Help! Surgery is today, I'm suffering from terrible shortness of breath

[Bruce120 19]

So this has been happening on and off since I started the liquid diet, whereas I'm struggling to take a deep satisfying breath. I've brushed it of as nothing and as a possible minor side effect of not eating.

But now it came back in a terrible fashion, I've been up almost the whole night tossing and turning struggling to get a good deep breath.

As I've said my surgery is today 12:00 PM, and I really don't know what to do. Should I tell my surgeon about it? I'm afraid he'll push off the surgery, and my whole two weeks of liquid misery will have been in vain. Should I not tell him? Who knows what might happen during surgery!

Please help me, I'm lost!

[tomdelo 120]

don't panic, the doctor will be great. you will be fine. remember the new person is a few hours. good luck ...

[pink dahlia 2,513]

Im purely guessing, but if this is happening only since you went on a liquid diet, maybe its stress related ? Worried about the surgery , etc ? Id mention it to the nurse when he/ she takes your vitals this AM, you're probably not the first person to tell him/her this info. Good luck today , let us know how it goes !!!!!!

[Lite'N'Sweet 60]

It's totally normal to be nervous (and those ARE nerves taking over). You have to try to regain control of your breathing. My mom used to make me do jumping jacks when I'd have a panic attack and it helped me get back to my right mind.

I'm sure that your doctor will do nothing short of reassure you of your decision. Mine did. I told him I was nervous. He said "What are you having again?" and I said "Lap Band" and he waved me off like it was nothing and said "That's a piece of cake - nothing to worry about." And with saying that ... I felt at ease. And you know what - your nerves won't matter when you're under the anesthesia. They'll have it all under control - bp, breathing, everything. You just have to lay back and enjoy that sleep.

Good Luck today and see you on the other side!!!

[Mikee57 699]

Bruce120...I agree with these folks, but please make sure you mention it to your surgeon...better safe than sorry...okay!!! Welcome almost to Bandland!!!

[NolansNana 210]

Oh my goodness..I hope your OK. I would've told the Dr. Oh I hope you did.

[NolansNana 210]

It could be anxiety but could be serious..need to know before surgery. Update us when you can!

[Bruce120 19]

Thanks for your encouragement guys. I'm heading out to the hospital now, and I'll tell the surgeon about it beforehand. I'll let you know how it goes/went.

[NolansNana 210]

Best of luck to you. Will be praying!

[Lite'N'Sweet 60]

Keep us posted! Our thoughts are with you!!

[Bruce120 19]

The surgery is done thank god.

The surgeon and the anesthesiologist brushed aside the breathing issues as anxiety or something like that.

But the pain now is extreme. I didn't know laproscopic surgery is accompanied by such sharp pains. The pain especially flares up when I take a deep breath, cough, or move around.

[tomdelo 120]

Put a pillow on your stomach, it helped me. Puts pressure against it will feel better.

[NolansNana 210]

Bruce I'm sorry your hurting so much.. You taking pain meds? Your body has been through something traumatic.

[bulawookie 116]

Your breathing has everything to do with your anxiety level. Jumping jacks are a good idea or something else that grounds you. Thanks for sharing and welcome to banister land....we are glad to have you here.

[pink dahlia 2,513]

Bruce, I would call your surgeon about the extreme pains ASAP. It might be gas from the anesthia, but check anyway . Try your pain meds, a heating pad , liquids and walking. Id skip the jumping jacks. Let us know how it goes and welcome to the other side ! Keep us updated, somebody is always willing to help . Good luck !!!