If you’ve got a surgery on the books, whether it’s something that you’re needing to have done for your overall health, something that’s a bit emergent, or something that’s elective, it’s important that you prepare yourself correctly for this event. Undergoing surgery can be very hard on both your body and mind. By preparing adequately, you should be able to have a more favorable outcome and heal quicker following your procedure. So to help ensure you’re able to do both of these things, here are three tips for preparing yourself for an upcoming surgery.

Educate Yourself

Ideally, you’ll have been able to research your surgeon beforehand and choose one who has a good track record for successful surgeries rather than being sued for medical malpractice claims. With this bit of research out of the way, Samantha Costa, a contributor to U.S. News and World Report, recommends that you now educate yourself about the procedure you’re about to undergo. Your doctor will likely have given you some information about what’s going to happen, but you should also do some informed, scientific research regarding any questions you might have. Especially if you’re nervous about your surgery, gaining more knowledge regarding the procedure can help you feel much calmer and more at ease.

Follow Any Instruction You’ve Been Given

In addition to providing you with information about the surgery you’ll soon be having, your doctor likely also gave you some guidelines for how to prepare in the days or hours leading up to the procedure. To have the most ideal outcome, EverydayHealth.com advises that you follow any and all instructions given to you by your doctor or surgeon. This usually includes things like getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, stopping smoking or drinking, and either eating or not eating in the hours just before you go into surgery.

Think About How You’ll Deal With Pain

After your surgery is through, it’s likely that you’ll have at least some type of residual pain from the procedure you’ve just undergone. Depending on what type of surgery you have, how long the surgery takes, and the lifestyle you normally lead, the pain and irritation you experience will vary. Despite this, it’s important that you think about and discuss with your doctor what your options for pain management are. According to WebMD.com, some of the options you might want to consider include medication, massage, cold or heat, and relaxation techniques.

For many people, having surgery can be a scary and intimidating experience. So to help ensure that you’re able to face this hurdle with a positive attitude and give yourself the best chance of achieving a full recovery, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you prepare for any upcoming surgical procedures you might have.