Surgeries can be scary, especially when you don’t know what to expect. When it comes to back surgeries, many get anxious over it. This blog intends to make you feel comfortable about minimally invasive spine surgery.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
As the name suggests, the MISS procedure requires a minor incision. In open spine surgery, the surgeon will make an incision for at least 5 inches. Which might cause long-term pain in the spine.
In the MISS procedure, the surgeon will make a small incision through which a tubular reflector will be inserted. Through this tubular reflector, the doctor will access the defected spine area. The tubular reflector will only be removed after the procedure is done.
The significant advantage of this procedure is the time required for recovery. MISS can even be done as an outpatient operation. Since the incision is minimal, the recovery time is also minimal.
Preparing for MISS
First, a stat to make you feel a little less anxious, the success rate of MISS is over 90%. Technology had immense growth in the medical field. Other than surgery, people might feel nervous about exams. Preparation helps to get over the exam fear. Like that, enough preparation will help you get over your fear of surgeries. Here are some tips to follow to prepare yourself for your surgery:
- Nil Per Os (NPO)
- Discuss Your Medication History
- Discuss Your Current Health Condition
- Lifestyle Change
- Get Multiple Opinions
- Learn About the Procedure
- Have a Care Taker
- Prepare Your Home
Nil Per Os (NPO)
Nil Per Os is a Latin term which translates to “Nothing through the mouth.” It is vital to follow NPO before the night of the surgery. The doctor will advise you to not take any food or juice before the night of surgery. Trust your doctor.
Discuss Your Medication History
If you have had any other diseases over the past year, you need to disclose that information to your doctor. The doctor must know about the medications you currently take. Sometimes, the anesthesia or the surgery itself can react badly due to some other medications.
Discuss Your Current Health Condition
In addition to knowing about your medications, the doctor must also know about your current health state. If you have any other health complications, inform the doctor at least one week before the surgery.
Lifestyle Change
Avoid smoking before the treatment. Better to quit smoking entirely. Smoking can cause some complications in the procedure. Your doctor will inform about this to you. Follow the instructions, and to know about post-surgery smoking, ask your doctor.
Get Multiple Opinions
Your doctor can be wrong. It never hurts to consult more than one doctor about your condition. Sometimes, the doctor might suggest surgery for a problem that can be cured with medicines. So, it is better to consult more than one doctor before surgery.
Learn About the Procedure
One might get nervous about the procedure because they might not have knowledge about the surgery. As Yvon Chouinard said, “ Fear of the unknown is the greatest fear of all.” So, learning about the procedure can make you feel more comfortable with the surgery.
Have a Care Taker
Even though MISS is an outpatient procedure, having a carer accompany is a must. Driving home after surgery is not a wise decision. A carer can help you till you recover fully and function on your own.
Prepare Your Home
Back pain can be daunting for anyone who is suffering from it. Post-surgery you will feel better, but still, it is better to be safe than sorry. Prepare your home in a way you can function without any difficulty. Keep things you frequently use in an easily reachable place. Don’t stretch too much.
Final Thoughts
These tips are not limited to MISS; they can be applied to any surgery. It is normal to feel nervous about surgeries. Talk to someone close to you. Opening up to someone can also reduce your stress. If you have surgery coming up, be sure to follow these tips to avoid feeling anxious. Good Luck!