Improve your surgical outcome with psychological therapy
Back in 1979, I designed a two-week habit-changing program that could be followed pre-operatively to make your RealAge 10 years younger than your calendar age and improve pre -- and post-surgical experiences. Now it's being expanded and is proving (once again) to be tremendously beneficial.
That's great news for the folks undergoing the 40-50 million surgeries that are performed in the U.S. every year! They encounter a lot of opportunities to feel anxious in the days leading up to "going under the knife" and afterward. (The way we often talk about surgery sure doesn't help you calm down!) And that has repercussions on their recovery.
A study in the Annals of Surgery reveals that in addition to physical prehabilitation (specifically designed exercises, dietary changes, stress-reduction practices, etc.), psychological prehabilitation reduces anxiety heading into surgery and cuts the length of time you spend in the hospital by an average of almost two days, lessens the amount of pain you feel and lowers your level of anxiety and depression post-op. And, according to UCLA researchers, it doesn't matter if you use CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy), or supportive psychotherapy.
So, talk to your surgeon about both physical and psychological prehab. You can also check out the website for the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies to find a practitioner near you. And use the guidelines for achieving a younger, longer, happier life that I discuss in my free newsletter at LongevityPlaybook.com. They include physical activities that improve resilience and psychologically supportive posse-building.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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