When surgery falls on Thanksgiving: Coping tips and insights

Thanksgiving is often a time for family, food and reflection. For some patients, it is also a time spent in the hospital recovering from surgery. While being away from home on a holiday can feel difficult, a Baylor Medicine physician shares some tips to help make the season meaningful and comfortable for those recovering.

Finding gratitude in the hospital

Undergoing surgery during the holidays can be a stressful experience. Patients may feel they are missing out on family traditions or time with loved ones. According to Dr. Erik Suarez, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Baylor Medicine, focusing on recovery can help patients shift their perspective.

“Thanksgiving is about gratitude,” Suarez said. “When patients take a moment to recognize the progress they are making and the care they are receiving, it can bring a sense of peace even in a hospital setting.”

Hospital and clinical staff find creative ways to lift spirits. Holiday meals are often available, some team members wear festive attire, and volunteers may deliver cards or visit with patients who are alone. Nurses, social workers, and chaplains also play an important role in providing comfort and connection. Families and the patients themselves also play an important part in lifting holiday spirits.

Coping tips for patients and families

Stay connected. Even if you cannot be at the dinner table, video calls and messages from family can make a big difference. Encourage loved ones to share photos, stories or updates from home.

Bring a touch of the season. A small decoration, a gratitude list or a favorite blanket can make a hospital room feel more personal.

Focus on healing. Holidays can add pressure to push limits. Suarez reminds patients that rest and recovery should remain the priority.

“We remind patients that their surgery is an important step toward better health. Healing now means more holidays together in the future.”

Lean on your care team. Healthcare workers understand that holidays can be emotional. Let them know how you are feeling and ask for help if you need it.

A season for healing and hope

Spending Thanksgiving in the hospital is not what anyone plans for, but it can still be a time of reflection and gratitude.

“It is a privilege to care for patients when they need us most,” Suarez said. “There is a special sense of teamwork and gratitude among staff during this time of year.”

With the support of compassionate staff members, thoughtful families and dedicated medical professionals, patients can focus on what matters most: healing, hope and the promise of many holidays to come.

By Brittany Fisk Adiletta, senior marketing associate in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery