Nervous -- surgey on Feb. 9

I have surgey scheduled for Feb. 9 at OHSU. I am having trouble sleeping, is this common? I guess the thing that worries me the most is that I am a self-pay, and if I have complications I will be responsible for a large hospital bill. Anybody else had these problems before?

Kurt: Of course being nervous can make you lose sleep! Worrying about complications and more money won't take away the risk, nor assure you of no complications. I know it's hard, but try to focus on how great it is to save your own life, especially as a self-pay. If there are complications, worry about that later. Right now, your body needs to rest up for surgery. You deserve to have a great surgical experience. I am 2 weeks post-op, also a self-pay, but had to go to Mexico because it was too expensive in the States. I had no pain following surgery (also an open RNY), needed no pain meds, returned to work 2 weeks after surgery, and couldn't feel better right now. It's all in the attitude (okay, and maybe a decent pain threshhold). Take good care of your body; it will be doing amazing things for you after February 9. The best to you. You'll be in my prayers. -Lesa

I'm a self-pay also and going to Mexico to boot, so I know your concerns. I'm getting nervous as it rounds out that I have to get my tickets ready, etc. As Lesa said - try to focus on the here and now and deal with the rest later. Concentrate on eating well, taking your vitamins (and zinc which helps boost immunity and kills a cold quickly) and following the plan and let the rest go from your mind. Take it as it comes and try not to dwell on the what-if's. I have a feeling even through most all the what-ifs that could go wrong, we'd still not regret having this done. On another forum I'm on, one man had some serious complications both with his wls and the skin removal, but he still says it's the best thing he ever could have done for himself. Dina

Hi Dina. Your post says you're going to Mexico but your profile says maybe not. Have you decided to go to Dr. Aguirre? I'm 2 weeks post-op from having it by him, and I have to say, the scar is already dimming. I've had zero problems...the incision didn't hurt, the staples were okay, no pain meds following surgery. I'm just up in Portland, so if you're ever up this way let me know. We have a small but very funny group that got together from this website, but I'm the only one that had surgery in Mexico. Let me know. -Lesa in Portland

Kurt it is normal to be nervous and go over all the what ifs a hundred times..as much as you can let it go... You will do fine. Who is your surgeon? Complications are not the norm.. but rather the exception... so just focus on the good things that are about to come. Post-op success has alot to do with your state of mind.. look for the positive and be strong.. Best wishes for your upcoming journey!