# Embody Your Power Podcast - Episode 20 Preparing for Medical Procedures
# https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHBb-CsZTUU  uploaded 20231213  3799s  views 18

[00:00:02] hi I'm Danielle Karen and in this podcast I'm going to share with you knowledge and tools that I believe should be accessible to everyone they're fundamental and essential to Being Human embody your power is an integrative model that Bridges science spirituality and ancient wisdom to give you the resources needed to live your fullest potential as a psychotherapist for over 16 years and now as a coach I help people know reclaim and embody their power on all levels it's my mission to help you connect to your unshakable resilience to know true power and freedom to be Sovereign and to remember your divine nature if you're wanting to learn tools to release layers of conditioning heal from trauma feel at home in your body have inner peace expand your capacity for Joy connect spiritually and take a

[00:01:06] journey with me to embody your power then this podcast is for you thank you for joining me together let's raise our Consciousness to help evolve [Music] Humanity have you ever had a traumatic Medical experience perhaps a doctor's visit surgery dental procedure or an emergency hospital visit left you with lingering physical or emotional scars sadly these experiences are all too common affecting many lives I've encountered numerous clients seeking healing from medical trauma including medical error and like many I too face my own medical trauma medical error being the third leading cause of death in hospitals in the United States underscores the importance of taking control of our

[00:02:08] health and not relinquishing our power blindly to medical professionals it's imperative that we do our own research and get multiple opinions and check in with our gut and intuition educating and advocating for ourselves is essential to embodying our power in this episode I'll provide you with an informative guide to tap into your resilience and ensure the best possible outcome for medical interventions before we dive into the strategies I want to extend my gratitude to Dr Peter LaVine the creator of somatic experiencing a body-based trauma healing modality his wisdom forms the backbone of our guide for preparing for medical procedures the suggestions I'm offering come from from sematic experiencing literature training and experience helping people heal from medical trauma a quick disclaimer I'm not a doctor so always consult with your

[00:03:10] healthc care professional regarding this information to set the stage let's explore an example from Peter LaVine in Maggie Klein's book trauma through a child's eyes a compelling read packed with insights for anyone who has or works with children I highly recommend this book at it's an incredible resource to help children access their resilience and reduce traumatic experiences and symptoms the story of 10-year-old Teddy illustrates the lasting impact of early medical trauma on his life ultimately shaping his path into adulthood let's start with an excerpt from chapter 7 Daddy Daddy Let It Go Let It Go please don't kill it let it go these are the ter terrified screams uttered by 10-year-old teddy as he Bolts from the room like a frightened Jack Rabbit puzzled his father holds a motionless tree shrew in the palm of his hand one that he found in the backyard and

[00:04:13] brought to his son he thought it an excellent and scientific way to teach Teddy how animals play possum in order to survive startled by the boy's reaction to his seemingly harmless gesture Teddy's father is unaware of the con contion that his son just made to a long forgotten event it was an ordinary event similar to the one that millions of us have experienced on Teddy's fifth birthday the family pediatrician and lifelong friend came for a visit the whole clan gathered around the doctor as he proudly showed them a photograph he had taken at the local hospital of baby teddy at age 9 months the boy took a brief look at the the picture and then ran wildly from the room screaming in Rage and Terror how many parents teachers babysitters and health care providers have witnessed similar mysterious reactions in

[00:05:15] children at 9 months Teddy developed a severe rash that covered his whole body he was taken to the local hospital and strapped down to a pediatric examination table while being po and prodded by a team of Specialists the immobilized child screamed in Terror under the glaring lights following the examination he was placed in isolation for 7 days when his mother who had not been allowed to see him for over a week arrived at the hospital to bring him home Teddy did not recognize her she claims that the boy never again connected with her or any other family member he did not bond with other children grew increasingly isolated and began living in a world of his own though by no means the only Factor the Hospital trauma experienced by 9-month-old Teddy was an important possibly crucial component in the shaping of Theodore kazinski the

[00:06:20] convicted unibomber who sent letter bombs to various people involved in technology and wielding corporate power argu his revenge against the same dehumanizing forces that overwhelmed and broke him as an infant now let's shift our Focus to a second example from the same book involving a child named Jeff who faced challenges following a traumatic hernia operation as an adolescent Jeff gathered dead animals struck by pickup trucks and cars he brought these animals home cut open their bellies with a knife and removed their intestines at 4 years of age Jeff had been hospitalized for a hernia operation when it was time to put the anesthesia mask on his face the terrified child fought so hard that the doctors had to strap him to the operating table following the surgery the boy seemed to snap he withdrew from

[00:07:24] family and friends and became awkward secretive and depressed it is likely that the terrifying hernia operation figured significantly in the formative process of Jeffrey dmer the serial killer who tortured raped dismembered and ate his victims the parents of both these men have spent many vangu hours trying to understand the actions of their sons they had witnessed the disconnection isolation Despair and bizarre behavior of the their children following hospitalization and surgery the evidence pointed to the possibility that these permanent behavioral changes were connected to traumatic reactions to routine medical procedures this is the end of reading directly from the book trauma through a child's eyes these stories emphasize the profound effects medical procedures can have shaping our future experiences and responses not every surgery causes

[00:08:30] trauma however surgery is an invasive procedure and a boundary rupture that our nervous system could naturally perceive as a threat in addition to the actual procedure there are other factors that can be traumatic if not present or done well including the bedside manner of the doctor being oriented and familiarized to what will happen step by step so we could feel prepared and regulated taking caution so that we are relaxed and ready before scary or painful procedures are performed and how much we feel in control let's look at anesthesia depending on the type of anesthetic used the brain may still perceive pain when general anesthesia is used without local anesthesia the brain still registers pain what's the significance if our brain is perceiving pain it can also perceive its under attack there may be instinctual drives to fight

[00:09:32] or flight however while under anesthesia our body is immobile in other words we are in an induced freeze response where there is high activation and immobility if the freeze continues our nervous system can get stuck in a trauma response which can interfere with our body's natural healing process in an ideal scenario using a local anesthetic and not a general anesthetic is optimal for our health pain reduction and Recovery however if general anesthesia is needed then it's very beneficial to request that a local anesthetic be used as well this is helpful because if we can reduce the pain signal that gets through to the brain it will Aid our recovery from a trauma healing perspective this is recommended however it may be something you need to advocate for with your doctor in addition while we are under

[00:10:36] the influence of anesthesia our subconscious mind can pick up on what's Happening and can hear what's being said in the operating room the comments of medical staff when we are under anesthesia can help or hinder us tremendously I haven't seen this personally but I've heard stories of people who came out of anesthesia with problems they didn't have before for example someone struggling to feel good about themselves after a surgery because the surgeons were saying degrading things about their body that their subconscious mind heard now let's explore strategies to minimize the potential impact of medical procedures starting with preparing children for these experiences when medical procedures are handled without sensitivity children can become fearful clingy withdrawn or even bullies they can also experience nightmares hypervigilance bed weding aggression

[00:11:40] chronic headaches upset tummies or depression when concern for children's safety is minimized or ignored it can have a profound impact helping a child relax when going into any type of medical procedure is f vital regulation in the nervous system is key one of the best ways you can help your child feel calm and regulated is when you are also calm and regulated they respond to your physiological State and emotions if you're going to break out in tears you may instill fear in your child identify the parts of yourself that might feel fear or anxiety and ask them to step back access your core self which is naturally resilient and regulated and bring that presence to your child there are three procedures that can be particularly terrifying for a child one being strapped down to an

[00:12:44] examining table especially if they're in a frightened state two being put under anesthesia without being properly prepared for what to expect three waking up in a recovery room alone or with masked strangers let's start with what you can do before the day of surgery Choose Wisely try to select a clinic or hospital that allows you the parent to work together with the staff for the emotional well-being of your child choose a doctor and hospital that are exquisitely sensitive to Children's needs look for doctors who use kindness playfulness distraction and honesty to work with children when they're fussy or resistant not against them you can tell by the doctor's words or actions whether they'll be able to alleviate your child's worries rather than compound them look for programs within hospitals

[00:13:49] that have social workers that use story and roleplay to prepare children for what to expect Orient your child to what they are going to experience so they aren't startled or surprised tell them the truth without unnecessary details children do better when they know what to expect if you tell them it won't hurt when in fact it will you betray their trust they will come to fear the worst when they can't rely on you to be honest children and teens undergoing surgery have been shown to be remarkably less frightened at hospitals with a staff that orients them to each step part of orienting is making a point for your child to meet with the doctors in their ordinary clothes before they are dressed in their surgical Garb and mask you can help your child feel more at ease when they can see that the doctor is a human being who wants to help them not some monster from outer

[00:14:54] space roleplay can also help them Orient to what they're about to experience have a dress rehearsal with dolls and figures and play medical kits have your child go through all the steps in advance by dressing up in the hospital gown using dolls or stuffed animals to play Operation with a very significant part of the process to orient your child to is the drug IND du state from anesthesia try to find ways to prepare your child emotionally and physically for this experience where they could feel like they might be floating spinning slowing down or feeling dizzy it's important to let them know that they might feel these types of Sensations in addition you can explain that the injection or IV insertion might prick for a second or two you can practice lying on the ground and relaxing by deeply and slowly inhaling and exhaling while counting

[00:15:57] backwards together breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth once your child is calm you can play together helping them imagine that they're floating on a cloud floating in water taking a Magic Carpet ride through the sky in slow motion or feeling light as a feather to help them get accustomed to feeling dizzy you can spin them around gently giving them plenty of time to rest and come back to their Center you can also use a sit and spin or a swivel chair to again spin gently and then have time to rest and settle encourage them to be aware of the sensations in their body Advocate that local anesthesia is going to be used for your child multiple Studies have shown that healing from surgical wounds is quicker and involves less complications when when local anesthesia has been administered along

[00:17:01] the line of the actual incision if general anesthesia must be administered for a particular procedure it's important that local anesthesia is given to your child as well if local anesthesia can be used alone and your child can be kept from being terrified that is generally the best option on the day of surgery remain with your child as much as possible before and after the surgery children do best when a calm parent can be with them during the administration of pre-operative drugs it's also best if parents can get permission to stay until the child transitions from waking consciousness to a drug induced sleep if your child is in a terrified State they should never be strapped down to an examining table or put under anesthe aesia this leaves an imprint deep in the psyche and nervous system it's important

[00:18:05] that time is taken for the child to be soothed until calm fear combined with the inability to move puts a child in a terrified shock reaction which can cause trauma ideally parents should be in the postoperative room when their child is waking up children benefit from seeing familiar faces when waking up instead of waking up alone as they can become disoriented and panicked the altered state from the drugs can cause a child to think that they died or something horrific has happened it's recommended to decide ahead of time who will be there for the child when they wake up if you're not allowed to be with your child then strongly advocate for a nurse or someone else to be there that the child has already met to make contact in a comforting way with the child to help them Orient to Space in Time by letting

[00:19:07] them know where they are and that the surgery is over if your child is feeling numb or their body feels weird or is disoriented in some way let them know that this is a normal feeling after surgery and won't last forever by gently touching and squeezing the muscles of their forearm you can help them get a sense of the boundary of their body again after the surgery is over rest in conserving energy speeds recovery all of your child's energy should be directed toward healing physically if your child is in pain have them describe the pain and then find the part of their body that is painfree or at least less pain P ful encourage them to alternate their awareness between the part that hurts and the part that doesn't this can often alleviate the pain you can also help them through the

[00:20:10] pain by distracting them by having them hum clap or tap their body when the medical procedure is an emergency once the emminent danger is over the first thing that you want to do is observe your own reaction use use the tools you've gained in this podcast to help yourself settle your own shakiness and regulate your nervous system by regulating your own nervous system you'll have a tremendous impact on your child's ability to regulate theirs reassure your child that everything is okay that the doctor knows how to make them better help them stop the bleeding fix the broken bone stop the pain Etc distracting your child right before the medical procedure can be helpful you can tell them their favorite Story play with them or reflect on pleasant memories if your child is in pain you

[00:21:15] can have them clap sing or tap themselves to lessen the pain or as I mentioned earlier you can have them find a place in their body that's calm and not in pain and have them Focus their attention there let them know that it's okay to cry and feel their feelings if children are old enough to understand tell them what will happen at the hospital or doctor's office for example the doctor will sew up the cut so it will stop bleeding or the nurse will give you a pill or a needle with medicine to make the pain go away and will make you feel better okay now let's shift our Focus to what we can do as adults when preparing for surgery after listening to how we can prepare children you have already gained a lot of helpful information that also applies to adults pre-surgery strategies for ensuring the best possible outcome with

[00:22:19] minimal traumatization choose your doctors wisely and make time to meet them before your surgery you want to work work with people who help you feel calm relaxed and confident here are some questions to ask what medication will be used and what are the side effects can you have a local anesthetic or pain blocker administered at the site of the incision even if you're going to be under general anesthesia if you're awake during the surgery what should you expect about the local or Regional anesthesia ask if you can listen to Pleasant music through headphones during the surgery Orient yourself to the stepbystep process that you will be going through to minimize traumatic experiences and symptoms it's important that we're able to orient to things before they happen this helps us regulate our nervous system and access our resilience by regulating our nervous

[00:23:23] system and preventing a threat response we can reduce the time we spend in the hospital the amount of pain we experience the amount of medication we need and even the financial impact find an advocate to help you navigate your experiences at the hospital I can't emphasize this enough think of someone you can ask to be with you if you were to need to go to the hospital for a medical procedure it's extremely beneficial if they can be there when the anesthesia is administered when you first wake up and if possible with you in the operating room it's important for you or your Advocate to be assertive so that you're able to ask the doctor all the questions you have so you can make an informed decision speaking of informed decisions it's important to get multiple opinions including those from integrative

[00:24:26] naturopathic and fun medicine practitioners put as much attention and time into choosing Doctors Hospitals and treatments as you would when buying something big like a car ideally your Advocate would be someone who is attuned calm and confident it's best if your Advocate can be by your side as much as possible during your time in the hospital identify any resources you would like to have during the procedure for example music photos or a security blanket or item and clear this with the hospital staff in advance write down instructions you wish to give the surgeon anesthesiologist or operating room staff prior to the surgery for example reassurance as you go under anesthesia requesting that the staff only speak positive ly during the

[00:25:28] procedure thus reducing the possibility of complications from the fact that you're highly open and suggestible and asking that you receive news of successful surgery immediately visit the hospital and recovery room prior to surgery to orient yourself and minimize surprises prepare yourself for going in and out of Altered States of consciousness practice visualizing yourself letting go into the anesthesia without activation requests for the surgery itself you can request preemptive anesthesia preemptive anesthesia means that in addition to the general anesthesia the patient is given a local anesthetic at the site of the incision this has been shown to greatly diminish post-operative pain if possible bring some relaxing music to listen to

[00:26:30] while under anesthesia when you are emerging from the effects of the anesthesia you may tremble or Shake sometimes with intensity this is a natural process your body will go through to discharge the activation from the surgery however the standard medical practice is to medicate the patient at this time because both patients and doctors tend to be afraid of the trembling so this may be something that you discuss with your doctor ahead of time so that you can be supported to have the space for this natural healing response of your body to occur in peace lastly it's helpful to pre-schedule an appointment for after the surgery that way you know there's immediate help for any lingering after effects in addition to these steps to vent trauma let's explore briefly a few other things that can support you before

[00:27:32] during and after medical procedures therapy or coaching it may be very beneficial to prepare for your medical procedure with a therapist or coach you may need help working through emotions so that you can feel calm and ready for the procedure it can also be helpful to work through previous surgeries or medical trauma to release any activation in your nervous system from prior experiences nutrition plan on preparing yourself nutritionally before and after your surgery pre-surgery nutrition is preparing your body to cope with additional stress start consuming more nutrients that support healing and boost your immune system protein fruits vegetables fats and hydration are particularly important your body actually needs more energy than it normally does even though you may not be as active

[00:28:35] visualization you can use visualization to walk yourself through the experience in a way that you would like it to unfold athletes use this to prepare themselves for games you can practice envisioning the operating room with skilled competent calm and confident medical professionals picture a successful surgery imagine Imaging your body healing smoothly and positively when you work with visualization engage all of your senses and repeat the process regularly to reinforce the positive associations and reduce anxiety hypnosis hypnosis works by accessing and influencing the subconscious mind and it can be particularly beneficial in the context of surgery when applied both before and after the procedure hypnosis may be used to reduce pain and direct the subconscious mind to focus on and accelerate the body's natural healing

[00:29:40] processes after care support for smooth recovery after surgery plan ahead for comprehensive support arrange for someone to assist with daily activities and consider meal preparation or delivery services to ensure good Nutri nutrition without added stress set up a comfortable recovery space at home stocked with all the necessary items identify people who can provide emotional support during the recovery period have a clear set of postsurgery care instructions this proactive approach will contribute to a more comfortable and supported postsurgery experience and Recovery as you embark on any medical procedure whether for yourself or your child I wish you the very best experience and a smooth easeful recovery remember your proactive approach can significantly impact the outcome if you'd like to explore more on

[00:30:42] this topic the resources used for this episode include trauma through a child's Eyes by Peter LaVine and Maggie kleene trauma proofing your kids by Klein prepare for surgery heal faster by Peggy huddon thanks for listening to this podcast if you found this episode helpful please consider assisting me in reaching more people by sharing it with others or writing a review together let's raise our Consciousness to help evolve Humanity for for more information please visit my website Daniel karen.com I'm Daniel Karen and in this podcast I'm going to share with you knowledge and tools that I believe should be accessible to every they're fundamental and essential to Being Human embody your power is an integrative model that

[00:31:46] Bridges science spirituality and ancient wisdom to give you the resources needed to live your fullest potential as a psychotherapist for over 16 years and now as a coach I help people know reclaim and embody their power on all levels it's my mission to help you connect to your unshakable resilience to know true power and freedom to be Sovereign and to remember your divine nature if you're wanting to learn tools to release layers of conditioning heal from trauma feel at home in your body have inner peace expand your capacity for Joy connect spiritually and take a journey with me to embody your power then this podcast is for you thank you for joining me together let's raise our Consciousness to help evolve [Music]

[00:32:55] Humanity have you ever had had a traumatic medical experience perhaps a doctor's visit surgery dental procedure or an emergency hospital visit left you with lingering physical or emotional scars sadly these experiences are all too common affecting many lives I've encountered numerous clients seeking healing from medical trauma including medical error and like many I too face my own medical trauma medical error being the third leading cause of death in hospitals in the United States underscores the importance of taking control of our health and not relinquishing our power blindly to medical professionals it's imperative that we do our own research and get multiple opinions and check in with our gut and intuition educating and advocating for ourselves is essential to embodying our power in this episode I'll provide you with an

[00:34:00] informative guide to tap into your resilience and ensure the best possible outcome for medical interventions before we dive into the strategies I want to extend my gratitude to Dr Peter LaVine the creator of somatic experiencing a body-based trauma healing modality his wisdom forms the backbone of our guide for preparing for medical procedures the suggestions I'm offering come from somatic experiencing literature training and experience helping people heal from medical trauma a quick disclaimer I'm not a doctor so always consult with your health care professional regarding this information to set the stage let's explore an example from Peter LaVine in Maggie Klein's book trauma through a child's eyes a compelling read packed with insights for anyone who has or works with children I highly recommend this book as it's an incredible resource to help children access their resilience

[00:35:02] and reduce traumatic experiences and symptoms the story of 10-year-old Teddy illustrates the lasting impact of early medical trauma on his life ultimately shaping his path into adulthood let's start with an excerpt from chapter 7 Daddy Daddy Let It Go Let It Go please don't kill it let it go these are the terrified screams uttered by 10-year-old teddy as he Bolts from the room like a frightened Jack Rabbit puzzled his father holds a motionless tree shrew in the palm of his hand one that he found in the backyard and brought to his son he thought it an excellent and scientific way to teach Teddy how animals play possum in order to survive startled by the boy's reaction to his seemingly harmless gesture Teddy's father is unaware of the connection that his son just made to a long forgotten event it was an ordinary event similar

[00:36:05] to the one that millions of us have experienced on Teddy's fifth birthday the family pediatrician and lifelong friend came for a visit the whole clan gathered around the doctor as he proudly showed them a photograph he had taken at the local hospital of baby teddy at age 9 months the boy took a brief look at the picture and then ran wildly from the room screaming in Rage and Terror how many parents teachers babysitters and health care providers have witnessed similar mysterious reactions in children at 9 months Teddy developed a severe rash that covered his whole body he was taken to the local hospital and strapped down to a pediatric examination table while being poked and prodded by a team of Specialists the immobilized child screamed in Terror under the glaring lights following the examination he was

[00:37:08] placed in isolation for S days when his mother who had not been allowed to see him for over a week arrived at the hospital to bring him home Teddy did not recognize her she claims that the boy never again connected with her or any other family member he did not bond with other children grew increasingly isolated and began living in a world of his own though by no means the only Factor the Hospital trauma experienced by 9-month-old Teddy was an important possibly crucial component in the shaping of Theodore kazinski the convicted unibomber who sent letter bombs to various people involved in technology and wielding corporate power arguably his revenge against the same dehumanizing forces that overwhelmed and broke him as an infant now let's shift our Focus to a second example from the same book

[00:38:12] involving a child named Jeff who faced challenges following a traumatic hernia operation as an adolescent Jeff gathered dead animals struck by pickup trucks and cars he brought these animals home cut open their bellies with a knife and removed their intestines at 4 years of age Jeff had been hospitalized for a hernia operation when it was time to put the anesthesia mask on his face the terrified child fought so hard that the doctors had to strap him to the operating table following the surgery the boy seemed to snap he withdrew from family and friends and became awkward secretive and depressed it is likely that the terrifying hernia operation figured significantly in the formative process of Jeffrey dmer the serial killer who tortured raped dismembered and ate his victims the parents of both these men

[00:39:16] have spent many vangu hours trying to understand the actions of their sons they had witnessed the disconnection isolation despair and bizarre behavior of their children following hospitalization and surgery the evidence pointed to the possibility that these permanent behavioral changes were connected to traumatic reactions to routine medical procedures this is the end of reading directly from the book trauma through a child's eyes these stories emphasize the profound effects medical procedures can have shaping our future experiences and responses not every surgery causes trauma however surgery is an invasive procedure and a boundary rupture that our nervous system could naturally perceive as a threat in addition to the actual procedure there are other factors that can be traumatic if not present or done well including the bedside manner of the doctor being

[00:40:19] oriented and familiarized to what will happen step by step so we could feel prepared and regulated taking caution so that we are relaxed and ready before scary or painful procedures are performed and how much we feel in control let's look at anesthesia depending on the type of anesthetic us the brain may still perceive pain when general anesthesia is used without local anesthesia the brain still registers pain what's the significance if our brain is perceiving pain it can also also perceive it's under attack there may be instinctual drives to fight or flight however while under anesthesia our body is immobile in other words we are in an induced freeze response where there is high activation and immobility if the freeze continues our nervous system can get stuck in a trauma response which can interfere with our body's natural healing

[00:41:24] process in an ideal scenario using a local anesthetic and not a general anesthetic is optimal for our health pain reduction and Recovery however if general anesthesia is needed then it's very beneficial to request that a local anesthetic be used as well this is helpful because if we can reduce the pain signal that gets through to the brain it will Aid our recovery from a trauma healing perspective this this is recommended however it may be something you need to advocate for with your doctor in addition while we are under the influence of anesthesia our subconscious mind can pick up on what's Happening and can hear what's being said in the operating room the comments of medical staff when we are under anesthesia can help or hinder us tremendously I haven't seen this personally but I've heard stories of people who came out of anesthesia with

[00:42:26] problems they didn't have before for example someone struggling to feel good about themselves after a surgery because the surgeons were saying degrading things about their body that their subconscious mind heard now let's explore strategies to minimize the potential impact of medical procedures starting with preparing children for these experiences when medical procedures are handled with without sensitivity children can become fearful clingy withdrawn or even bullies they can also experience nightmares hypervigilance bed weding aggression chronic headaches upset tummies or depression when concern for children's safety is minimized or ignored it can have a profound impact helping a child relax when going into any type of medical procedure is vital regulation in the nervous system

[00:43:30] is key one of the best ways you can help your child feel calm and regulated is when you are also calm and regulated they respond to your physiological State and emotions if you're going to break out in tears you may instill fear in your child identify the parts of yourself that might feel fear or anxiety and ask them to step back access your coreel which is naturally resilient and regulated and bring that presence to your child there are three procedures that can be particularly terrifying for a child one being strapped down to an examining table especially if they're in a frightened state two being put under anesthesia without being properly prepared for what to expect three waking up in a recovery room alone or with masked strangers let's start with what you can

[00:44:35] do before the day of surgery Choose Wisely try to select a clinic or hospital that allows you the parent to work together with the staff for the emotional well-being of your child choose a doctor and hospital that are exquisitely sensitive to Children's needs look for doctors who use kindness playfulness distraction and honesty to work with children when they're fussy or resistant not against them you can tell by the doctor's words or actions whether they'll be able to alleviate your child's worries rather than compound them look for programs within hospitals that have social workers that use story and roleplay to prepare children for what to expect Orient your child to what they are going to experience so they aren't startled or surprised tell them the truth without unnecessary

[00:45:36] details children do better when they know what to expect if you tell them it won't hurt when in fact it will you betray their trust they will come to fear the worst when they can't rely on you to be honest children and teens undergoing surgery have been shown to be remarkably less frightened and at hospitals with a staff that orients them to each step part of orienting is making a point for your child to meet with the doctors in their ordinary clothes before they are dressed in their surgical Garb and mask you can help your child feel more at ease when they can see that the doctor is a human being who wants to help them not some monster from outer space roleplay can also help them Orient to what they're about to experience have a dress rehearsal with dolls and figures and play medical kits have your child go through all the steps in advance by dressing up in the hospital gown using

[00:46:39] dolls or stuffed animals to play Operation with a very significant part of the process to orient your child to is the drug and due state from anesthesia try to find ways to prepare your child emotionally and physically for this experience where they could feel like they might be floating spinning slowing down or feeling dizzy it's important to let them know that they might feel these types of Sensations in addition you can explain that the injection or IV insertion might prick for a second or two you can practice lying on the ground and relaxing by deeply and slowly inhaling and exhaling while counting backwards together breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth once your child is calm you can play together helping them imagine that they're floating on a cloud floating in

[00:47:42] water taking a Magic Carpet ride through the sky in slow motion or feeling light as a feather to help them get accustomed to feeling dizzy you can spin them around gently giving them plenty of time to rest and come back to their Center you can also use a sit and spin or a swivel chair to again spin gently and then have time to rest and settle encourage them to be aware of the sensations in their body Advocate that local anesthesia is going to be used for your child multiple Studies have shown that healing from surgical wounds is quicker and involves less complications when local anesthesia has been administered along the line of the actual incision if general anesthesia must be administered for a particular procedure it's important that local anesthesia is given to your child as well if local anesthesia can be used

[00:48:45] alone and your child can be kept from being terrified that is generally the best option on the day of surgery remain with your child as much as possible before and after the surgery children do best when a calm parent can be with them during the administration of pre-operative drugs it's also best if parents can get permission to stay until the child transitions from waking consciousness to a drug induced sleep if your child is in a terrified State they should never be strapped down to an examining table or put under anesthesia this leaves an imprint deep in the psyche and nervous system it's important that time is taken for the child to be soothed until calm fear combined with the inability to move puts a child in a terrified shock reaction which can cause

[00:49:49] trauma ideally parents should be in the postoperative room when their child is waking up children benefit from seeing familiar faces when waking up instead of waking up alone as they can become disoriented and panicked the altered state from the drugs can cause a child to think that they died or something horrific has happened it's recommended to decide ahead of time who will be there for the child when they wake up if you're not allowed to be with your child then strongly advocate for a nurse or someone else else to be there that the child has already met to make contact in a comforting way with the child to help them Orient to space and time by letting them know where they are and that the surgery is over if your child is feeling numb or their body feels weird or is disoriented in some way let them know that this is a normal feeling after surgery and won't

[00:50:53] last forever by by gently touching and squeezing the muscles of their forearm you can help them get a sense of the boundary of their body again after the surgery is over rest in conserving energy speeds recovery all of your child's energy should be directed toward healing physically if your child is in pain have them describe the pain and then find the part of their body that is painfree or or at least less painful encourage them to alternate their awareness between the part that hurts and the part that doesn't this can often alleviate the pain you can also help them through the pain by distracting them by having them hum clap or tap their body when the medical procedure is an emergency once the eminent danger is over the first thing that you want to do is observe your own reac action use the

[00:51:57] tools you've gained in this podcast to help yourself settle your own shakiness and regulate your nervous system by regulating your own nervous system you'll have a tremendous impact on your child's ability to regulate theirs reassure your child that everything is okay that the doctor knows how to make them better help them stop the bleeding fix the broken bone stop the pain Etc distracting your child right before the medical procedure can be helpful you can tell them their favorite Story play with them or reflect on pleasant memories if your child is in pain you can have them clap sing or tap themselves to lessen the pain or as I mentioned earlier you can have them find a place in their body that's calm and not in pain and have them Focus their attention there let them know that it's okay to cry and feel

[00:53:01] their feelings if children are old enough to understand tell them what will happen at the hospital or doctor's office for example the doctor will sew up the cut so it will stop bleeding or the nurse will give you a pill or a needle with medicine to make the pain go away and will make you feel better okay now let's shift our Focus to what we can do as adults when preparing for surgery after listening to how we can prepare children you have already gained a lot of helpful information that also applies to adults pre-surgery strategies for ensuring the best possible outcome with minimal traumatization choose your doctors wisely and make time to meet them before your surgery you want to work with people who help you feel calm relaxed and confident here are some questions to

[00:54:03] ask what medication will be used and what are the side effects can you have a local anesthetic or pain blocker administered at the site of the incision even if you're going to be under general anesthesia if you're awake during the surgery what should you expect about the local or Regional anesthesia ask if you can listen to Pleasant music through headphones during the surgery Orient yourself to the stepbystep process that you will be going through to minimize traumatic experiences and symptoms it's important that we're able to orient to things before they happen this helps us regulate our nervous system and access our resilience by regulating our nervous system and preventing a threat response we can reduce the time we spend in the hospital the amount of pain we experience the amount of medication we need and even the financial impact find an advocate to help you

[00:55:10] navigate your experiences at the hospital I can't emphasize this enough think of someone you can ask to be with you if you were to need to go to the hospital for a medical procedure it's extremely beneficial if they can be there when the anesthesia is administered when you first wake up and if possible with you in the operating room it's important for you or your Advocate to be assertive so that you're able to ask the doctor all the questions you have so you can make an informed decision speaking of informed decisions it's important to get multiple opinions including those from integrative naturopathic and functional medicine practitioners put as much attention and time into choosing Doctors Hospitals and treatments as you would when buying something big like a car ideally your Advocate would be

[00:56:14] someone who is attuned calm and confident it's best if your Advocate can be by your side as much as possible during your time in the hospital identify any resources you would like to have during the procedure for example music photos or a security blanket or item and clear this with the hospital staff in advance write down instructions you wish to give the surgeon anesthesiologist or operating room staff prior to the surgery for example reassurance as you go under anesthesia requesting that the the staff only speak positively during the procedure thus reducing the possibility of complications from the fact that you're highly open and suggestable and asking that you receive news of successful surgery immediately visit the hospital and recovery room prior to surgery to orient

[00:57:17] yourself and minimize surprises prepare yourself for going in and out of all Altered States Of Consciousness practice visualizing yourself letting go into the anesthesia without activation requests for the surgery itself you can request preemptive anesthesia preemptive anesthesia means that in addition to the general anesthesia the patient is given a local anesthetic at the site of the incision this has been shown to greatly diminish post-operative pain if possible bring some relaxing music to listen to while under anesthesia when you are emerging from the effects of the anesthesia you may tremble or Shake sometimes with intensity this is a natural process your body will go through to discharge the activation from the surgery however the standard medical

[00:58:19] practice is to medicate the patient at this time because both patients and doctors tend to be afraid of the trembling so this may be something that you discuss with your doctor ahead of time so that you can be supported to have the space for this natural healing response of your body to occur in peace lastly it's helpful to pre-schedule an appointment for after the surgery that way you know there's immediate help for any lingering After Effects in addition to these steps to prevent trauma let's explore briefly a few other things that can support you before during and after medical procedures therapy or coaching it may be very beneficial to prepare for your medical procedure with a therapist or coach you may need help working through emotions so that you can feel calm and ready for the procedure it can also be helpful to work through previous surgeries or medical

[00:59:22] trauma to release any activ ation in your nervous system from prior experiences nutrition plan on preparing yourself nutritionally before and after your surgery pre-surgery nutrition is preparing your body to cope with additional stress start consuming more nutrients that support healing and boost your immune system protein fruits vegetables fats and hydration are particularly important your body actually needs more energy than it normally does even though you may not be as active visualization you can use visualization to walk yourself through the experience in a way that you would like it to unfold athletes use this to prepare themselves for games you can practice envisioning the operating room with skilled competent calm and confident medical professionals picture a successful surgery

[01:00:25] imagining your body healing smoothly and positively when you work with visualization engage all of your senses and repeat the process regularly to reinforce the positive associations and reduce anxiety hypnosis hypnosis works by accessing and influencing the subconscious mind and it can be particularly beneficial in the context of surgery when a applied both before and after the procedure hypnosis may be used to reduce pain and direct the subconscious mind to focus on and accelerate the body's natural healing processes after care support for smooth recovery after surgery plan ahead for comprehensive support arrange for someone to assist with daily activities and consider meal preparation or delivery services to ensure good nutrition without added stress set up a

[01:01:29] comfortable recovery space at home stocked with all the necessary items identify people who can provide emotional support during the recovery period have a clear set of postsurgery care instructions this proactive approach will contribute to a more comfortable and supported postsurgery experience and Recovery as you you embark on any medical procedure whether for yourself or your child I wish you the very best experience and a smooth easeful recovery remember your proactive approach can significantly impact the outcome if you'd like to explore more on this topic the resources used for this episode include trauma through a child's Eyes by Peter LaVine and Maggie kleene trauma proofing your kids by Peter LaVine and Maggie Klein prepare for surgery heal faster by Peggy huddleson thanks for listening to this

[01:02:40] podcast if you found this episode helpful please consider assisting me in reaching more people by sharing it with others or writing a review together let's raise our Consciousness to help evolve Humanity for more information please visit my website danielc caron.com that's d n i e l l e c a r r o [Music] n.com
