High levels of anxiety before surgery not only causes problems on the day of the surgery but also has a huge impact on a person’s recovery. Statistics show that 40 per cent of all adults undergoing surgery experience high anxiety and adverse effects, both during and after the surgical event.
While there is no doubt that medicine has advanced significantly over the past few decades, the challenge of high anxiety remains significant and, in fact, has even increased over time.
If you’re one of the millions of people living with chronic pain, then you know the significant effect it can have on your psychological health.
The Following are six dos and don’ts that spinal surgeons and people who’ve had back surgery say you should know before getting a spine operation done.
It's difficult to manage your daily routine with your Back pain. Despite the pain, You should walk around as much as you can so as to keep the back muscles healthy and toned up. This Regular routine of exercise will help the body weight in control which in turn would help in speedy recovery. This also reduces the chances of any clot formation in your legs after surgery.
You should read about the procedure and the surgeon offering the procedure. You should know all the possible options by which your problem can be solved. You should discuss the pros and cons of all the possible options available so that you can reach to an educated decision about your problem and its solution. Today, she’s mostly pain-free and does activities she once only dreamed of, like wakeboarding.“The more you know about what to expect, and all of your options and the potential outcome of your procedure, the happier you’ll be,” Dr Sahil Batra says.
This includes Diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen. You should stop taking them a week before the planned procedure. They can thin your blood which can cause more bleeding during surgery. Some other drugs including heart medications like Aspirin and Clopidogrel and supplements like omega-3 fatty acids can also thin your blood. You should tell your surgeon and anaesthetist about every over-the-counter and prescription pill you take. You may need to see your heart doctor prior to the surgery to adjust and stop some of the medications temporarily.
Its always better to see another surgeon or two before undergoing the surgery. It helps in the reassurance that your problem needs a surgical solution. It helps you to discuss the possible options available and what to expect from the surgery.Look for a surgeon who specializes in spinal surgery and who has performed your procedure at least a few dozen times. “It's a red flag if a doctor tells you not to get a second opinion or that they want to perform surgery as soon as possible,” Dr Batra says. There’s one exception to that: If you have a serious problem, like a spinal infection, a tumor on your spine, or spinal cord injury, or you are not able to pass your urine or stools, you may need surgery right away.
It can make a big difference in the way you feel and function. But it’s not a cure-all. “You have to take a whole-health approach to your back,” says Dr Sahil Batra, Orthopedic Spine Specialist at Tagore Hospital, Jalandhar. Keep a healthy weight, build up your core muscles with exercise, eat healthy food, and don’t smoke or drink. All of that can lower your chances of having back problems after surgery.
It can take weeks, and even months, to recover after back surgery. Your loved ones should know that. They should be prepared to help you, especially the week after. You will need a brace for a period of 6 weeks to 3 months after surgery. You may need someone to support you from getting up and moving depending on the type of problem and the type of surgery performed. Avoid Negative thoughts and stop thinking about worst-case scenarios. Stay Motivated and think about what you’ll be able to do after your procedure – maybe you want to play a sport, walk around the neighbourhood with your children or take your dog for a stroll on the beach. Keep your end-goals in mind and remember them whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed.