Tips to reduce stress

By Paul Konowitz, M.D., Medical Director of HealthAngle

The weeks and days before a procedure can be full of anxiety. Here are tips to make good use of the time while also reducing stress.

Understand Why and What

To prepare mentally and physically for a procedure, it is important to understand the reason you are having it, to know what is involved leading up to the procedure, to be clear on the procedure itself, and to know what to expect afterward in terms of recovery time and treatment effectiveness. Read the information your doctor supplies, do your own research and call your physician’s office if you have any questions.

Check Insurance Coverage

Call your doctor’s office and/or your insurance company to confirm that your procedure has been approved. Also, ask about your potential financial responsibility. Getting this information confirmed beforehand should reduce worry later.

Schedule a Follow-up

Scheduling a follow-up ahead of time will allow you to plan for that next visit. It will also help you know when any results from your procedure will be checked and/or discussed.

Review Preparation Instructions

Some procedures involve physical preparation, whereas others simply involve not eating after a certain hour. Be sure the directions for preparation are clear, and follow all instructions.

Ask About Traveling Home

Find out if you will be able to drive or otherwise transport yourself to and from the facility where you are getting the procedure. Some procedures are performed without the need for sedation or anesthesia that would impede driving or traveling alone. If you are to be sedated in any way, many facilities require you to have someone present afterward to take you home (if you do not have someone with you beforehand, they may cancel the procedure that day).

Know About After-Care in Advance

It is helpful to prepare for all aspects of care that will be needed after your procedure. Will you require physical help? Will you be able to stay home by yourself? Will you be able to take care of yourself? Will there be medications that will need to be obtained from your pharmacy after the procedure? Will you have dietary restrictions? When will you be able to return to work or other daily routines? Run these questions by your doctor or someone from his or her office.

Get Directions to the Facility

Get information about the route to the facility where you are getting the procedure, about where you can park and how to get from parking to the check-in building, or about how to get there via public transportation. Mapping this out beforehand (not the day of) will remove some stress of the procedure day.

Confirm Date and Time the Day Before

Call your doctor’s office the day before to confirm this information. Sometimes the time of a procedure changes due to doctor or hospital scheduling issues, and this could mean you’re there longer than necessary, creating an additional (and potentially avoidable) source of anxiety.

Ask Questions at Any Point

Do not hesitate to address any questions or concerns that you have about your procedure with your physician, dentist or other health-care practitioner. It is your right to feel confident that you are physically and mentally prepared for your procedure—and giving you this information is their job!