There are many physical, mental and surgical benefits to preparing for an upcoming surgery through prehabilitation – from quicker recovery times and reduced hospital stays to lower risks of infection and a more relaxed experience. At Benenden Hospital, we offer patients a personalised approach to preparing you for your surgery, through our preoperative care and support. Read our guide to the basics of prehabilitation.
What does prehabilitation mean?
Prehabilitation, in the context of surgery, means to begin your journey to recovery before your surgery has even begun by ensuring your general health and wellbeing is the best it can be. Surgery can cause a lot of stress for your body and your mind, so taking steps to ensure you’re in the best condition can mitigate some of this stress. Regular exercise, good nutrition and mindfulness are some of the key pillars to achieving this.
Prehabilitation exercise - the basics
The first step to prehabilitation is to increase your physical fitness and strength. Being in the best shape possible before surgery can not only speed up your recovery, but can also lower risks associated with your treatment and help you cope better with the anaesthesia.
During your preoperative assessment, your body mass index (BMI) will be checked. If your BMI is over 29.9, you might be asked to lose a specific amount of weight before your surgery. Being overweight or obese can put you at risk of the following:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
All of the above affect your surgical outcomes and can cause:
- Prolonged recovery after anaesthetic or your hospital stay
- Increased pressure-related injuries
- Increased chest and wound infections
According to a study from 2023 (NIH), high intensity interval training (HIIT) before surgery can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and reduce complications. HIIT is a demanding form of exercise so it would only be beneficial for people who are able to perform at this level. It’s not recommended to patients looking to have joint replacement surgery.
Prehab exercises generally differ depending on what type of surgery you’re having. No matter what the surgery, improved strength, mobility and flexibility are the aims of prehab exercises and will better your recovery process. For example, patients undergoing joint replacement surgery should seek to strengthen the muscle around the joint. Our Physiotherapists can guide and support patients through these exercises.
Nutritional principles for prehabilitation
Focusing on following a healthy preoperative diet will also help you to improve your post-operative recovery. If your eating habits are affecting your energy levels, mood or overall wellbeing, it might be best to get in touch with a healthcare provider. Our Nutritional Therapy service can help to cut through the confusion around healthy eating and tailor your nutrition to your individual needs. Our Nutritional Therapist also offers two programmes to kickstart your journey to better choices.
Your diet should include enough protein, vitamins and minerals to reduce your chances of infection, delayed healing and muscle-loss. Aim for a source of protein in each meal, this can be in the form of eggs, cheese, beans and pulses, fish or lean meats such as chicken. Protein works to boost muscle strength, wound healing, making new cells and repairing old.
Healthy fats and antioxidants can reduce inflammation and boost immune function too, which is ideal for post-surgical outcomes. Whole grains, nuts and seeds are a good way to intake these nutrients.
Lifestyle changes
Reduce your intake of tobacco, alcohol and drugs
Smoking before surgery can result in the following:
- Increase your risk of developing blood clots as it thickens your blood
- Weakens specific cells in your blood that help to fight infections making you more susceptible to infection post-surgery
- Less oxygen supply weakens your body, making it less effective at repairing its wounds and generating new tissue
Drinking alcohol before surgery can cause:
- Thinning of the blood, which can put you at higher risk of excessive bleeding during surgery
- Increased dehydration caused by alcohol can increase your chances of developing scars
- Alcohol interacts dangerously with anaesthetics, inhibiting the effects of your anaesthesia, therefore impacting what dose you’ll need
To conclude, smoking, alcohol and drugs can increase inflammation in your body, slowing your recovery, so it’s important to cut out these substances before your surgery. Your preoperative assessment nurse will explain how soon this needs to be.
How to prepare mentally for surgery?
It’s important to remember that you’re not alone if you’re experiencing pre-surgery anxiety. According to the National Library of Medicine, one global review showed that 48% of patients needing surgery experienced anxiety beforehand.
There are many techniques which you can use to help you relax and manage any worries or anxiety you have around your surgery. One technique doesn’t work for everyone, so try different ones until you find what works best for you. You could practice mindfulness, meditation, positive visualisation, breathing exercises or even yoga. Getting outside through walking or gardening can also be very grounding. If you are struggling with anxiousness before surgery, our nurses and Consultants are always happy to help to support and reassure you.
Even if you don’t feel anxious, it’s important to prepare mentally for surgery to ensure you remain relaxed and calm on the day of your operation.
Planning ahead so you know what to pack if you’re staying overnight at our hospital and having something to focus on during your wait, such as earphones or a book, can be helpful. Ensuring you have someone to drive you to and from our hospital and who will be there to support you during your recovery at home, will mean you have one less aspect of your surgery to worry about.
Prehabilitation at Benenden Hospital
If you’re looking to prepare your body and mind for enhanced recovery after surgery, you can access our range of private services for support:
- Nutritional therapy for prehabilitation dietary plans
- Physiotherapy and our sports injury care hub for fitness-related preparation and strengthening exercises
To take the first step to prehabilitation at Benenden Hospital, please book online or contact our Private Patient Team via Livechat or on 01580 363158.
Published on 10 April 2025