Never had surgery before this.....

I havent had any type of surgery except tonsilitis and I was 6 years old then..I remember that vaguely. I am TERRIFIED. What are some tips or advice so that I can rid myself of some of this anxiety? My surgery is at the same hospital that my mom passed away in and my anxiety has increased. Any suggestions?

Wow for me the fact of your mom's passing there would be more of any anxiety than most by itself.  My mom passed in 2000(miss her everyday).  I would say continue to pray and talk about it.  This slogan I used every day/minute leading up to my surgery "Trust God's timing is perfect and he won't let me down."  God Bless Carolyn

I've had about 30 surgeries in my life and was still afraid when I went in for my surgery. I prayed and asked God to put His arm of protection around me and to guide the surgeons hand as well as his assistants and a sense of peace just seemed to come over me. I'll be praying for you.

The more I read about other peoples' experiences, the more grateful I am for the thoughtfulness of my surgeon.  Her pre-op patients had an information class at the hospital.  They took us on a tour of the bariatric unit, introduced us to the nurses and they also had a room set up with all of the equipment that we could expect to see when we were post op and also with what we would use when we went home.

See if you can go to the hospital and look around.  Find out where you will be staying and learn as much as you can about what to expect after your surgery.  Make sure all of your questions are answered.  I think a lot of fear comes from not knowing things or from feeling powerless.  Choose an assertive person to stay at the hospital with you to make sure that all your needs are met if for some reason you are unable to communicate for yourself.  That way, you won't have to worry about anything.

Everything is going to be all right.  I imagine that your mom would be proud of you for taking control of your health.  You honor her spirit by living a full and happy life.

Wow - is there any way you can change the facility?  I used to have to drive by the hospital my grandfather died in to get to and from work everyday - I thought about that all the time.  so glad to have my new gig.....

Maybe you could talk to your surgeon or his staff about it?

This is great ideaso glad we can all come together when need.  My surgeon has several affiliations however I took what was available first

I've had 2 (no WLS yet).

The night before my 1st, we were on a church bus trip heading back home.  My surgery was the next morning.  I had a MAJOR panic attach - luckily I was surrounded by church folk who prayed that God take the spirit of fear from me.  The reason I freaked out so was that my cousin's best friend (who was like a cousin to me) died after she came out of surgery (she awoke, was talking. 2 hours later, gone. I think she "drowned" from too much anesthesia (sp).)

Now, my surgery, if all goes well should be in August or Sept- which isn't good, but gotta be done.  My dad died on the OR table on Friday, August 13, 2004.  His birthday was September 22nd.  Think that WON'T be on my mind?  As long as I'm not the week of - preferably after, I should be good.  I had a surgery on 6/2004 and had dreams that I'd die on the OR table, but never saw my face. It was about my dad.  Everytime I go home to New Orleans, gotta pass that hospital - it's been closed since Katrina (and now there's no hospital in that area).

All you can do, dear is to put it in God's hands - no man knows the day nor the hour.  As one of the surgeons said in a seminar - if you don't get on that table, you'll die anyway.  Crass? Sure.  Effective? Damn straight.  It hit home for me.

So, I plan to heave my big butt up on that table and put it in God's hands.

Never been in a Hospital since I came into this world, so I feel you. Thank you for posting this, Glad to know I am not alone in my fears. Your situation is a lil tougher..can they change the hospital? You know what...I am not gonna let fear get me or you...God is in CONTROL and I will share with you My Moms chat with me: Mom: "Do you believe in GOD?" Me: "Yes" Mom: "OK, than stand by your belief and pray for peace and stand firm in your belief" (Imagine that in a Euro/Caribbean accent of someone who was getting pissed at you not bc they were mad bc they wanted you to go back to your foundation of belief in GOD) and if you ever need you can borrow my Mom I loan her out all the time...lol...May God bless you and bring you the calm and peace you deserve to get through this and begin your new Life.

ME MYSELF I CONSTANTLY PRAYED AND IT WORKED OUT . I WILL PRAY FOR YOU

I understand your fear. One of the things that is still huge in my mind is the scare I had sitting on the bed waiting for the anesthesiologist to come give me IV happiness.

Though I am not religous in the 'go to church every week' sense, I am spiritual. I asked my mom and brother, who I lost in May of 1994 to look over me and my surgeon and all the staff so that we would all come through it happy and healthy on the other side.

Something else (a little funnier) -- I got an email that said if there is something you can't handle, and is stressing you out, put it in the SFGTD folder (Something for God to Do). He will get to it. In His time, not yours. But He will take care of it, and of you. Remember, He doesn't need your help, but He is here to help you.

I put some of my worry in that folder, and did a lot of talking to my relatives and friends (both here and in heaven).

So basically, talk to everyone you can, and talk to your mom. I am SURE she is doing everything she can from the other side to make sure you will be safe and come out healthy after surgery.