Undergoing a medical procedure can be anxiety provoking to you or not, depending on your outlook and the complexity of the procedure. However, regardless of the type of procedure you are having there are things you can do to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. By following the doctor's instructions and making sure you have a supportive environment, you will find yourself well prepared.
Consultation
Once your procedure is scheduled, your doctor should see you for a consultation. During this meeting, you will be informed of everything that is about to take place and given instructions on what you will need to do to prepare for your procedure as well as what you can expect in terms of recovery. This will be the best time for you to ask questions and be certain you understand everything that is about to happen and what is expected of you. You will want to take notes if there are specific things you need to do such as avoid food or take medicine. If you find medical procedures overwhelming, bring a friend or family member to your consultation for support and to help you remember everything you need to do.
Follow Instructions
It is vital that you do what your doctor tells you to when it comes to preparing for a medical procedure, especially when it involves taking medicine, avoiding medicines, or avoiding food. Many times a doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics prior to a procedure and instruct you to begin the regimen several days before the scheduled appointment. Doing so will help prevent infection and may be necessary to eliminate bacteria so the procedure can be performed safely. Not taking prescribed antibiotics may prevent you from having a scheduled procedure or result in you becoming ill.
Supportive Environment
Make sure you take the necessary steps to prepare for your procedure by adjusting aspects of your life. You can reduce the stress of a procedure by making sure you take ample time off of work for recovery and have proper supports such as family members and friends to help you during your recovery. People can be supportive by providing companionship as well as helping you with tasks you may not be able to return immediately to such as cleaning, grocery shopping and caring for small children or animals.
