Prehabilitation is a proactive medical approach designed to prepare patients for surgery by improving their physical, mental, and emotional resilience. Surgery imposes significant stress on the body, and prehabilitation helps patients better withstand these demands while promoting faster recovery and reducing the risk of complications. By focusing on holistic well-being, prehabilitation ensures that patients enter surgery in the best possible condition. The process typically involves four stages: Screening, where a comprehensive assessment identifies areas of improvement; Assessment, which pinpoints specific deficits like physical fitness, nutrition, or mental health; Intervention, where customized strategies are implemented to address these areas; and Monitoring, to track progress and refine the plan as needed.
Prehabilitation emphasizes four key pillars: Nutrition and Diet, to optimize energy reserves and immune function; Physical Exercise, to boost strength, endurance, and recovery capacity; Psychological Preparation, to build mental resilience and manage anxiety; and Smoking Cessation, to minimize surgical risks and improve outcomes. By focusing on these areas, prehabilitation empowers patients to take an active role in their health. It not only enhances surgical success but also lays the foundation for a smoother recovery, reinforcing the value of preparation in achieving optimal outcomes.
Surgery always takes a toll on the body, even though its primary purpose is to treat a medical problem. It disturbs the natural balance of the body and causes stress. It can affect your physical health and your mental health too. As with any invasive procedure, there is a certain amount of blood loss, pain and scarring to deal with. Surgical interventions also come with risks of post-surgical complications, even when performed with skill and care. The “Prehabilitation” Program before surgery focuses on making the patient stronger to withstand surgery and set them up for an easier recovery and lower rate of post-operative complications. It is a multimodal concept, encompassing a range of factors that affect the patient’s holistic well-being. Generally, the more fit and active a patient is before surgery, the more likely they are to retain higher levels of function after surgery. It is important to assess the patient and identify any areas of deficit before surgery. The emphasis, then, is on preparation.
Patients who have been diagnosed with a condition that requires surgery typically need some form of prehabilitation. There are 4 stages to Prehabilitation:
Screening – The healthcare team investigates the patient’s general health. This assessment covers their weight, pre-existing conditions, heart health, lung condition, general activity levels, habits and their mental wellbeing. The objective of this assessment is to take a holistic look at the patient’s condition and identify any areas that can be improved.
Assessment – After preliminary screening, the healthcare providers identify specific areas of improvement. This could be physical fitness, diet, emotional health or smoking. The doctor may then direct you to specialists who conduct special tests to understand the problem better. These tests help bring crucial information to light, that can be used to create a plan of action.
Intervention – The healthcare team analyses the data collected in the assessment phase and uses it to create strategic interventions that benefit the patient. The interventions are specific and customized to the patient’s needs. This means that they go beyond providing general guidelines, focusing on working through difficulties and creating value for the patient. The doctors provide information and support the patient through the whole process.
Monitoring – Monitoring the Prehabilitation process is critical to make sure it is actually working. The healthcare team may observe the impact of the interventions for a few weeks and then adjust the prehabilitation program. Closing the feedback loop here provides optimum results.
Prehabilitation programs usually focus on 4 primary interventions:
Nutrition and Diet – Patients are advised to eat balanced nutritional meals in the time leading up to the surgery. They may be given a diet plan by a nutritionist, to ensure they are getting the correct amounts of the macro- and micro-nutrients they need to be at optimal health, for their weight, height and age. Including a variety of foods in your diet is a good way to ensure you get all the different nutrients you need. The patient may be encouraged to include lean protein, that is usually deficient in the average Indian’s diet. Patients with high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes may be given special diets to account for the risk of their pre-existing condition. Having a healthy weight before surgery can reduce the patient’s risk of complications, and diet plays a key role in this.
Physical Exercise – Physical fitness significantly impacts the patient’s overall health, metabolism, and recovery from stress. Patients may be recommended high intensity interval training (HIIT), cardio, swimming or strength training. However, the intensity is adjusted to each patient. More fragile patients may be recommended low-intensity exercise such as going on walks, functional training or climbing stairs. Physical activity and movement help improve strength, muscle mass, metabolism and balance, while lowering body fat and cholesterol levels. Exercise also improves body image, self-esteem and quality of sleep, all of which contribute to a healthier patient.
Psychological Preparation – Mental health and attitude can play a crucial role in post-surgical recovery. Patients need support and coping strategies to fall back on. Counselling can provide a good outlet for patients to discuss their fears and anxieties without judgement. The counsellor is also a trustworthy guide to take help from to formulate healthy coping strategies that work for the patient. Patients are also known to benefit from meditation and relaxation techniques like guided imagery, breathing exercises and affirmations, to prepare for surgery. In addition to this, “Prehabilitation” is also a period to connect with family and close friends. It is time to gather your community and support system together. Patients who have healthy relationships with their immediate community are stronger and more emotionally prepared to withstand hardships.
Smoking Cessation – Smoking cessation is an important part of Prehabilitation. It greatly reduces the risk of complications during and after the surgery. This includes the chances of wound infection, airway hyper-reactivity and breathing complications. These risks reduce drastically after just 4 weeks of stopping tobacco use. Patients who smoke will be advised to stop smoking as soon as possible, but especially in the weeks prior to surgery. The patient will be educated on the harms of smoking, and the benefits of stopping. The doctor may use the 5A approach which involves – Asking, Advising, Assessing, Assisting and Arranging. A counsellor can be consulted to provide expertise in this area and provide support to the patient. The patient may also be supported with nicotine replacements that can be weaned off slowly. In addition to this, patients may also be advised to quit drinking alcohol and consuming any other narcotics in general and specifically before surgery. In the interest of your own safety, it is advised to be honest and forthcoming with your doctor about your behaviors.
Prehabilitation is a proactive and empowering approach in cancer treatment. It prepares patients to face the physical and emotional demands of therapy and surgery. Cancer treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, often challenge the body’s resilience, but prehabilitation ensures patients are better equipped to manage these stressess. The cornerstone of prehabilitation in cancer care is enhancing overall fitness before treatment begins. Physical exercise tailored to the patient’s condition improves cardiovascular health, strength, and stamina, reducing post-treatment fatigue and complications. Nutritional optimization is another critical element, as it bolsters the immune system and aids recovery by ensuring the patient has the energy reserves needed to withstand treatment.
Psychological preparation also plays a crucial role. The stress and anxiety surrounding a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Prehabilitation offers counselling and stress management techniques, helping patients build mental resilience. Smoking cessation and lifestyle adjustments further reduce the risk of complications, ensuring a smoother treatment trajectory. By addressing these key areas, prehabilitation transforms patients into active participants in their care, improving surgical outcomes, reducing recovery time, and enhancing their quality of life during and after treatment. It underscores the importance of a holistic, patient-centered approach in modern cancer care.
If you want to know how prehabilitation can enhance your recovery and surgical outcomes, the multidisciplinary team at Kauvery Hospital is here to support you. With branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, Kauvery Hospital offers personalized care to help you prepare for surgery and achieve the best possible results.
What is prehabilitation and why is it important before surgery? Prehabilitation is a proactive approach to prepare your body and mind for surgery. It improves physical strength, mental readiness, and reduces post-surgical complications, leading to faster recovery.
What are the main stages of a prehabilitation program? Prehabilitation typically involves screening, assessment, intervention, and monitoring. These steps help identify and improve areas like nutrition, fitness, and emotional health before surgery.
What are the four key pillars of prehabilitation? The four pillars include Nutrition & Diet, Physical Exercise, Psychological Preparation, and Smoking Cessation. Together, they help patients face surgery with better resilience and recovery outcomes.
How does exercise help with pre-surgery preparation? Exercise improves strength, stamina, and metabolic health, which aids surgical recovery. Tailored workouts also reduce body fat and enhance mental well-being, helping patients bounce back faster.
Can prehabilitation benefit cancer patients undergoing treatment? Yes, prehabilitation boosts fitness, immunity, and emotional strength before cancer treatment. It supports recovery from surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation by preparing the body and reducing complications.
Is quitting smoking necessary before surgery? Absolutely. Stopping smoking reduces the risk of infections, breathing issues, and poor wound healing. Even quitting four weeks before surgery can make a big difference in outcomes.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet, Vadapalani & Radial Road), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and paediatric trauma care.
Chennai Alwarpet – 044 4000 6000 • Chennai Vadapalani – 044 4000 6000 • Chennai Radial Road – 044 40504050 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Maa Kauvery Trichy – 0431 4077777 • Kauvery Cancer Institute, Trichy – 0431 4077777 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 68011
