How to get in prime pre-op condition

When having surgery, it’s only natural that you want to make a good recovery. Yet, new thinking suggests the preparation, or ‘prehab’ stage, is equally important.

- Eva Gizowska reports

Every year, around 10 million people in the UK undergo operations on the NHS – from joint replacements and appendectomies to heart and cancer surgery.

But, while much focus is placed on recovery, experts are now highlighting the importance of preparing.

Prehabilitation, or “prehab”, is about getting in the best shape possible ahead of surgery - physically, mentally and emotionally. This isn’t about extreme fitness or rigid diets, but simple, focused steps that will help your body and mind cope better with the stress of surgery to support a faster, smoother recovery.

There are approximately 6.23 million NHS patients waiting for treatment, including surgery. The average waiting time for patients to start treatment is 13.6 weeks - with around 2.87 million waiting more than 18 weeks, and 197,000 waiting over a year.

“With many patients across the country waiting for the surgery they need, it is important to strengthen our efforts to provide better advice, support and care to patients waiting,” says Tim Mitchell, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

“The Government's Elective Reform Plan has outlined how they are going to improve prehabilitation. We hope that these proposals ensure that patients who need medical intervention before surgery receive it, and therefore avoid on-the-day cancellations.”

From building strength to eating well, managing stress and boosting immunity, doctors are increasingly recommending prehab as a vital part of the surgical journey.

“People often do not realise how much of a toll surgery can take,” says Dr Neil Agnew, Consultant Anaesthetist, at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Wales.

“Major surgery has been compared to things like running a marathon. We do high-intensity exercise. We look at their nutrition and diet to get that optimised as well.”

LUNG HEALTH