The prospect of surgery can turn the strongest of us into wimps. Who wouldn’t feel helpless, lying sedated, surrounded by a bunch of masked people armed with sharp instruments, poised to pierce your skin?

You may not be able to change that scenario, but preparing yourself mentally and physically for surgery can have an impact on the outcome—how quickly you heal, maybe even how much pain you feel.

Advice for preparing for surgery is not one-size-fits-all, and depends on severity of the procedure, your personality, your health going in and advice from your surgeon and family doctor. Picking and choosing what makes sense for you from the following tips can help you feel more in control—a full member of the team working to get your body well.The prospect of surgery can turn the strongest of us into wimps. Who wouldn’t feel helpless, lying sedated, surrounded by a bunch of masked people armed with sharp instruments, poised to pierce your skin?

You may not be able to change that scenario, but preparing yourself mentally and physically for surgery can have an impact on the outcome—how quickly you heal, maybe even how much pain you feel.

Advice for preparing for surgery is not one-size-fits-all, and depends on severity of the procedure, your personality, your health going in and advice from your surgeon and family doctor. Picking and choosing what makes sense for you from the following tips can help you feel more in control—a full member of the team working to get your body well.The prospect of surgery can turn the strongest of us into wimps. Who wouldn’t feel helpless, lying sedated, surrounded by a bunch of masked people armed with sharp instruments, poised to pierce your skin?

You may not be able to change that scenario, but preparing yourself mentally and physically for surgery can have an impact on the outcome—how quickly you heal, maybe even how much pain you feel.

Advice for preparing for surgery is not one-size-fits-all, and depends on severity of the procedure, your personality, your health going in and advice from your surgeon and family doctor. Picking and choosing what makes sense for you from the following tips can help you feel more in control—a full member of the team working to get your body well.