Although surgery should help to reduce pain and improve your shoulder function, the prospect of a surgical procedure can be intimidating and leave you feeling anxious or stressed. It’s completely normal to be a little nervous before or after your surgical procedure, but stress can also negatively impact your outcome if you let it overwhelm you, so it’s important to work to reduce stress as best you can before surgery and during your rehabilitation.
It’s not always easy to overcome your fears and conquer feelings of stress, but if you take a few simple steps before and after surgery, we’re confident that stress won’t cause problems for your shoulder procedure. In today’s blog, we share some tips for reducing stress associated with shoulder surgery.
How To Destress Before Surgery
If you change your mindset and commit to your recovery, you should be able to put some of those jittery feelings to bed. Here are some recommendations for managing stress before and after your shoulder surgery.
- 1. Become Informed – Oftentimes we are stressed about the fear of the unknown or misconceptions about our surgery and recovery. Become an informed patient, and odds are you’ll find that your anxiety is reduced. Asking questions about your procedure, the expected results and your rehab timeline can all help you feel more in control, which can help to reduce feelings of stress.
- 2. Focus On The Good – One thing we tell all our patients who are leery or nervous about pursuing a shoulder operation is to focus on all the good that will come from the procedure assuming it goes exactly as expected. Far too often patients focus on the “What if” and the extremely rare complications instead of focusing on all the ways their life will improve if they no longer have shoulder pain or have improved shoulder function. Start thinking about all the activities you’ll be able to do again once your shoulder has healed from surgery, and you may find instead of dreading the operation, you’re looking forward to it!
- 3. Enlist A Support Team – Sometimes our feelings of anxiety stem from the fact that we feel like we are going through the process alone. While you may be the only one undergoing surgery, you’re not alone in your journey to recovery. Enlist some friends or family for support and assistance along the way. See if a friend will give you a ride to and from the surgical center, or simply see if they will be willing to come to your pre-op appointment or bring a meal over while you’re recovering if cooking will be hard after your operation. Even if they are just willing to talk with you about anything other than your shoulder to take your mind off the procedure, it’s helpful to have a small support group to go through the surgery and recovery with.
- 4. Prepare Ahead Of Time – The more prepared you are prior to the operation, the easier life will be following surgery, and that can really help you destress. One of the best ways to get ready for the operation is to prepare the house for your return after surgery. You will not be able to move your shoulder as effectively shortly after the procedure, so get some things done around the house that will be easier prior to your operation. Pick up clothes, do the laundry, lay out some clothes that are easier to slip on, prepare some easy to reheat meals and pick up any tripping hazards. You’ll find some peace of mind knowing that your house is ready for your return.
- 5. Choose Your Surgeon – Finally, many people find that they are less nervous about their operation if it’s being conducted by a surgeon that they trust. And while you may have only met the surgeon a couple of times prior to your operation, trust your gut and feel free to walk away if you don’t feel like a priority or you have other concerns. At the end of the day, it’s your call who performs your surgery, and you will be less stressed if you have faith in the surgeon and your surgical care team. In the greater Knoxville area, we think you’ll find that Dr. Holloway can provide you with that peace of mind that your operation will be conducted as expected!
For more tips on how to deal with stress before or after a shoulder operation, or to talk to a specialist about a different shoulder issue, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
