Overcome Fear of Surgery
Hi, I’m Sharon – With 35+ Years of Health & Social Care Experience, I’m Here to Help You Find Calm and Confidence Before Your Surgery.
Worried that fear might take over on surgery day?
Imagine feeling calm and confident when the time comes.
Begin that journey now and take control of your experience.
Start here
Quiz: How High Are Your Surgery Anxiety Levels?
Take this quick quiz to discover your best way forward to overcoming those fears and feeling calm, confident, and fully prepared for your surgery.
Table of Contents
Is it urgent?
Is your surgery tomorrow or in 2–3 days? Do you need a powerful tool right now to help calm your nerves and get some sleep? I have just what you need, ready for you.
Feeling Anxious About Your Surgery?
Is the thought of your upcoming surgery keeping you awake at night?
Do you wish for calm and peace of mind, but find anxiety creeping in instead?
You’re not alone in feeling this way.
Many have faced this very fear—and there are gentle, effective ways to help you:
Imagine being able to…
- Calm your mind effortlessly
- Feel prepared, avoiding unnecessary stress
- Embrace a faster, smoother recovery.
Think of fear like being alone in a dark forest:
Right now, it might feel like you’re standing at the edge of a deep, foggy forest, where every rustle of the leaves makes your mind race with worries about what lies ahead.
But as you take a breath and start to step forward, a gentle breeze begins to clear the mist. Slowly, the path becomes clearer, and you realise there’s nothing hiding in the shadows—just an open path to calmness and strength.
You’re ready to walk through with confidence, knowing that you have the strength to face whatever comes your way with ease.
💡Understand Where Your Surgery Fear Comes From
What Is Pre-Surgery Anxiety?
Feeling anxious before a planned surgery or procedure is a completely normal response. It’s that fear of the unknown or the uncertainty about the outcome.
You might be worried about various aspects, such as the anaesthesia, injections, potential pain, or just being in a hospital environment. Concerns about the surgery not going well, or facing a lengthy recovery, can also contribute to your anxiety.
Or maybe you have had a bad experience before (or know someone who did) and can’t stop thinking about it happening again?
Physical Symptoms
- Increased heart rate
- Sweaty palms or forehead
- Shortness of breath
- Dry mouth
- Nausea or upset stomach
- Shaking or trembling
Psychological Symptoms
- Constant worry or racing thoughts about the surgery
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble sleeping
- Low energy levels
- Jumping at every little noise
Emotional Symptoms
- Irritability or mood swings
- Feelings of dread or panic
- Fear of losing control
- Excessive fear or worry about the worst-case scenarios
- Seeking constant reassurance from others or constantly researching the procedure online
Common Thoughts and Beliefs
- What if the anaesthesia doesn’t work, and I wake up during the procedure?
- What if I don’t wake up at all?
- What if I’m in pain after the surgery?
- What if something goes wrong, and I have complications?
- What if the recovery takes forever, and I can’t get back to my normal life?
Why Do You Feel This Way?
The Fight, Flight, Freeze Response
Did you know that the mind can’t tell the difference between imagination and reality?
Your mind reacts to your worries about surgery as if they are actually happening – putting the body into the primitive fight or flight survival mode.
It’s like being alone in a misty forest, every rustle of leaves making you jump and panic – your brain gets overwhelmed by the threats that aren’t really there.
But when the mist clears, you realise that there is nothing hiding in the shadows.
We can help the mist to clear.
Why Is Your Brain Triggering Anxiety?
In this video, I’ll walk you through the science of your fear, explaining how and why your brain reacts the way it does.
3️⃣ Ways to Manage Your Surgery Anxiety from Home
If you’re unsure which approach is right for you, take our Surgery Anxiety Assessment Quiz.
1. Breathing Exercises for Low Anxiety (+ free Video)
Breathing can be one of the simplest yet most effective ways to calm your nervous
system. Slow, deep breaths can shift your body from ‘fight or flight’ into ‘rest and
digest,’ bringing back control and calm.
Shall we try this together?
Please enter your name and email below to instantly receive my free guided breathing video in your inbox.
2. Self-Hypnosis for Low – Medium Anxiety (Download Now)
Hypnosis is a like a health spa for your mind— creating deep relaxation for your body and mind. Calming your thoughts and helping you visualise a smooth outcome.
I’ve created a 24-minute Self-Hypnosis recording designed to be listened to at night, just before sleep, to calm your mind and help you rest better, so you’re fully prepared for surgery.
You can listen to it:
- In the weeks leading up to surgery to ease constant worry and improve your sleep.
- Even the night before surgery, to avoid staying up all night and wake up feeling calm and in control.
- It’s available now for £25—start listening right away!
3. Hypnotherapy for High Anxiety
For deeper anxiety, hypnotherapy can be a powerful tool. Using a combination of solution focused therapy and hypnotherapy it accesses your subconscious mind, helping you reframe your thoughts and feelings about surgery.
This can significantly reduce the intensity of your surgery fears. After a few sessions, you’ll be able to approach surgery with a sense of calm and confidence.
One recent success involved a client, Lisa, who had a deep fear of needles and needed regular injections and surgery. Working together, we used hypnotherapy and the Rewind Technique to address her phobia. This is what her mother shared after Lisa’s surgery:
Lisa’s surgery went really well today. She was very nervous, but she stayed calm throughout thanks to the breathing techniques you taught her and the hypnosis audios she listened to all weekend. In the theatre, she didn’t even notice the needles and remained calm going to sleep. Even during the painful recovery, she was calm and allowed the staff to treat her without getting anxious, which was such a big difference from before. We’re incredibly grateful for your help—Lisa feels like she can now face her next procedure with much more confidence.
💪 Overcome Extreme Fear of Surgery or Medical Procedures (Tomophobia Treatment)
The 2-3 Session Surgery Phobia Treatment
This program is designed to help you overcome surgery phobia (also called “Tomophobia”), so you feel calm, prepared, and confident by the time your surgery day arrives.
Duration: The sessions are ideally once a week, spaced out over 2-3 weeks before your surgery date.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect in each session:
Session 1: Initial Consultation (Approx. 45 minutes)
In this session, we’ll gather information about your concerns and how they affect you daily. There’s no need to relive traumatic experiences; we simply focus on understanding your current situation. This allows us to tailor a treatment plan suited to your needs.
Some questions you might be asked include:
- How long has this phobia been a part of your life?
- How is it affecting you and those around you?
- How would your life change without this phobia?
I’ll explain why you might be feeling this way by exploring how the mind creates phobias and anxiety.
Then, I’ll outline the number of sessions you may need.
There’s no hypnosis in this session, but you’ll
- receive an audio download,
- breathing exercises,
- and other strategies to help you start feeling calmer and more confident right away.
Session 2: The Rewind Technique (Approx. 50-60 minutes)
In this session, we will focus on reducing the fear and anxiety associated with your surgery phobia using the Rewind Technique. This powerful method helps to gently reprocess distressing memories or fears without needing to relive them in detail.
Here’s how it works:
During the session, you will be guided into a state of deep relaxation. In this calm state, we will use visualisation to safely and comfortably “rewind” the fearful memories or thoughts related to your phobia.
The Rewind Technique allows your mind to process these memories in a new way, helping to reduce the intensity of your fear.
You are always in control, and there is no need to discuss the details of your phobia unless you wish to.
My role is to guide you through the process while providing a safe and supportive environment.
By the end of this session, you will often notice a significant reduction in anxiety levels.
You will also receive additional relaxation techniques to use at home, reinforcing your progress and preparing you for surgery day with a sense of calm and confidence.
Session 3: Further Rewind or Anxiety Relief (Approx. 50-60 minutes)
This session is only needed if we identify multiple memories to address or if other underlying anxieties are present.
For more complex phobias, additional sessions can help ensure a lasting sense of calm and confidence.
In this session, we may revisit the Rewind Technique to address any remaining memories or fears that continue to cause distress.
Alternatively, we may explore other tailored techniques to reduce anxiety and enhance your mental well-being.
The goal of this session is to further reduce any lingering anxiety, leaving you feeling more in control and at ease.
By the end of this treatment, you will have a set of tools and strategies to manage your mindset effectively, so you can approach your surgery day with a sense of calm readiness.
Surgery-Related Phobias I Can Help With
- Fear of needles or injections
- Fear of blood
- Fear of anaesthesia
- Fear of Doctors/White Coats
- Fear of surgical masks
- Fear of Hospitals
- Fear of dying
Other phobias that might seem unrelated to hospitals or medical procedures can also be treated. These might include the smells or sounds you might find in a hospital or, perhaps you have a fear of balloons or flowers and are worried that you are more likely to come across these in a hospital ward and wonder how you will cope.
“I can think of needles and see them and not feel petrified. I have also seen them on TV and not realised I have seen them until afterwards… I also feel I have been managing my general anxiety better and feel a lot calmer in situations that cause stress.
When I had my surgery although I was scared, I felt in control. After surgery I had to go back to the hospital to have packing/stitches removed from my ear when I was awake and although I was really scared, I used the techniques Sharon taught me and remained calm”.
Studies have shown it’s a very effective treatments for phobias.
“Investing in your health today is the best gift you can give to your future self.”
🌿 The 5 Benefits of Surgery Phobia Treatment
- Feel calm and clear-headed as you approach your surgery, ready and confident.
- Tackle your fears now so you don’t delay the procedure and can move forward with a positive mindset.
- Staying calm helps your body heal faster after surgery.
- By addressing your fears, you’ll feel empowered and prepared for the best outcome.
- Learn simple strategies to manage anxiety, making the process smoother and less scary.
⛔️ 5 Warning Signs: When to Get Help
- You feel paralysed by fear and can’t make decisions.
- You have persistent thoughts about what could go wrong.
- Thoughts of Surgery causes panic attacks or severe physical reactions.
- You recognise that your fear is excessive and irrational.
- You feel like cancelling your surgery because of your fear.
Meet Sharon – Your Therapist for Surgery Anxiety and Phobia
With over 35 years of experience in health and social care, Sharon has a unique background in supporting people through anxiety around medical procedures.
Learn More about Sharon
With over 35 years of experience in health and social care, Sharon has a unique background in supporting people through anxiety around medical procedures. Click below to discover her story and how she became a hypnotherapist dedicated to helping others.
3 Ways to work with Sharon
Surgery Anxiety Video Audit - Personalized Help Without Speaking to Me
Feeling anxious about your upcoming surgery, but not ready to talk to someone? Complete a simple questionnaire, and in 3–4 days, you’ll receive a personalized video explaining how your mind creates anxiety and offering quick, effective tools to manage it.
This video consultation gives you the same benefits as a session, but on your own terms and from the comfort of your home.
You can buy the Surgery Anxiety Audit here.
1:1 Hypnotherapy Sessions Online
Are you interested in trying a single hypnotherapy session to see how it works for you? You can book your first session with me online through my client portal here. Please register and schedule your session. Looking forward to meeting you!
If you have a surgery phobia (also called Tomophobia) based on past traumas or negative experiences (whether your own or from witnessing someone else’s), you may need 2–3 sessions to fully overcome it. Please start by booking a consultation (your first session) through my client portal.
SOS Help 1-5 Days before the Surgery
Feel like you have left it too late?
Is your Surgery in a few days’ time and you don’t know how you will cope?
Book a 90 min SOS session for 1:1 advice and support to calm your mind, reduce the intensity of your surgery fears and provide you with some strategies you can use to help you cope on the day. The SOS session is £150. Check availability here.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know
When should I start mentally preparing for surgery?
As soon as possible! Even if your surgery is months or weeks away, don’t let fear take over your life. Start with a free breathing exercise or download the self-hypnosis recording today. Even if tomorrow is your surgery, it’s still not too late to feel better.
Most common Myth: Will hypnosis make me lose control?
No, Hypnosis actually gives you more control. It’s not like what you’ve seen in movies—it’s a highly focused state of calm. Think of it like turning off the outside noise and focusing on the present moment only. You’ll be fully present and remember everything afterwards.
Can Self-Hypnosis help me avoid panic the night or morning before surgery?
Absolutely. Self-Hypnosis is an excellent tool to calm last-minute nerves and ensure a restful night’s sleep before your surgery.
You can use my bedtime recording both in the weeks leading up to your surgery and the night before to promote deep, restorative sleep. You can also listen to the recording whilst in the hospital waiting for your surgery, blocking out those hospital sounds and focusing on feeling calm and relaxed.
If you have surgery phobia, I recommend 2-3 online sessions (sometimes more) before your surgery date for the best results. Please book your session here if this applies to you.
What if I need help for my child or teenager having surgery?
I also offer treatments tailored to children aged 12+, as well as support for parents. Surgery Anxiety affects the whole family, and I can help address this together.
Please reach out here if this is what you’ve been looking for.
How much do your services cost?
Self-Hypnosis Recording: Listen from the comfort of your home to ease your surgery anxiety. Get it here for £25.
Single Hypnotherapy Session: Drastically reduce your pre-surgery anxiety for £75.
3-Session Surgery Phobia Treatment: Request a quote by email here.
SOS-Help: Feel like you have left it too late? Book a 90-minute 1:1 session for immediate support to calm your mind, ease surgery fears, and learn coping strategies for the day. £150. Check availability here.
What’s Next? Start with One of These 3 Steps
1. Take the Surgery Anxiety Quiz if you haven’t yet
Answer a few questions and get personalized suggestions to ease your surgery anxiety from home.
2. Download a Hypnosis Audio to practice calming techniques today
This recording is designed to be listened to at bedtime, helping you sleep better while subconsciously working to bring you greater calm.
3. Request a 15-Minute Callback to Ease Surgery Stress
Stressed about your surgery, pain or recovery? Let’s talk.
Plan SOS Anti-Panic Session for the days before Surgery
Learn more about the SOS Session
Is your surgery just a few days away, and you’re unsure how to handle the anxiety?
Book a 90-minute SOS Session for personalized, 1:1 support. Together, we’ll focus on calming your mind, easing your surgery fears, and giving you actionable strategies to help you stay in control on the day of the procedure.
Session Price £150.
Check availability here.
Quick Links:
How to Stay Calm Before Surgery?
Free Guided Breathing Exercise – Watch Now
Self-Hypnosis Recording for Surgery Anxiety – Buy Now
Get a Quote for The Surgery Phobia Treatment
Client Portal – Book your Hypnotherapy Session Online
Not sure where to start?
Hours and Location
Sessions are carried out online or in person at
Wellington Business Centre,
Belfast (Wednesdays only)
Appointments can only be booked once registered in the Client Portal.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare provider for personal medical guidance.