was coping. Her family and friends proved to be the support network she needed to help her recover successfully after the procedure. The experience gave her an insight into what waiting for surgery is like for patients and in her own practice now she tries to have these conversations with patients about preparing themselves mentally and gives lifestyle medicine advice to help them get fit for surgery.

Hi, we’re Dr. Sunil Kumar and Dr. Toni Brunning, and we’re lifestyle medicine physicians and anaesthetists who want to help you to get healthy, even before you reach the operating theatre. We’ve seen how much your mental state can impact your surgical outcome, and today, we’re covering how to get your mind in the best shape before your operation. We know that health inequalities mean that it can be harder for some people to look after their mental health so we hope this blog will be useful for everyone.

Mind Over Matter

Your mental health can influence how you handle your surgery. Studies have shown that if you're feeling anxious or down before surgery, it can lead to a longer hospital stay and more complications afterwards. So, working on your mental wellness can help you recover better and faster. For healthcare professionals: routine preoperative mental health screenings can identify patients who may benefit from additional support. Early intervention for depression or anxiety and referral for CBT can significantly improve surgical readiness.

1. Knowledge is Power

The more you know, the less you’ll worry. If you get clear info about the surgery, what the anaesthetic entails, and how recovery will look, you’ll worry less. There are some great resources available such as the fitter, better sooner toolkit. Whether you prefer leaflets, informative videos, or web resources, find what works best for you. Research (McDonald et al, 2014) shows that getting informed can help calm those pre-surgery nerves.

2. Relax, You Got This

Next on the list: mindfulness and relaxation techniques. You can learn some simple methods during your pre-op appointments or use some guided audio or video resources online. Practicing these techniques in the weeks leading up to your surgery can make a difference. There are even Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs out there that have been shown to help with anxiety and can improve recovery times. In fact, a study (Broadbent et al, 2012) found that a little relaxation right before surgery can even help you heal faster.

3. CBT to the Rescue

Have you heard of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)? Just a few sessions can be a game-changer. During CBT, you’ll learn to spot negative thoughts, tackle them head-on, and develop some handy coping strategies. It’s about setting realistic expectations for both your surgery and recovery. One study (Powell et al, 2016) found that these kinds of psychological interventions help improve postoperative outcomes.

4. Lean on Your Social Support Network

Having your friends and family to help you can be a boost. Think about who your key support people are, who you can rely on before, during, and after your surgery. Discuss what you need from them and consider connecting with others who’ve gone through similar experiences. Social support can really help your mental health during the surgical journey.

Summary

Whether it’s arming yourself with knowledge, practicing relaxation, or reaching out to your support network, there are loads of ways to prepare yourself mentally for surgery. Remember, taking care of your mental health is just as crucial as your physical health. There are lots of things that impact your mental health so try and embrace some healthy habits such as smoking cessation, increasing exercise, eating the right nutrition, and alcohol moderation.

As you prepare for your surgery, keep this advice in mind. You might just find that prepping your mind can lead to a smoother surgical journey.

Wishing you successful surgery and a speedy recovery!

 

 

 

References:

  1. Ronaldson, A., Poole, L., Kidd, T., Leigh, E., Jahangiri, M., & Steptoe, A. (2014). Prospective study on the association between depressive symptoms and mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. British Journal of Psychiatry, 205(5), 372-379.
  2. McDonald, S., Page, M. J., Beringer, K., Wasiak, J., & Sprowson, A. (2014). Preoperative education for hip or knee replacement. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (5), CD003526.
  3. Broadbent, E., Kahokehr, A., Booth, R. J., Thomas, J., Windsor, J. A., Buchanan, C. M., ... & Hill, A. G. (2012). A brief relaxation intervention reduces stress and improves surgical wound healing response: A randomised trial. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 26(2), 212-217.
  4. Powell, R., Scott, N. W., Manyande, A., Bruce, J., Vögele, C., Byrne-Davis, L. M., ... & Johnston, M. (2016). Psychological preparation and postoperative outcomes for adults undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (5), CD008646.
  5. Mavros, M. N., Athanasiou, S., Gkegkes, I. D., Polyzos, K. A., Peppas, G., & Falagas, M. E. (2011). Do psychological variables affect early surgical recovery? PLoS ONE, 6(5), e20306.