Fear of not waking up!

[Lucyluhi 4]

I never been under anesthesia three weeks exact till my surgery and I have fears of not waking up!did any of you have those kind of fears??how did you deal with them!??

[KindaFamiliar 3,867]

Yep, I did...

This was my first time under anesthetic so I had some major fears...

I dealt with them by simply telling myself that the slim chance of dying on the table was much better than the certain death I was facing if I continued to be fat...

[Dub 9,922]

I've had 7 surgeries that required anesthesia.

It's no biggie.

I was a little more apprehensive about this last sleeve surgery + umbilical hernia repair due to a back injury that was hurting pretty bad. Fears of pain and laying in awkward positions post-op. Turns out it was not bad at all.

My surgeon had ordered a Valium for me to take upon arrival. I was chilled out and relaxed throughout the hours leading up to surgery. Perhaps you can have such a conversation with your surgeon.

The meds they used on the surgery were out of my system very nicely as I woke up in the recovery room. I was fairly clearheaded and awake when I made it to my room. I could hear the doctor telling my wife that my sleeve went in textbook style and I did great. Overhearing that was very reassuring.

You are going to do great and it will simply be like taking a nice nap.

[4MRB4PHOTO 3,900]

The long term health aspects of obesity are far worse than the chance of something going wrong while under anesthesia.

Let the surgical team know your concerns ahead of time, they will accommodate you and keep you relaxed.

Maybe you can meet with the anesthesiologist before the surgery to talk to them for a few minutes to put your mind at ease?

[LipstickLady 25,682]

My fear of not waking up was far less than putting my family through me having a massive heart attack/permanently ruining my back and knees/developing diabetes due to being a big fat cow.

[Densol 15]

I read a really good article by a doctor ( sorry I cannot find now ) which basically said the risk of death from anaesthesia in a WLS patient was about the same as a HEALTHY woman dying when giving birth ! I found that extraordinary as no one would worry about dying when going into labour.

It put things into perspective for me and I found my fears less.

[Megall9 268]

I don't worry about not waking up. Rather I worry about being put under, unable to move, but still able to feel everything that is happening.

[Babbs 14,680]

Not to fear monger, but most complications and death occur AFTER the surgery, not while you're under.

I know that probably didn't make you feel any better....lol.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

I just came to terms with it before surgery. First of all with all the invasive pre-op testing they put me through, I thought my chances of dying were radically slim. Worse than that, the pre-op testing convinced me that I would live a long time mordbidly obese and gaining and losing for another 30 or so years. Ugh. So I decided dying why I was young and pretty still with my hair freshly done was worth the risk. Added bonus I felt the only way I would die would be malpractice, so at last my family would have some cash.

It is a real fear, and what people tell you won't help you get over it. You have to work through it in your mind and come to terms with surgery. The fear is partially real fear probably and a little self sabotage.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Yes, I had that fear, but the fear of not waking up every day was higher.

[Lucyluhi 4]

Thank you guys for your replies I am decides it's just a taught that goes through my mind

[IMS1985 1]

That was also one of my fears, but I was fine. You will be fine too! I'm going on 10 months p/o, no regrets!