topsurgeryinfo:

How to prepare mentally for top surgery

– Get your room clean and ready for you to be spending a few days in there. I’m buying a new duvet set and a few plants etc to make my room a healing and calming place.

– If you’re at university/college, get as much work done as possible a few weeks before the op. For me this meant doing 12 essays in 3 weeks – which was stressful but has meant right now I can really relax!

– Work on your sleep hygeine. With surgery round the corner you’re likely to struggle to get to sleep if you’re a worrier like me. So start winding down early, get into a routine. Your mental and physical health suffer hugely if you’re sleep deprived.

– Spend some time freewriting about surgery – get as much as possible out of your system so it’s not constantly on your mind

– Actually dedicate time to doing stuff you like, with friends. I almost have treated this term at uni like it may be my last – not because I genuinely believe that, but because it means I’m going out and enjoying spending time with friends while I’m not holed up in my room. It’s broken up my weeks and make me feel like I’m enjoying life a bit more.

– Get prepped for the days after the op. Get some books, some drawing/craft supplies, films etc. I’m planning to not start watching rubbish on Netflix till about 5pm because I know spending all day on Netflix is bound to depress me – so it’s a case of reading/drawing/writing and having friends round till then.

– Prep for the night of the op if you’re staying in hospital. I’m ready for this to be really hard – I’ll be alone in hospital potentially in pain. So I’m going to bring my copy of Harry Potter, my laptop with Netflix on it, and my headphones to listen to some podcasts.

Finally: Remember that it is normal to be scared. Being scared is part of any operation – and dealing with your mental health if you can should minimise that stress!