Concentration and Panic Attacks...

So the day approaches... I am sitting at work and I can't concentrate for crap. I have been all over the OH boards and have been doing some more research. Let's just hope my boss doesn't come around and catch me being uber unproductive :) I just can't believe the day is finally coming. It seems surreal. I can't focus on anything else except Thursday. 

I've also been experiencing anxiety attacks again. It always happens at about 3am I jolt awake and start freaking out about upcoming surgery. I hate the thought of being put under and I am so concerned that I am going to wake up from surgery in horrible pain. 

Ok.. ranting done for now. 

Getting anxious is normal! Calm down, breathe & remember there are pain meds if you need them (and they work) Good luck!  

Surgery is scary stuff. My surgeon told me that I wouldn't be nervous if I didn't know what I was getting into, so hopefully it just means you understand what's coming!

I won't lie, most folks are pretty sore after surgery. For days, I felt like I'd done hundreds of ab crunches! But you can make it through, and you'll do great :)

I had gallbladder surgery last year.. was it similar to that or worse?

My gallbladder surgery was far, far worse than my VSG. I think my VSG surgeon was a far better surgeon and that was part of the reason.

Tell your surgeon your concerns about waking up in pain. They can give you pain meds and nerve blockers so when you wake up you are pain free.

Have you considered trying meditation or mindfulness?  I highly recommend the Headspace app if you're interested.  I think the first 10 days are free and it's only 10 minutes a day.  

I haven't thought of this, I will download the app and give it a try. 

Klonopin. Ask your surgeon.

psychoticparrot

When you wake up there will be a nurse right there with you watching to make sure you are waking up well and that you aren't in pain. They will ask if you hurt and will give you more medication if you need it. They don't want you to hurt either cause that makes for a cranky patient and cranky patients are no fun for them so it is to both of your benefits that you are not in pain! Also I didn't have VSG so can't compare but I did have my GB out and I didn't find that to be particularly painful. If you hurt at any time just let your nurse know and once you get home if the pain meds they give you don't work let the doc know some work better than others.

It's normal to be nervous. Just try to stay calm and think about what life will be like 1 year or even 6 months from now! I had my gallbladder out 5 months after my VSG. In my opinion the VSG was worse as far as pain goes but like everyone said pain meds are readily available and they work wonders. You'll get through this! Good luck!