Surgery Jitters – Send them Packing!

Surgery can be a daunting prospect for anyone, but if you’re in your senior years, and find yourself facing this challenge for the first time (or for the first time in many years), it can feel even more overwhelming. The reasons for this are many, but commonly include concerns over how your older body will heal, and how you will manage post-surgery, especially if you live alone or with a frail partner, or if your adult children live far away or have busy lives of their own. With all this in mind, let’s take a look at how you can best prepare yourself for surgery so you head into it feeling as confident and relaxed as possible:

Don’t ‘white knuckle it!’

If you’re anxious or overwhelmed about surgery, don’t try to hide your feelings. Instead, talk to your doctor about your concerns – and be specific about what is worrying you (don’t be afraid to talk details). They will give you a realistic view of what to expect and how to manage. It is the unknown we fear, but armed with the facts, we are likely to feel more confident and relaxed.

“Read all about it!”

Depending on just how much you want to know about what your surgery involves, set yourself the task of becoming educated about it. Heading to the internet isn’t always the best place to start so, instead, ask your GP, nurse, or hospital specialist for recommended reading material.

Seek available support

You shouldn’t have to ask for it, but if information is not forthcoming about post-surgery support (such as equipment and aids, home help, meals on wheels, district nurse visits, transport etc) ask your GP, or staff at the relevant hospital department, for information on how to access this and other help (much of which may be funded).

Relaxation techniques

Don’t wait until you’re in hospital to start relaxation techniques. Talk to your GP or nurse about relaxation exercises you can start practising now to help calm your body and your mind. If you are feeling very anxious, enquire about medications to help you feel calmer and gain a good night’s sleep prior to surgery.

Plan and prepare

Nothing builds pre-surgery confidence more than having a recovery plan and preparing for it (this will also take your mind off the surgery!). Think ahead to meals, and stock your freezer and pantry with easy-to heat, tasty foods. Store them at a height you will be able to reach. Ask friends and family to help (where necessary) with tasks such as taking out rubbish bins, mowing lawns, collecting mail, and doing fresh-food shopping. Even if you live with a partner or spouse, you don’t want to off-load all your own chores onto them. Think about the extra time you may be spending at home as you recover, and stock your home with activities such as puzzles, crafts, magazines, and books (most libraries offer a home delivery service for people who are not able to come to the library in person).

Spiritual help

If you regularly connect with a religious organisation, let its leadership team know what you are facing. Pastoral care and reassurance, home visits, considerate enquiries, and the prayers of others, can all be of very real help as you face surgery – but only if you let others know what you’re facing.

Support groups

A huge part of feeling confident about forthcoming surgery is to connect with those who have ‘been there, done that.’ Often, the best way to do this is through talking to folk who are part of recognised support groups (such as Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ or Arthritus NZ. Support group staff will usually be able to put you in touch with people who have been through the same surgery you are to have, and who can provide realistic, lived-experience advice. Often, these folk have helpful suggestions you may not even have thought of.

Surgery ‘jitters’ are not at all uncommon, but they can be put to rest when you talk to the right people and arm yourself with a plan. Above all, there is no need to feel alone with your concerns – reach out to those who are ready and waiting to help.