2 weeks to surgery and I am scared out of my mind.

[Doormat59 0]

I just can't seem to get over my fears. I feel like I'm the prisoner walking down death row heading towards the chair. Does anybody have advice for me? I need the help.

Gary:scared2:

[smsmithart 4]

You will be fine everyone is a little scared..you will be so glad u did it when the weight starts to fall off I'm down 70lbs

[Doormat59 0]

Thank you. I hope so.

[Doormat59 0]

[sandiegokate 0]

I am two days out of surgery and I am glad it is over! The anticipation is the hardest part of the process. I do have a little pain but nothing more than I expected. It is better today than yesterday and I am sure tomorrow will be better yet.

You will do fine... :w00t:

[Doormat59 0]

Thank you so much for responding. I wish you well. Have a speedy recovery. What was it like when you woke up? How are you feeling now?

Gary

[tammy green 0]

hi i was the same was scared to death the hardest part was the waiting in the room to go to surgery i was real nervous and scared didnt want my son to see that thou so i had to put up a good front. but my husband knew. anyway i had a burning sensation at the top of my stomach and just a little gas, and thats all. everyone is different with the pain but being informed is the best thing to get over your fear i m not saying you want be scared but you will know what to expect. and that takes some of the fear away. it did for me. just know that you are not alone in this, we are here to support you. i was banded on july 1 and have lost 18lbs so far. tammy

[Doormat59 0]

Thank you so much Tammy for taking the time to write me. I am such a chicken when it comes to doctors. I wish you good luck with your band. :-)

Gary

[123crod 170]

I suffer from extreme anxiety that I take meds for and I did it. It is really no big deal and is over before you know it. Also when you get to hospital if you feel anxiety they can give you something to calm you down. They did that for me.

But it will be over before you know it. REALLY!!!!:w00t:

I just can't seem to get over my fears. I feel like I'm the prisoner walking down death row heading towards the chair. Does anybody have advice for me? I need the help.

Gary:scared2:

[RestlessMonkey 7]

hey Gary! Surgery is amazingly easy. They'll give you something to relax you before they roll you in. If you've never had surgery, being "out" isn't like sleeping; you won't really have a sense that time has passed. You'll be "there" and then "gone" and then "back". I find it helpful when in recovery to find a clock (they all have big clocks on the walls) and re-orient myself to what time it is.

You'll probably have a mask on, with oxygen. Don't flip! It helps clear the anesthesia from your lungs. Once you're alert enough to concentrate, take several deep breaths (in and out) and it helps clear your lungs and your mind. Deep and slow. Once you are oxygenating well, ask them to remove the mask if it bugs you (it does me) They'll remove it and see how you do on room air. Again deep slow breaths really make a difference here.

The soreness, to me, was reminiscent of too many sit ups. I felt a little "odd" but nothing excruciating. Again, breathing deeply helps expand everything, helps you feel normal. If it hurts a little at first keep at it; things will loosen up.

A big secret I can share: The sooner you act normally, the sooner you'll feel normal. Walk as soon as you feel able (with the nurse's help, and of course once you're out of recovery LOL). Don't be a fool about it, don't try if you're still dizzy, but walk ASAP. When they give you something to drink pick Water first; less likely to nauseate you.

Let the nurses know, in fact, if you feel nauseated or "funny".

Surgery is scary. The nurses all know this, the docs know it, so don't feel badly because you are petrified. No mentally healthy person ever says "Surgery? Oh yeah baby bring it ON!" LOL The medical staff will help you through it, and the tips I've given you give you a degree of control to optimize it for you.

You will probably be dreadfully thirsty, too. They give you a "anticholinergic" to dry up your mucous membranes so anticipate that; it's normal. A mild sore throat is normal too. Take some chapstick and that helps with the dry lips. I agitated for ice chips and got some before I was cleared to drink water; that helps a lot too.

Post op take your pain meds if you need them; liquid tylenol may be enough for you after your first 24-36 hours or so. Or not. Just be aware that if you take your prescription it MAY constipate you so be alert for that; ask your doc what s/he wants you to do if that happens.

And follow your doc's post op diet and instructions TO THE LETTER! You'll be through it in no time! :w00t:

Hope some of this helps!

Edited August 28, 2009 by RestlessMonkey
monkey typo

[sandiegokate 0]

Thank you so much for responding. I wish you well. Have a speedy recovery. What was it like when you woke up? How are you feeling now?

Gary

I woke up just like you would from a sleep on a weekend morning.. very peaceful. Absolutely no pain at all. In fact there has never been any pain from just laying or sitting. It is only when I get up and back down, like I did 1,000 situps I would say. I am so much better today though... I am ready to get up, take a shower and get dressed. I am taking it easy though just to be sure all is ok.. but I know the worst is over. Truly, it isn't that bad... have you ever had surgery before? If you haven't that is probably why you are nervous. They will give you something to relax that makes you really happy and drowsy. :w00t:

[okiegirl79 1]

Hey there! I am feeling anxiety too...I am hoping for surgery in September and keep thinking to myself "am I doing the right thing?" You are on the right track by educating yourself and drawing support from those with experience. I am just hoping the time goes by quickly while I am waiting!!! :w00t:

[okiegirl79 1]

Okay...sorry about the signature....I am trying to do my ticker!

[thebandedgirl 0]

Hey Gary,

What are your fears? Surgery itself? Life after the band? Something else? I think recognizing exactly what we're afraid of and giving it some sort of name or label is an important part of moving past the fear.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Excellent point, thebandedgirl!