Emotional Wellbeing – Preparing for Surgery

It is normal to feel worried or stressed when you are thinking about having a procedure or an operation. This can affect you and your family.

Worry and stress can affect how your body feels. They can make your immune system weaker, which can slow down healing. Stress can also make pain feel worse and may increase the chance of problems during or after surgery. This can sometimes mean a longer stay in hospital.

It is very normal to feel this way.

Helping yourself feel calmer before your procedure can improve your recovery and your overall experience.

How Improving Your Wellbeing Can Help

Looking after your wellbeing before surgery can help you to:
Feel more positive
Feel more in control
Sleep better
Enjoy a better quality of life
Feel more prepared for your procedure
Feel less pain after your operation
Recover more smoothly
Spend less time in hospital

Ways to Improve Your Wellbeing Before Your Procedure:

Information

Make sure you understand your procedure, including what will happen and when.

Write down any questions you have.

Ask your healthcare team for help or more information if you need it.

Exercise and Activity

Gentle exercise such as walking or swimming can help reduce stress.

Try to be active every day if you can.

Aim for 20-30 minutes of activity a day.

Being outdoors and getting fresh air can help your mood.

Doing exercise with a friend or family member can help.

Try to keep doing activities you enjoy.

Talking

Talking to friends or family about your worries can help.

If this feels difficult, you can speak to someone in your healthcare team.

Support groups can also be helpful.

Breathing Exercises/Relaxation techniques

Slow breathing can help calm your body and mind.

Try this simple breathing exercise:

Lie down and place a book on your tummy. Breathe in slowly and let your tummy lift the book. Breathe out slowly and let your tummy lift the book. Breathe out slowly, like blowing out a candle. Repeat 3 times.

Mindfulness, relaxation or guided listening may also help.

Try different methods and use what works best for you.

Healthy Sleep Habits

Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day

Have a calm routine before bed

Turn off screens before sleeping.

Read or listen to something relaxing.

Keep your bedroom dark, cool and quiet.

Avoid large meals before bedtime.

Healthy Nutrition

Eating a balanced diet helps your body stay strong.

Drinking enough water helps both your body and mind.

This can help you feel more ready for surgery.

Financial Wellbeing

Having a procedure or an operation, being in hospital and/or being absent from work can have an impact on your finances and may increase worries in relation to money. You may be concerned about how you’ll manage to pay the bills, avoid getting into debt and how your salary or benefits will be affected if you require time off work. These worries can exacerbate your feelings of stress at a time when you may already be feeling anxious.

Ensuring you are receiving the right support, are in receipt of your full entitlement through benefits or grants, and are financially as stable as possible ahead of surgery is incredibly important to ensure you can focus on your recovery.

Where to get help, advice and support

Edinburgh

Citizens Advice Edinburgh
0131 510 5510
www.citizensadviceedinburgh.org.uk

The Advice Shop
0131 200 2360
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/adviceshop

CHAI
0131 442 2100
https://chaiedinburgh.org.uk

Granton Information Centre
0131 551 2459
Email – info@gic.org.uk

West Lothian

West Lothian Citizens Advice Bureau
01506 432977
www.cabwestlothian.org.uk/contact-us

The Advice Shop
01506 283000 (option 5)
www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/31076/Advice-Shop

East Lothian

East Lothian Council Financial Inclusion Team
01620 827 827
www.eastlothian.gov.uk/financialinclusion

Citizens Advice Bureau Haddington
01620 824 471
www.haddingtoncab.org.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau Musselburgh
01316 532 748
www.musselburghcab.org.uk

East Lothian Debt Advice Helpline
0131 357 8830

Midlothian

Citizens Advice Bureau Penicuik
01968 675 259
www.penicuikcab.org.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau Dalkeith
0131 660 1636
www.dalkeithcab.org.uk

Welfare Rights Team Midlothian Council
0131 270 8922

Top Tips

Wake up the same time every day.
Talk to friends and family about how you feel.
Stay socially active if you can.
Ask for help if you need it.
Gentle movement and exercise can help you to feel better.
Spend time outside in daylight.
Write down worries before bed.
Try learning something new to build confidence.

Where to get Help

Lothian Wellbeing

https://services.nhslothian.scot/wellbeinglothian

The use of mindfulness and hypnotherapy to help prepare you for surgery.

The RCoA in collaboration with the BSCAH have produced a series of recordings for you to listen to help you relax before surgery and to develop a positive mindset about their procedure and recovery:
Preparing your mind before surgery

Daylight – (Managing Anxiety and Worry)

Daylight can help you to worry less and feel more in control.

https://www.trydaylight.com/nhs
or download “Daylight – Worry Less” mobile app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store.

Sleepio

An online programme to help improve sleep. https://sleepio.com/sleepio/nhs

Silver cloud – Computerised (online) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

An online programme that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It can help with anxiety and low mood using mindfulness and positive thinking.
NOTE: You need to be referred by your GP to use this service.