Perioperative Support Program

Whole-person care, before and after your surgery

Preparing for surgery can bring up more than logistics. Anxiety, chronic pain, a difficult diagnosis, or the weight of a major life change all shape how you arrive to the operating room — and how you recover afterward.

2 days
minimum arrival before the surgical date
48–72h
post-operative care in your recovery window
Physician-led
every step overseen by licensed clinicians
2 days
minimum arrival before the surgical date
48–72h
post-operative care in your recovery window
Physician-led
every step overseen by licensed clinicians

01

Care for the parts pre-op labs do not reach

At Mystic Health, we work alongside your surgical team to care for the parts of the experience that pre-op labs and post-op prescriptions do not reach. Our physician-led team builds a personalized care plan around your procedure, your timeline, and your needs.

A growing body of research supports caring for mental health around surgery. Studies of ketamine-assisted treatment in surgical patients have shown improvements in early quality of recovery, along with reductions in anxiety, low mood, and pain severity in the days following a procedure.

Patients who arrive to surgery feeling prepared, supported, and emotionally steady give themselves a better foundation for healing.

02

A personalized itinerary, built around your date

Our clinical team spans integrative medicine, psychiatry, ketamine-assisted therapy, psychotherapy, acupuncture, functional nutrition, and women’s health. Every step is overseen by licensed clinicians.

Before your surgery

Preparation begins the moment you are referred or reach out to us. Depending on your needs and timeline, your pre-surgical plan may include:

  • Discovery call

    A first conversation to get to know you, understand your needs, and begin shaping your personalized care plan.

  • Integrative medical consultation

    A physician-led review of your health history, medications, and surgical timeline — the medical foundation your plan is built on.

  • Psychological preparation

    A structured preparation session with one of our licensed mental health professionals, so you know what to expect and feel ready.

  • Ketamine-assisted therapy

    Where clinically indicated, supervised ketamine-assisted therapy before surgery can help ease pre-operative anxiety and support the mind and body in preparing for recovery.

  • Acupuncture

    Perioperative acupuncture for nervous system regulation and anxiety reduction, helping prepare your body for surgical stress.

  • Surgical clearance support

    Where eligible, we can complete the medical evaluations and documentation needed for your surgical approval.

After your surgery recovery & integration

Recovery is where the deeper work happens. Your post-surgical plan may include:

  • Ketamine & integration therapy

    Each ketamine session is paired with a dedicated integration session, typically within 24 to 72 hours — where you process what came up, anchor new patterns, and build the foundation for recovery.

  • Psychotherapy & psychiatric support

    Ongoing care with the provider best suited to you. Our therapists work with EMDR, CBT, psychodynamic, mindfulness, and somatic approaches, including specialized work with pain.

  • Integrative follow-up

    A follow-up appointment with our physician, combining clinical review with the option of acupuncture and somatic support. For recoveries involving hormonal changes, our clinical team addresses this explicitly.

  • Functional nutrition consultation

    A complimentary consultation with our registered dietitian for appropriate patients, focused on hormonal health, post-surgical inflammation, and recovery nutrition.

  • Acupuncture

    Support for nervous system regulation and recovery after surgery — on its own or as part of your integrative recovery protocol.

  • Virtual check-in

    If you are traveling home after treatment, we offer a virtual check-in and can refer you to trusted providers in your area.

Every element of your plan is chosen with you, and nothing proceeds without a full clinical assessment.

03

Designed for elective and planned procedures

Patients in our perioperative program usually recognize themselves in one or more of these.

  • Anxiety or existential distress around a diagnosis, a major procedure, or a life-altering surgical outcome
  • Chronic pain with a psychological component, such as CRPS, neuropathic pain, central sensitization, or fibromyalgia
  • A history of treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, or anxiety that may complicate recovery
  • Cancer surgery, and the psychological weight of navigating a serious illness
  • Post-surgical challenges with mood, pain, adjustment to physical change, or integrating a significant loss
  • Traveling to Los Angeles for surgery and wanting coordinated, time-efficient intensive care

04

Arrive held, prepared, and supported

We work with patients who travel to Los Angeles for surgery and want to make the most of their time here. We build intensive, time-efficient care itineraries around your surgical schedule, coordinate all appointments, and prepare your intake documentation in advance.

2 days

minimum arrival before the surgical date, with consultations and preparation sessions in the days prior

48–72h

post-operative care scheduled in your recovery window before departure

05

Other questions

Is ketamine-assisted therapy safe around surgery?

Yes, when administered by trained clinical staff in a supervised setting. Ketamine has been used in perioperative medicine for over 50 years. At the doses we use, side effects are transient and managed within the monitored session window. We complete a full clinical assessment for every patient and do not proceed where contraindications are present.

Will you coordinate with my surgeon?

Yes, with your consent. We share clinical summaries with your referring surgeon and any other providers involved in your care, and we never modify your surgical or anesthetic management.

Who is not a candidate?

Patients with active uncontrolled psychosis, mania, or an allergy to ketamine are not candidates for ketamine-assisted therapy. Unstable cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled hypertension requires clinical discussion before proceeding. We assess every patient individually and will tell you honestly if we are not the right fit.

How close to my surgery can I receive care?

We can typically accommodate arrival two days before your operation, with post-operative care in the 48 to 72 hour recovery window. Ketamine therapy cannot be given the day before surgery, and we recommend one rest day after your operation before beginning recovery treatments with us.

Visit & start

Meet us in Santa Monica. Clinic tours are free, with no obligation.