American Holistic Medical Association Book Review

Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster

If every managed care medical director simply mandated that a copy of Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster (book with accompanying audiotape) by psychotherapist Peggy Huddleston be given to all patients undergoing elective surgical procedures, the cost savings could easily add another million to his annual salary with plenty to spare for the HMO’s executive team.

Faced with the prospect of high tech invasion of our bodies, most of us are quite sensibly terrified and confused.  These two states of mind are not (holistically speaking) associated with wellness and most certainly lay the groundwork for post-operative complications, delayed wound healing, and unnecessarily long hospital stays.

Huddleston quotes a number of studies in which relaxation techniques, guided imagery, and meditation significantly reduced lengths of stay.  Both the book and the tape have very effective programs of reassured calm and healing images.  To humanize the whole process, the author suggests interviewing both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist before-hand, with the sensible request that some healing words be spoken and some soft music be played through a Walkman worn throughout the procedure.