Getting Nervous..............

Hello all, my date is 10/17 with Dr. Crum...I am getting a little nervous...Any tips for how to deal with this in the days before? I am SO sure that I want to do this....It's just that I am a nurse and you know what they say, a little knowledge...It is really the anesthesia I am worried about...Any tips would be great! Thanks, Patty

Patty Just go about your buisness and make sure you have all the things on hand to start the phase of eating you will need post op. I spoke about it to everyone...I had not told anyone until a week before my surgery--and then for some reason-I felt liberated and shared my saga with everyone. It proved a smart move-I found lots of support. Sure there were people who asked if I was afraid to die....I responded...I am even more afraid to live like this. But--I understand talking about it is not for everyone. I, too, am in the medical field--and have "seen it all"... I was nervous until I walked into the OR...and a complete calm came over me...I was sure what I was doing was right for me. Good Luck..and God Bless you as you go through this life changing experience. Enjoy the ride-its incredible! Joanie

Hi Patty, I am almost two weeks post op and I have to tell you that I felt the SAME way as you are right now, about one week before my surgery. I knew that I had made the right decision, but it was the "unknown" of the situation that I couldn't handle. I was afraid of that small % rate of not waking up from surgery. I kind of stayed away from reading these boards that week. Focused on my family and walked A LOT! You will need to do a lot of walking afterwards to get the blood going and anesthesia out of your system, plus it's a great stress buster. I didn't have to be at Middlesex until 11:30 am, and my surgery was pushed back about an hour, for Dr Aranow ran late in his first one. This waiting got me a bit nervous, but once the Anesthesiologist came in and spoke to me and I told him my fears, he releived them and walked me to the OR. He was great, and the OR nurse had the surgery too, so it calmed me down. He just asked me what island I'd like him to take me to and before you knew it, I was waking up in recovery! All will be well...just keep saying that and remember to BREATHE! paula

Hi Patty. I am a nurse too so I know exactly how you feel. I spent the time prior to surgery keeping busy. I worked right up till the day of surgery and spent the morning cleaning house. Do tell the anaesthesia team about your nerves. I was so afraid I wouldn't wake up or I would be drooling when I woke up. But, truly it was a piece of cake(the waking up part). The nurse on the anaesthesia team(can't spell anaesthis and I don't want to look like I don't know what I am talking about)was great. I was also afraid of the tubes and brought my own scissors to cut my foley catheter but didn't need to do it. Everyone was wonderful. Think positive thoughts(and I did a lot of deep breathing preop to prepare me for the jitters) and don't forget your back scratcher. Good luck!!! Linnie