Surgery is a major event. It deserves extra attention. For those interested enough in the subject, there are a lot of good clues in what follows and in other material here. Many clinical studies have shown that anyone facing surgery, no matter how major or “minor,” can improve the likelihood of a successful outcome with certain non-medical techniques.
A recent comprehensive review of the mind-body literature relating to surgery stated: “Several hundred studies involving thousands of patients confirm that relatively simple behavioral interventions prior to surgery can demonstrably improve postoperative outcomes in such measures as reduced need for pain medication, shorter hospital stays, less blood loss, and fewer surgical complications.”
Dreher H, Mind-Body Interventions for Surgery: Evidence and Exigency, Advances In Mind-Body Medicine 14, 207-222, 1998.
I have made a study of which “interventions” or techniques actually make a difference. I’ve written a book, The Surgery Coach: Mind-Body Preparation for Faster, Better Recovery.
I work with people before surgery to help them be emotionally ready, by releasing unnecessary fears and concerns, by visualizing the entire event, and seeing the positive outcome. The purpose is to help you be in the best possible state. I am able to do this by phone or in person.
Many doctors are in favor of patients helping themselves with methods that bring them to the hospital in top form. Doctors and staff know that when patients enter the hospital in a high, positive state, they are more likely to do well. The entire surgical team is happier when patients are mentally, emotionally, and spiritually tuned up. Why? They know that well-prepared patients do better.
Hypnosis and Imagery before Surgery
I have made two recordings on CD that embody the results of the major research: Before Surgery and Healing After Surgery or Injury, available here.
There are good reasons to like Guided Sessions
Out of all the things you can do for yourself, the top performer – or very close to it — is hypnosis, or guided imagery. Discovering the evidence, some of which is summarized below, convinced me to study hypnosis in order to help more effectively.
Guided imagery, also called hypnosis, has been studied in hospital settings for over 25 years, now more than ever, as hospitals are realizing that their patients can get better faster. The cumulative research shows that recorded suggestion programs are effective for:
* Increasing immune function.
* Increasing natural killer cell activity.
* Lowering complication rates.
* Reducing and stabilizing blood pressure.
* Lowering anxiety, promoting peace of mind and relaxation.
* Less pain, greater comfort.
* Lowering need for pain medications.
* Reducing depression, raising mood.
* Lowering cholesterol and blood glucose levels.
* Minimizing blood loss during surgery.
* Reducing effects of chemotherapy, especially nausea, depression, and fatigue.
Clearly, you can get good results from a recording. The individual sessions that I do are tailored to the person’s concerns, so there is, I believe, even more benefit, even on the phone.
From an MD hypnotist’s perspective
One of the pioneers of complementary surgery preparation, Neil Neimark, MD, says that basic relaxation techniques, by themselves, are not enough. A surgery is a stressful and demanding body-mind event requiring preparation and training, like an athlete getting ready for a game, he writes. Athletes don’t just relax. They also train, preparing mentally and physically, building up strength and stamina. Dr. Neimark cites a review of the latest research showing “that the best outcomes from pre-operative mind/body interventions are derived when the intervention involves specific ‘training’ of the body and mind.”
Neil F. Neimark MD, Mind & Body: The Newsletter for Health and Healing, Summer 2002.
He delivers the “training” he refers to in a recorded hypnosis session containing specific suggestions of the body’s responses and comfort level. Dr. Neimark has made an excellent tape containing specific suggestions based on the research. He provides a pre-surgery session that instructs your body how to act during and after surgery. The research shows major improvement in results when the patient has received specific instructions, as compared to simple relaxation. http://www.mindbodymed.com/
Here’s Dr. Neimark’s quick summary of why to listen to a recorded pre-surgery preparation:
“Recent studies verify that listening to a properly prepared guided imagery cassette tape prior to surgery can bring about positive post-surgical outcomes in patients, including:
1. decreased blood loss during surgery,
2. decreased length of stay in the hospital and
3. decreased need for post-operative pain medication.
Additional benefits for many patients include improved wound healing and decreased anxiety.”
And please consider owning my book, The Surgery Coach: Mind-Body Preparation for Faster, Better Recovery. There’s a post with that title here.
