Successful Surgery: A Doctor's Mind-Body Guide to Help You Through Surgery

By Robert W. Baker

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 067151900X
• ISBN13: 9780671519001
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Pocket Books
• Length: 242 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.8" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Absolute #1 must-read surgery book

I have used this book through 2 surgeries, a laparoscopy for endometriosis and a hysterectomy. It's basically self-hypnosis, and I never believed in hypnosis; however, Dr. Baker makes a good case for its use not only as pre-operative preparation, to prime your body for healing, but also describes how patients under anaesthesia have been shown to respond to suggestions given to them through headphones. The premise here is first to induce a state of relaxation by focusing on each muscle group from your head to your toes, and relaxing all of them. Then, in this relaxed meditative state, you give yourself suggestions about how well your surgery is going to go, and how fast you will heal. It sounds corny, but the argument and the results are convincing. When you are embarrassed (psychological stimulus) you blush (physical reaction). If you give your body "instructions" about surgery in a receptive state, you can induce a physical reaction (faster healing). You don't have to believe in hypnosis. You don't even have to be awake -- I fell asleep frequently listening to the tapes -- because if your brain registers this stuff under anaesthesia, it will register it if you doze. Part of the instruction includes directing your body to shunt blood away from the area being worked on. I was told that the average blood loss in a hysterectomy is 500 ml, and that I lost 25. My surgeon was offhand about the numbers, but I have the surgery video to show only a tiny pool of blood -- this stuff works. After explaining how the technique works, Dr Baker presents a series of scripts. You record them, or have someone whose voice you like, record them, and customize each one for your own individual surgery by addressing your own concerns for it. There are scripts for preliminary relaxation, pre-op, emergency surgery, immediate post-op, and recuperation, as well as one for listening to during surgery, where you combine music you like with suggestions that the surgery is going well. At the time of publication, there was an option to send for pre-recorded tapes; I don't know if they are still available, but by making your own you can address all your own specific concerns. (And yes, some surgeons WILL let you have headphones during your operation.) It's not a really long book; it's simply written and easy to read; and it works. As soon as I find out someone is having surgery, I tell them to get a copy. 6 stars out of 5.

Excellent Book

I used the book and the tapes before, during and after my hysterectomy. I was so calm that the nurses took my blood pressure and pulse several times to confirm the readings! I was able to use the hypnosis tapes and an epidural rather than full anesthetic, and my recovery was very quick and easy. My doctor was very pleased. I highly recommend this book and the tapes for anyone facing surgery.

Helped my emotional state tremendously!

Facing my third surgery for endometriosis, the word, "nervous," didn't begin to describe my emotional state. Dr. Baker's book (and support tapes which can be created using the script(s) in the book or ordered separately) provided the calming effect I desperately needed. I was so taken with the information presented in Dr. Baker's book, I decided to order the set of surgical support tapes which he narrates. I listened to them before, during, and after surgery. In fact, the surgery tape was played continuously during my 7-1/2 hour operation. I believe the tapes were key to my healing and recovery. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to read and listen to Dr. Baker's caring words.