Pre- and Post-Surgical Hypnosis

"My surgeon was amazed at the speed of my recovery"

"Julie" had to have a tumor removed from her thyroid. She dreaded the operation and felt very nervous. She also had a phobia about needles. We created a hypnosis experience in which she informed her body of the benefits of the surgery and saw and felt herself going through the whole procedure calmly and effortlessly. We used imagery to encourage the body to heal easily and quickly. Julie listened to the self-hypnosis tape we made at least 20 times before the surgery. The day of the surgery she was so calm that her friends wondered what drug she was using! After the surgery was over, she experienced rapid healing and had no scar. Several months later, she needed a different surgery and contacted me again, saying that the hypnosis had helped so much, she wouldn't want to have surgery without it.

In her words,

"I was introduced to the benefits of pre-surgical hypnosis before having a major operation to remove a cancerous tumor on my thyroid. At twenty-five, I was anxious and scared for many reasons. First, as an individual with a long-standing needle phobia, I was terrified of the many shots and IV's I would have to endure and staying in the hospital for so many days. Before hypnosis I had never made it through giving blood without shedding tears. In addition to my irrational fear of needles, I was frightened of having a part of my body removed in such a violent manner.

I remember finding Betty's hypnosis advertisement and feeling intuitively that I had to call. I cannot tell you how glad I am that I did. Through relaxation techniques, Betty helped me access a deep subconscious level, a terrain I had never experienced before. It was in this place that Betty instructed me to lose my fears. Facilitated by her soothing voice, my body became prepared for surgery and the necessary role of needles. Betty spoke directly to my thyroid, telling it exactly what to expect and that the wound would heal quickly with minimal pain, swelling and bleeding. After my first hypnosis appointment, I found that my anxiety diminished. With the assistance of a pre-surgical cassette (which I listened to three times a day for two weeks prior to surgery), my family and I were astonished when I experienced absolutely no anxiety in the pre-op room. My nerves were completely numb as I was given an IV. and put under. During my two-day hospital stay, I continued to listen to Betty's tape. I was surprised to report to visitors that the whole experience was "a breeze." With the help of the post-surgical cassette, my surgeon was amazed at the speed of my recovery and condition of my scar after two weeks. He mentioned that the scar had less swelling and redness than most patients he had seen.

Betty made me another tape to help me prepare for jaw surgery in Colorado. I simply emailed a description of the surgery and visualization ideas that would help my arthritic jaw and degenerative joint relax. Another cassette followed. Again, the tape worked like a charm. I was more than prepared mentally and physically for the procedure. In addition, the post-surgical relaxation and visualization proved extremely helpful. I underwent nearly four months of physical therapy to restore jaw function. The cassette was an integral piece of my rehab. I listened to the tape every night, imagining my jaw as Betty described, 'free of popping, pain, and grinding noises.' With the aid of Betty's tape, my jaw joint and muscles achieved an extremely deep level of relaxation, absolutely critical to my healing. Two years later, I am still listening to the tape. I have found that all I need to tap into my inner core is Betty's voice. When life gets stressful or my muscles tense, I listen to her soothing voice (or sometimes merely think of it) and my body relaxes.

Surgical hypnosis has been an extremely powerful and transformational experience. As a result, I have received shots and had blood taken many times without anxiety or fear. My needle phobia has completely vanished. I am confident that this would not have been the case if it were not for my work with Betty."