Building confidence before and after surgery or injury

Building confidence before and after injury or surgery

When you’re facing surgery or recovering from an injury, it often feels like your body has let you down. You might worry about whether you’ll get back to normal, whether movement will hurt, or whether you’re doing the “right” things. It’s completely normal to feel unsure, frustrated, or even a bit scared, especially when everyday activities suddenly feel harder than they used to.

Before and after surgery, confidence can take a real hit. Pain, stiffness, and uncertainty can make you second-guess every step. You are absolutely not alone in feeling this way. Confidence isn’t just a mindset, it’s a key part of recovery, and it can be rebuilt with the right guidance and support.

Why confidence matters

Understanding the psychology of confidence

Confidence isn’t about pretending everything is fine or pushing through pain. It’s about knowing what your body is capable of, understanding what’s normal, and recognising your progress -  even when it feels slow.

Recovery isn’t just physical,  confidence, education and reassurance are are all key parts of progress.

When you understand the “why” behind each exercise and what sensations to expect, fear is replaced with clarity. And clarity builds confidence.

Consistency leads to results

People who feel safe and informed tend to stay consistent with their rehab. That consistency is what builds long-term strength, mobility, and trust in how your body moves.

Preparing before surgery

How prehab builds confidence

Feeling nervous before surgery is perfectly understandable. Prehabilitation (prehab) helps you feel prepared rather than overwhelmed. You build strength, improve mobility, and learn the exercises you’ll use afterwards so nothing feels foreign once you’re home.
VicGov’s Better Health Channel explains the benefits of preparing physically and mentally before surgery:
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/seeing-an-allied-health-professional

What a typical prehab plan looks like

A personalised prehab program often includes:

• Gentle strength work (e.g. quads, glutes, core for lower-limb surgeries; shoulder and scapular stabilisers before rotator cuff repair)
• Mobility exercises to improve joint movement
• Low-impact conditioning for overall fitness
• Education about what to expect in hospital and immediately afterwards.
• Learning early post-op exercises ahead of time
• Strategies for reducing swelling, pain and inflammation

Walking into surgery feeling prepared boosts both physical and mental confidence.

Rebuilding trust after surgery

The early stages of recovery

Once surgery is over, recovery really begins. Pain, swelling, or stiffness can make you doubt your body,  even when everything is progressing exactly as expected. Gentle, guided movement is what helps tissues heal, restore function, and rebuild trust.
The Australian Physiotherapy Association recommends early, guided movement after many procedures to support safe healing:
https://australian.physio/

What a typical rehab plan looks like

Rehab is structured in stages and matched to your surgeon’s protocol.

Early phase (Week 1–3)
• Swelling and pain management
• Gentle range-of-motion exercises
• Supported walking or gait retraining for lower limb or simple arm exercises for shoulders
• Safe activation of key muscle groups
• Clear guidance on what and how to avoid

Middle phase (Week 4–8)
• Progressive strengthening
• Balance and stability work
• Gradual increases in load
• Functional tasks such as stairs, sit-to-stand and controlled bending

Later phase (Week 8+)
• Higher-level strengthening
• Functional or sport-specific activities
• Hydrotherapy or Clinical Pilates for controlled, confidence-building movement
• Planning for long-term independence

Each phase is explained clearly so you always know what’s safe, what’s normal, and what comes next.

From recovery to resilience

Why rehab doesn’t stop when pain settles

Pain relief doesn’t mean your recovery is complete. Long-term confidence comes from restoring strength, balance and control. Many people continue with guided exercise, Clinical Pilates or maintenance physio as part of their ongoing wellbeing.

The bigger picture

• Prehab prepares joints, muscles and the nervous system
• Rehab guides how well and how safely you heal
• Lifestyle choices; sleep, nutrition, daily movement all support long-term recovery

Confidence develops when your recovery has structure, clarity and consistent support.
Explore our ongoing exercise and Pilates options.

Where EBR fits in

Continuing your care after specialist treatment

Once your surgeon or specialist completes their part of your treatment, physiotherapy becomes the next essential step. Our physiotherapists work closely with specialists across Melbourne to ensure your rehab aligns with your medical plan.

Feeling supported makes it easier to rebuild confidence. Our goal is to guide you from uncertainty to strength, from hesitation to trust, and from recovery to long-term independence.

Key takeaways

• Confidence is a major factor in surgical and injury recovery.
• Prehab helps you feel physically and mentally prepared for surgery.
• Early, guided rehab restores trust in your movement.
• Progress is gradual but powerful when you have structure and support.
• Long-term resilience comes from ongoing strength, stability and good movement habits.
• You don’t have to navigate any of this alone.

FAQs

Do I need to feel confident before surgery?
Not at all. Prehab helps build confidence by preparing your body and teaching you what to expect.

Is it normal to feel scared to move after surgery?
Yes. Pain and stiffness can make you hesitate, even when everything is healing well.

How soon will I trust my body again?
Many people feel more confident within a few weeks as movement becomes easier and strength starts to return.

Can I do the exercises on my own?
You can, but physio guidance ensures you’re progressing safely and avoiding compensation or delays.

Do I need physio even if the pain has gone?
Often yes. Pain relief doesn’t always mean your strength, balance or stability have fully returned.

Call to action

If you’re preparing for surgery, recovering from an injury, or feeling unsure about how to trust your body again, we’re here to help.
Book an appointment online
Have questions? Contact our team

You can read more about how we support patients preparing for surgery here: https://www.ebrphysio.com.au/our-services