Five Steps to Prepare for Surgery

This program serves to help patients manage worries and fears that naturally arise when facing surgery by creating imagery and engaging supportive resources. By following five simple steps, patients can ease stress-related symptoms prior to surgery and benefit from an improved recovery time.

Step One: Create Imagery to Feel Peaceful
This section guides patients in the creation of their own personal imagery, producing feelings of peace and calm.

Step Two: Imagine Your Recovery
This technique helps patients learn how to turn worries into vivid, healing images of their recovery.

Step Three: Organize a Support Group
This part of the process engages family and friends in the use of healing imagery.

Step Four: Use Healing Statements
You can ask your surgeon, anesthesiologist, or operating room nurse to say healing statements, or create your own words for them to say.

Step Five: Meet Your Anesthesiologist
The day of your surgery you can let your anesthesiologist know you have participated in this program, requesting (if not contra-indicated for your type of surgery) to use this CD or music of your choice as you undergo your procedure.

We encourage patients to take part in all or part of the program, which includes:

• Program Instruction Pamphlet
• 20-minute relaxation CD
• 1-hour workshop with a nurse
• Telephone support with a nurse

To further your knowledge, a companion book, Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster is available in most bookstores or at www.healfaster.org.

Physician Testimonials

"Patients participating in this program come into the operating room calmer, and less afraid. They have recovery goals in mind and they are already striving to meet them. This program empowers patients at a time when they otherwise would be feeling helpless."

"Patients anticipating surgery often perceive their role as an intrinsically passive one. On the other hand, many of my patients who participated in this program tell me that it helped them recover from their operation with a sense of self-control and even a feeling of accomplishment."

"We perform complex brain tumor operations that generally even the calmest patients confront with some trepidation. Our most anxious patients seem to benefit the most from this program. I now recommend it to all my patients having tumor surgery."

"I recommend Peggy Huddleston’s program to all who require surgery and want to recover faster."

Patient Testimonials

"I cannot explain what a huge difference this made in the days leading up to surgery. This is a true gift to your patients."

"I think the program was beneficial to my entire family. As the patient’s wife, I found the relaxation tape invaluable."

"The workshop has been a keen reminder that my mind is a powerful partner in the physical experience and recovery from surgery."