The prospect of a forthcoming surgery can be daunting; handing over control and putting your faith in the hands of the surgeon, trusting that their knowledge and skills will solve your health problems and restore your wellbeing. It can feel overwhelming.

It is only natural to feel scared, and it can be hard to distract yourself from the chronic background stress as the date approaches.

It is important that you ask yourself honestly – am I as healthy as I can be?

This surgery may be one of the biggest physical challenges you have faced for some time.

No one would attempt to suddenly run a marathon with no preparation.

It is vital to spend the time before a planned procedure preparing your body for the challenges ahead by being as active as possible, eating well and getting good quality sleep.

Often patients describe a sense of empowerment when they make a conscious decision to focus their efforts upon making themselves as ‘surgery-ready’ as possible in the weeks or months preceding a planned surgery.

Some people use this as a chance to re-set and to make changes that they have been intending to make for some time; finally deciding to address underlying health issues, such as high blood pressure or uncontrolled diabetes, or to replace undesired habits such as smoking or a sugar habit, with healthier lifestyle choices.

Rather than just hoping your body has adequate reserves to repair, regenerate and heal itself, there is a tremendous amount you can do before an operation to optimise your body, enhance your immune system and speed your recovery.

Working with the support of a qualified and experienced health coach can allow you to prime your body and prepare emotionally and physically for the challenges ahead; increasing the odds of a successful surgical experience.

Sessions are client-led; working at your own pace, focusing on your priorities and staying focused on your long-term vision, individualised plans are created and overwhelming challenges are broken down into bite-size, achievable steps.

It is well proven that people who engage with a health coach for support with their targets are significantly more likely to achieve their goals and, interestingly, much more likely to make sustained, long-term lifestyle changes.

The following are some of the areas in which a health coach can offer support.

Emotional Preparation

The prospect of your operation can cause fear and anxiety, which can escalate as the date of the surgery approaches. Often patients who have been chronically ill for prolonged periods will have struggled with ongoing pain, reduced quality of life, low mood and may find themselves losing hope of ever feeling well again.

Raised stress-hormone levels and negative emotions can have significant detrimental effects on the body as a whole; impacting the immune system’s ability to fight infection, reducing motivation to push forward with physiotherapy and impairing the healing process.

A health coach provides expertise in positive psychology and behavioural change; focusing on reducing anxiety, working through concerns, using deep breathing and relaxation exercises, positive thinking, visualisation and imaging techniques and long-term stress-management resources to help clients find calm and focus on their goals.

Nutritional Preparation

It is important to prioritise a healthy, nutrient-dense diet in the lead-up to surgery.

A health coach can help you consider if you are nourishing your body and boosting your immune system with the foods you are reaching for.

Quality protein is important to heal damaged tissues and fight infection. It is useful to consider eating a ‘rainbow’ of various colourful fruits and vegetables each day to provide adequate levels of phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals to maximise your health.

Healthy fats from oily fish, olives, nuts and eggs not only act as a source of energy for your body but are essential for reducing inflammation, aiding healing, may help ease anxiety, and are important for heart health, reducing blood pressure and reducing the risk of blood clots.

This might also be a great time to start to focus on reducing the intake of inflammatory processed, sugar-laden foods in your diet. As well as helping to reduce inflammation in your body at this critical time, this will also help to reduce sugar cravings, elevate your mood and boost your energy levels.

Physical Preparation

The thought of challenging post-operative physiotherapy and rehabilitation may weigh heavy on the mind of a pre-surgical patient. However, any improvements you can make in activity levels and muscle re-strengthening before surgery will prove invaluable in your ability to mobilise and commence essential physiotherapy as soon as possible afterwards.

Chronic illness or pain can be draining and leave patients feeling depleted and exhausted.

A health coach will help to motivate you, guide you toward safe activities, hold you accountable and remind you of your long-term goals.

Kick The Bad Habits

If you smoke, stopping as soon as possible should be prioritised before surgery; it can cause significantly increased risks during the surgery and in the recovery period.

It may be something that you have tried many times before, but with coach support and the resources they have available, your chances of success are enhanced.

Alternatively, if you know your intentions need instead to be focused on reducing your alcohol intake or overcoming your sugar habit, these too are areas in which an experienced health coach will be able to help.

Improve Sleep Quality

Inadequate sleep impacts your energy levels, your concentration and massively impacts your whole-body health and immune responses.

Health coaches have a wealth of knowledge and resources to help overcome short-term anxiety-related sleep disorders alongside long-term chronic insomnia. Sleep deprivation will have a significant impact on your recovery from surgery, so any problems in this area should be addressed as soon as possible.

If you or a loved one are feeling concerned or overwhelmed with the surgical challenges ahead, reach out for support and take control of your journey.

Nicki Chandraraj is a friendly, qualified and experienced health coach and personal trainer, working in collaboration with Dr Vijay Chandraraj, an IFM Functional Medicine doctor and GP. Both are available for one to one in-person consultations or online sessions.  Enquiries to nicki@optimalhealthandwellbeing.co.uk.