Rating: 
Summary: This Book Might Help You, But I Didn't Like It
Review: "prepare for surgery, heal faster" has helpful though simple ideas in it. i was frustrated as i read it because the author refers very frequently to the companion tape. "if you listen to the tape, you will understand this." "if you want to benefit from this concept, listen to the tape. listen many times a day.". "these feelings will develop in you as you listen to your tape." i didn't have a tape; i would never have bought the book had i known it requires a tape to be effective. so i wrote the author about that, and i also wrote a review here alerting potential buyers to this problem.the author wrote me back, concerned only for my healing, and sent me two free tapes. i really appreciated the gesture. i have to be honest, though, and say that neither the book nor the tape helped me. they are very much not my style though there is nothing "wrong" in them; after listening to the tape several times and reading the book twice, i gave the book to an aunt of mine, and i didn't use either as i prepared for surgery other than on those occasions. the author also had one suggestion (about the tape, of course)that i thought was ill-advised. she said if you're listening, listen in a straight chair with no neck support so that if you get sleepy, your head will jerk upright and wake you up and then you can listen to the tape again. i totally disagree with this. i believe there is subconscious benefit to listening while sleepy or asleep; i believe also that people who are healing or who are apprehensive about surgery sleep; and i found that suggestion to be intrusive.finally the author calls the hormone cortisol "cortisone". ms. huddleston is very caring and well-intentioned and much of the information could be helpful. how many authors return e-mail promptly, let alone try to make amends and look out for their readers? but i am sad to say despite this generosity i still cannot recommend the book. that doesn't mean you wouldn't like it. best wishes to whoever reads this for your healing and recovery.
Rating:
Summary: This Book Might Help You, But I Didn't Like It
Review: "prepare for surgery, heal faster" has helpful though simple ideas in it. i was frustrated as i read it because the author refers very frequently to the companion tape. "if you listen to the tape, you will understand this." "if you want to benefit from this concept, listen to the tape. listen many times a day.". "these feelings will develop in you as you listen to your tape." i didn't have a tape; i would never have bought the book had i known it requires a tape to be effective. so i wrote the author about that, and i also wrote a review here alerting potential buyers to this problem. the author wrote me back, concerned only for my healing, and sent me two free tapes. i really appreciated the gesture. i have to be honest, though, and say that neither the book nor the tape helped me. they are very much not my style though there is nothing "wrong" in them; after listening to the tape several times and reading the book twice, i gave the book to an aunt of mine, and i didn't use either as i prepared for surgery other than on those occasions. the author also had one suggestion (about the tape, of course)that i thought was ill-advised. she said if you're listening, listen in a straight chair with no neck support so that if you get sleepy, your head will jerk upright and wake you up and then you can listen to the tape again. i totally disagree with this. i believe there is subconscious benefit to listening while sleepy or asleep; i believe also that people who are healing or who are apprehensive about surgery <need> sleep; and i found that suggestion to be intrusive. finally the author calls the hormone cortisol "cortisone". ms. huddleston is very caring and well-intentioned and much of the information could be helpful. how many authors return e-mail promptly, let alone try to make amends and look out for their readers? but i am sad to say despite this generosity i still cannot recommend the book. that doesn't mean you wouldn't like it. best wishes to whoever reads this for your healing and recovery.
Rating: 
Summary: Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster
Review: A close friend loaned this book to me so I could be supportive of a cousin who is facing surgery. I read the book and will send it as a gift to my relative, knowing it has useful insights. I found it concise, to the point, easy to follow, comforting, and best of all gives the patient a way to be an effective advocate for himself/herself. While an intelligent, professional book, it is easy to read and follow. Here's to good health!
Rating:
Summary: Made all the Difference
Review: A friend gave me this book just after I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. It, along with the tape that goes along with it, were my constant companions on the journey through surgery and recovery. It really helped me not freak out about everything. I was bleassed by having a benign tumor, but I lost my hearing on the left side and I still ahve numerous troubles from the tumor. I recommend it to anyone facing any type of surgery or long term recovery. I don't care what the circumstance, anything like that is freaky, and I think anyone on that path will find this book useful.
Rating:
Summary: IT WORKS!
Review: Absolute must for anyone who is having surgery and wants to feel calm and heal faster. I tried it myself and had a speedy recovery and none of the side affects of anesthesia I feared. I used tylenol for pain and left the hospital 2 days early.
Rating:
Summary: A very effective tool to reduce your anxiety and pain
Review: As one who has experienced several major surgeries, as well as working professionally with people facing surgery for over 20 years, I cannot recommend Huddleston's book too highly. I have used these elegantly simple steps myself and guide others to use them as they prepare for surgery. I have seen the whole pre- and postoperative experience transformed from one of fear and pain to one of peace and unexpected levels of comfort. Read the book and use the tape - you'll be very you did! ...
Rating:
Summary: If you fear surgery, read this book and relax with the tape.
Review: For over three years,I had severe hip pain and knew I needed a hip replacement. Being a nurse, and knowing all the risks, I put the inevitable off (out of fear). A friend gave me the book and audio tape "Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster" by Peggy Huddleston. After reading the book and listening to the tape one to two times a day, I had the courage to call an Orthopedic Surgeon and make an appointment. I was scheduled for surgery eight weeks later. During the eight weeks, I reread the book and listened to the relaxation/healing tape one to two times a day. On the day of surgery, I was completely relaxed and at peace. I went into the OR confident everything would turn out well, which it did. I have made a full recovery. I continue using the tape for relaxation. This book and tape has helped my friends and acquaintances prepare for their surgery with less fear. By reading this book and listening to the relaxation tape, you will be able to face your surgery without fear.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent and very ...
Review: Huddleston walks the reader through a variety of techniques including relaxation, visualization and the use of "healing statements". She stresses the importance of communicating w/ your doctors and having them support you as needed. While one reviewer has claimed to be disheartened by the frequent reference to the audio tape. I read this book and used most of the techniques without the use of the tape, and was very successful. I think that the tape may be useful for someone who has little or no experience with meditation or relaxation. I found my background in meditation to be enough.
Rating: 
Summary: If you are having surgery, this book may not be helpful
Review: I am writing this review so others won't be as disappointed as I was abt something so important as advice on healing from surgery. I ordered this book and the tape that goes with it, really believing that if I used the author's tips to visualize my own quick recovery following major abdominal surgery, I would "heal faster" as the book suggests. I was disappointed. Both sides of the audiotape, which the author advertises incessantly as integral to recovery throughout the book, have the same thing on them (one side has a sound over the author's voice, like a heartbeat/the other side is just voice: you could get the same relaxation language from any yoga teacher/class in "shavasana".) The book itself is mostly an accumulation of small paragraphs re: anecdotal evidence for the power of relaxation; but gives advice that may not be too practical for dealing with anesthesiologists, and as I learned thru experience, not really possible with big hospital-type settings where one might have to walk into an operating room, and never be laying on a gurney trying to relax with the tape ( a big false assumption in her book's use). This book may help a little if you know nothing abt how to use meditation to relax, but you can get what you need with much less proselytizing other places and by trusting your instincts. I think this book is a (...). Not too much practical advice.
Rating:
Summary: An RN's review
Review: I coordinate a cardiac rehabilitation program and use this tape as part of the stress management education. Although the title refers to surgical healing, there is no mention of surgery during the tape. All my patients report a relaxation response from listening to the tape in class, and many have requested the title and source for home use. I would recommend it to anyone.
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