In some cases, anxiety occurs when the patient has no idea of what the surgery entails and is left to imagine what the procedure and the result will be like. The physician performing the surgery can provide a realistic idea of what the outcome of the surgery will be and a typical course of recovery.
When the anxiety is related to the surgery itself, and explaining the procedure does not provide relief, some surgeons will recommend prescription drug therapy to calm the patient enough to make the surgery possible. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are typically used for this purpose.
If the patient has had a bad experience with surgery, or has had a loved one who has, speaking with the surgeon may provide reassurance that this is a different surgery and a different situation.
