Surge Into Surgery Roadmap to Success

Don’t go into surgery alone, let our surgical wellness doulas walk WITH you on your journey to THRIVE with surgery! Yes, doulas are normally for pregnancy. The research in obstetrics is strong in that having a doula is incredibly helpful to the pregnant mom with all she goes through. We are starting to see more in surgical literature about the importance of being supported emotionally, and honestly this seems super obvious. It’s amazing to me that the western world hasn’t figured this out sooner. I digress. In these modern days, there are doulas for a lot more than pregnancy. I love the idea of a doula for my patients, and am creating a program that is part coaching and part nurturing, and this fit the definition of a Surgical Doula. It’s my opinion that everyone could use that support when going through the really tough scary time facing surgery.

Indulging in the Surgical Doula services of the Surge into Surgery package is an ideal way to begin your surgical wellness journey. Below are described the steps to your success.

Step 1

When you sign up online, you’ll be asked to answer the questions of our surgical wellness self-reflection. This will help guide your first session as well as give you an idea about the areas in your life where you need support. Remember this isn’t self-pity. This is mindfulness and self-awareness that is crucial for optimal surgical care and results.

Step 2

Two weeks before surgery is optimal for the first session. This time is used to get to know you as a person to explain in detail the tenets of surgical wellness- sleep, pain, inflammation, stress, nutrition/diet, and microbiome. We then evaluate how the disease or injury, emotional and physical symptoms, and concerns about the upcoming surgery are affecting those wellness tenets. You and the doula will come up with a game plan to focus closely on a few and broadly on all of those tenets to optimize your surgical wellness before, during, AND after surgery. The plan is based on your evaluation and the type of surgery you are having. The type of surgery is important because each operation has its own patient position on the operating room table, specific instruments and technique used to perform the operation, and changes to your body. You’ll also begin the Surgery Ready supplement if you haven’t already started.

Step 3

One week prior to surgery you will have your second session when your doula will check on your progress, make changes to the game plan, and encourage you to keep going towards the goal of pre-operative surgical wellness. You will also create “day before” and “day of” surgery plans based on where you need more encouragement and support.

SURGERY TIME

Step 4

2-4 days after surgery you will have your third surgical wellness session. You will update your doula on your recovery, and together will make any changes to the post-surgery wellness plan. You will also receive support and encouragement that we all need right after surgery when recovery is toughest.

Step 5

7-10 days after surgery is your fourth and final surgical wellness session. Again, this is to check in, to support and encourage you, and to make changes to the postoperative plan as you recover and can be more independent. You will also discuss longer term goals as the initial recovery period ends. Because you’ve participated in the Surge Into Surgery wellness program, you are welcome to continue working with your doula on general health and nutrition at the reduced rate of $125/hr.

Email us for a free 15 minute appointment to learn how our Surgical Doula can support you!