Having some major anxiety

[sumbrown 26]

My surgery is scheduled for Monday. I can't think of anything but the surgery at this point. I can't pinpoint exactly what is making me anxious. It's just the entire thing!!!

I'm excited too however. But I can't even work haha! I'm pretty sure many of you are experiencing the same thing or something similar. How are you dealing with it?

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

Correct, lots of people go through the same thing. All I can suggest is that you do some of your getting-ready tasks each day until the day before you go to the hospital. Keeping yourself occupied with the small tasks helps to stay focused not on what's making you nervous, but on being a capable and competent adult taking care of the small,necessary things. I'm not suggesting that you're not capable and competent, but sometimes nervousness makes us feel lost.

Example, tomorrow buy some of the Clear liquids or whichever types of liquids you'll need for the first days back at home. Buy more the next day. The day after, do whatever else, etc., etc.. Pack your things for the hospital the night before. On the morning of surgery, change the sheets and towels. You'll appreciate having fresh bedding and towels when you're home again.

Before my lapband surgery I was worked up enough with all the pre-chores and when I'd have to stop taking my regular meds and stop eating and what I'd have to do each day right after surgery, blah blah blah. A couple of weeks before I bought a large sheet of oak tag (do people still know oak tag?) and made a calendar with magic marker. Then I wrote in each day's needs/type of liquid/soft foods and more. Lots of silly details. It helped only slightly in a practical sense (e.g., when to switch from full liquid to soft foods), but it did soooo much to keep myself occupied. I was a good and happy puppy filling in my great big calendar. It was like arts & crafts in 2nd grade.

I could have said everything in a few words: Play whatever little games with your head that will get the result you want.

You'll be fine. Promise.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch - great advice. Any thinking person goes through several freak outs. It's a permanent change, if you are not freaking out, your not thinking.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

It depends on the person. I never freaked out or felt anxious over my surgery. I had everything organized and prepped. I made a list of things I needed. It's okay to be nervous, but not everyone is. I had thought long and hard about this before I made the call for my initial consult. I was ready, so no nerves or freak outs for me.

[sumbrown 26]

Correct, lots of people go through the same thing. All I can suggest is that you do some of your getting-ready tasks each day until the day before you go to the hospital. Keeping yourself occupied with the small tasks helps to stay focused not on what's making you nervous, but on being a capable and competent adult taking care of the small,necessary things. I'm not suggesting that you're not capable and competent, but sometimes nervousness makes us feel lost.

Example, tomorrow buy some of the Clear Liquids or whichever types of liquids you'll need for the first days back at home. Buy more the next day. The day after, do whatever else, etc., etc.. Pack your things for the hospital the night before. On the morning of surgery, change the sheets and towels. You'll appreciate having fresh bedding and towels when you're home again.

Before my lapband surgery I was worked up enough with all the pre-chores and when I'd have to stop taking my regular meds and stop eating and what I'd have to do each day right after surgery, blah blah blah. A couple of weeks before I bought a large sheet of oak tag (do people still know oak tag?) and made a calendar with magic marker. Then I wrote in each day's needs/type of liquid/soft foods and more. Lots of silly details. It helped only slightly in a practical sense (e.g., when to switch from full liquid to soft foods), but it did soooo much to keep myself occupied. I was a good and happy puppy filling in my great big calendar. It was like arts & crafts in 2nd grade.

I could have said everything in a few words: Play whatever little games with your head that will get the result you want.

You'll be fine. Promise.

I'm a planner by nature so this is right up my alley. My surgery is on Monday so I'm filling my weekend with so many tasks.

Thanks for the advice. Made me feel a bit better.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Yes, I made my list and checked things off as I went along. Day of surgery I said a quick prayer and was good to go.

[adrinanna 46]

Yes, I made my list and checked things off as I went along. Day of surgery I said a quick prayer and was good to go.

Is there some master checklist...Preparing yourself for surgery. I don't have a surgery date so difficult to make a plan.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Yes, I made my list and checked things off as I went along. Day of surgery I said a quick prayer and was good to go.

Is there some master checklist...Preparing yourself for surgery. I don't have a surgery date so difficult to make a plan.

I put one together for myself based in all of the instructions I received from my NUT, surgeon, cardiologist, etc.

When you get closer and get a surgery date you should be receiving some very specific instructions related to pre-op diet, meds, surgery prep, etc.

There are also some good threads in this site related to things like what to take to the hospital and what you will need to have at home when you return.

Just take really good notes.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

@@adrinanna - No. I just made a list of what I needed to do. Part of it was easy because my program is one of the ones that provides a comprehensive handbook. With that in hand I went out and purchased my Vitamins and supplements. I spent a week sampling and tasting Protein drinks/shakes/powders. I then though about what I needed to do to prep my home. I live alone so this was important since I value my independence. I bought herbal tea, Decaf coffee, vegetable broth, kefir, almond milk and other groceries I would need for post op life. I did all my laundry & I cleaned my house. Before I left for the hospital I put fresh linens on my bed. I moved my cats food and litter to make it easy to take care of her without lifting. I didn't have a pre-op diet, but I cut back on my eating, and increase my Protein. I also practice eating slowly and separating my eating from drinking. I exercised each day and increased my walking. I even went so far as to get my locs freshly washed and retwisted the week of my surgery. I did boring stuff like paid my bills for the month. I made sure the hospital had my advance medical directive and my family had copies of it. I made arrangements for rides to and from the hospital and who would be notified once I was out of surgery.

I literally sat down and wrote out what I need to do and then checked them off as I did them. It was immensely reassuring. I felt calm and confident going into surgery.

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

@@sumbrown, wow, you're much more together than I. You're a planner. I think I'm sometimes, not always, a bit OCD about such things. I'm going to adopt your vocabulary. If I say it enough times, it will come true, yes? No? Maybe?

You may appreciate my day-of-surgery experience. After being prepped (I don't recall what it involved), a nurse brought a wheelchair to take me about 100 ft. to the OR. I told her I'd walk, as there was no reason to ride. As I stepped through the double doors, I saw all the OR staff at their last-minute tasks. Their surgical masks already in place, they stopped work for a moment, looked toward me and called out the friendliest "Hi's!" "Good to see you's!" and other things of the sort. That was such fun, making me feel as though I'd arrived at a surprise masquerade party in my honor.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers got it: "The waiting is the hardest part." You'll be more than fine. Same goes for you, @@adrinanna

Edited January 13, 2016 by WLSResources/ClothingExch

[OKCPirate 5,323]

Correct, lots of people go through the same thing. All I can suggest is that you do some of your getting-ready tasks each day until the day before you go to the hospital. Keeping yourself occupied with the small tasks helps to stay focused not on what's making you nervous, but on being a capable and competent adult taking care of the small,necessary things. I'm not suggesting that you're not capable and competent, but sometimes nervousness makes us feel lost.

Example, tomorrow buy some of the Clear liquids or whichever types of liquids you'll need for the first days back at home. Buy more the next day. The day after, do whatever else, etc., etc.. Pack your things for the hospital the night before. On the morning of surgery, change the sheets and towels. You'll appreciate having fresh bedding and towels when you're home again.

Before my lapband surgery I was worked up enough with all the pre-chores and when I'd have to stop taking my regular meds and stop eating and what I'd have to do each day right after surgery, blah blah blah. A couple of weeks before I bought a large sheet of oak tag (do people still know oak tag?) and made a calendar with magic marker. Then I wrote in each day's needs/type of liquid/soft foods and more. Lots of silly details. It helped only slightly in a practical sense (e.g., when to switch from full liquid to soft foods), but it did soooo much to keep myself occupied. I was a good and happy puppy filling in my great big calendar. It was like arts & crafts in 2nd grade.

I could have said everything in a few words: Play whatever little games with your head that will get the result you want.

You'll be fine. Promise.

I'm a planner by nature so this is right up my alley. My surgery is on Monday so I'm filling my weekend with so many tasks.

Thanks for the advice. Made me feel a bit better.

Good for you. I had my research done before I sent my deposit. I knew I wanted it done. Prepared for the worst, prayed for the best and prepared for every contingency I could think of. Tested and then purchased all my food for the first month. And then tried like crazy to get in the best shape I could for elective surgery. After all that, I still had two freak out moments. Oh well, we are all human.

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

Good for you. I had my research done before I sent my deposit. I knew I wanted it done. Prepared for the worst, prayed for the best and prepared for every contingency I could think of. Tested and then purchased all my food for the first month. And then tried like crazy to get in the best shape I could for elective surgery. After all that, I still had two freak out moments. Oh well, we are all human.

See how it works? From freaking out to a star.

[sumbrown 26]

@@sumbrown, wow, you're much more together than I. You're a planner. I think I'm sometimes, not always, a bit OCD about such things. I'm going to adopt your vocabulary. If I say it enough times, it will come true, yes? No? Maybe?

You may appreciate my day-of-surgery experience. After being prepped (I don't recall what it involved), a nurse brought a wheelchair to take me about 100 ft. to the OR. I told her I'd walk, as there was no reason to ride. As I stepped through the double doors, I saw all the OR staff at their last-minute tasks. Their surgical masks already in place, they stopped work for a moment, looked toward me and called out the friendliest "Hi's!" "Good to see you's!" and other things of the sort. That was such fun, making me feel as though I'd arrived at a surprise masquerade party in my honor.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers got it: "The waiting is the hardest part." You'll be more than fine. Same goes for you, @@adrinanna

so funny. But comforting. Sort of like a guest of honor haha.

[L.o.v.e 36]

Good luck to you we can not wait to see the new you ☺️ congrats

[sumbrown 26]

Good luck to you we can not wait to see the new you ☺️ congrats

awww thank you Hun ????