Prepare for Surgery Heal Faster™ Common Questions

The Department of Integrative Health at NYU Langone Health offers a mind-body program called Prepare for Surgery Heal Faster. This program helps you feel calmer before, during, and after surgeries, treatments, and tests. It will also help you recover better. The program is based on techniques developed by Peggy Huddleston.

Is this program only for people who are having surgery?  

No, this program is for patients having surgery, treatments, procedures, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, rehabilitation and tests at all NYU Langone locations.

How does it work?

The program teaches deep relaxation. This can help:

• Lower anxiety

• Calm your nervous system

• Support your immune system

• Improve healing

• Balance your body’s stress hormones and heart rate

Who can participate in this program?  

• Patients of NYU Langone Health can participate in this program.

• This program is offered to patients and caregivers in an outpatient setting.

How much does it cost to participate?

• This program is offered free of charge to patients, their families and friends.

What does the program include?

• A program instruction pamphlet

• An 80-minute relaxation MP3 (audio file)     

• A one-hour workshop with a trained facilitator

What do you learn from the program?

• How to reduce stress and feel calmer before treatment

• How to relax during recovery

• How to use healing imagery to support your recovery

• How to include family and friends in your healing process

• How to use calming music or healing statements to feel more at relaxed before and after your care

How to Enroll in the program

Contact us at 212-263-5767 or email us [email protected].

This program is made possible by a gift from the Lerner family.

Last Reviewed: 8/2025

©2025 NYU Langone Health. All rights reserved. Reviewed for health literacy. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care provider's instructions.