Tips for pre-surgery anxiety

1. Learn about the procedure

Often the fear of the unknown can affect your nerves and anxiety, so get to know your procedure and what you should expect throughout your recovery beforehand. Our motto is, research, research, research, the MYA website and blog posts have lots of educational information to help you understand the cosmetic surgery journey and learn about your procedure. The more informed you are, the more relaxed you will feel in the lead up to surgery. 

Your MYA team is also on hand to help, the team of expert surgeons, nurses and patient advisors have a wealth of knowledge to help settle your nerves and put your mind at ease. Jot down any questions you have in a notebook or on your phone in the lead up to your e-consults so that you can remember all the things you have in mind. Remember, there's no such thing as a silly question! 

2. Join #MYAWorld 

Join the MYA community and follow us on social media. Check out thousands of happy MYA patients as they share their personal journeys on Instagram, take part in our Twitter polls and read patient reviews on the MYA Cosmetic Surgery reviews Facebook group.

The MYA Forum is an open and honest platform for people to speak to real patients and learn more about the procedures we offer. Visit the MYA forum to see before and after photos, read patient stories and the most frequently asked cosmetic surgery questions. This forum community helps patients through their cosmetic surgery journey, offering advice and support along the way and is a great place to ask questions and make friends if you are feeling a little anxious about your procedure. 

We also suggest heading to the MYA YouTube channel to watch lots of helpful videos and patient Vlogs and to hear firsthand from the MYA surgeons and patients who have shared their experiences. 

3. Practice relaxation techniques

Breathing exercises and meditation are wonderful ways of taking a step back and focusing on settling your mind and body if you feel anxiety taking over. There are simple ways you can calm down such as taking a long bath, going for a walk, meeting up with friends, sipping a herbal tea with a good book or listening to your favourite music!

If you feel you need a little extra help then practicing some simple meditation can positively affect your stress and anxiety levels, even if you just try it for 5 minutes at a time, it’s a great way of taking a little time out from the world and focusing on yourself.

This meditation exercise is an excellent introduction to meditation techniques:

1. Sit or lie comfortably

2. Close your eyes

3. Make no effort to control the breath; simply breathe naturally

4. Focus your attention on the breath and on how the body moves with each inhalation and exhalation. Notice the movement of your body as you breathe. Observe your chest, shoulders, rib cage, and belly. Simply focus your attention on your breath without controlling its pace or intensity. If your mind wanders, return your focus back to your breath.

Maintain this meditation practice for two to three minutes to start, and then try it for longer periods.

 You can also download apps to your phone which have lots of great meditation, relaxing exercises and anxiety reducing tips and tricks to help calm you down pre-surgery. We recommend Headspace and Insight timer!

4. Talk about your fears

Reach out to a trusted friend or family member with your worries, a problem shared is a problem halved, and talking through your anxieties will help lift a huge weight from your mind. Don't keep your worries about having cosmetic surgery to yourself and risk overthinking, open up instead!

It might feel a little scary at first to open up about your worries, but it’s an entirely normal thing so don’t be afraid to reach out. If you don’t have anyone you feel you can talk to in your life you can also visit the MYA Forum to chat with other patients. The forum has thousands of MYA patients and posts to offer advice, share experiences and support each other, so you’ll always find a supportive friend to lend a kind word and listen to you.

5. Be prepared

The days leading up to your surgery date can be nerve wracking, so keep yourself busy by preparing your surgery day bag and making sure you have everything you need for  the hospital and during recovery. Feeling like you’re prepared and ready for anything is a great way to help you feel at ease, it’s also a great way of switching up your anxieties and helping yourself look forward to your op day, and the new life you’re creating for yourself.

If you’re not sure what you might need there’s lots of posts on the MYA Forum with packing advice, with a lot of patients recommending dry shampoo, deodorant, throat spray, slippers, healthy snacks and magazines, maybe even treat yourself to new comfortable pyjamas or loose clothing to travel home in.

Another great way to get yourself ready for surgery could be to prepare your meals in advance for your recovery period. Food prep is a great way to keep you busy and ensure that you have a range of healthy meals ready for you and your family, cook and then divide into separate portions and freeze, it's as simple as that. Preparing your meals prior to surgery saves you having to cook after your operation and allows you to relax and focus on healing. 

7. Trust yourself

With all the information and decisions to be made it can be easy to doubt yourself and your choices. You need to remember that you know your own body and mind, that you are capable of making decisions and you need to trust in your ability to do so.

If cosmetic surgery is something you’ve been considering for a while it can feel a little overwhelming to actually be going through with it all, you just need to focus on that feeling in your heart and mind when you booked in for your procedure and hold on to that positive energy if you ever feel those nervous thoughts start to appear.

If you are still feeling nervous on the day of your surgery, talk to your nurse and anaesthetist at the hospital they will help to reassure you, keep you calm and answer any questions. 

Share your pre-surgery anxiety tips with us on Instagram @myacosmeticsurgery xx