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Your Happy Place, Pre-Op - Oct 12, 2003 Blue Shield of California has a new tactic to ease surgery: The insurer sends members a 20-minute guided-imagery tape or CD. Patients listen to it several times before surgery. A soothing voice instructs them to visualize an operating room complete with a team of competent surgeons and a cheering section of their family and friends. Blue Shield of California has a new tactic to ease surgery: The insurer sends members a 20-minute guided-imagery tape or CD. Patients listen to it several times before surgery. A soothing voice instructs them to visualize an operating room complete with a team of competent surgeons and a cheering section of their family and friends. Next it guides them into a recovery room where they calmly awaken as their body continues to heal. It sounds a little strange, but: Studies have shown that patients who listen to the tapes experience less anxiety before surgery, and less blood loss and pain after surgery. They even need less medical care and medication (saving the insurer $654 of expenses per patient). Blue Shield also offers guided-imagery material to members with persistent conditions, such as heart disease, asthma and chronic pain. Check with your insurance company to see if it offers a similar benefit. |