Pre-Op Anxiety

Hey everyone, Just curious how ya'll dealt with anxiety prior to surgery. My RNY is in a week and for the past week I have had a very hard time trying to sleep. Wide awake for hours after my head hits the pillow. During the day my mind is constantly preoccupied with this surgery. I know this surgery is right for me and I'm pretty sure my feelings are normal. If you're a boy, you may want to stop reading because I'm about to disclose TMI. Due to stress, I'm late on my period. With my luck, I will probably be flowing during surgery. Did this happen to anyone and if so how did you deal with it during surgery? Thanks for your help!! Sara

hunny I had the same exact feelings the week before.  and I thought that i was going to have my period that day. luckily i got it before so I didnt have it during.  People told me that if I did have it to just tell the surgeons/nurse and that they would give u a pad to put between your legs during surgery.  I dont know about RNYers, i have lapband, but once i was awake from surgery I was able to put on underwear.  The nervousness is completely normal, the week before i would cry at the drop of a pin, i was so nervous.  As long as you think that you are doing the right thing then don't worry everything will go fine.  Just try to things to help you relax, like listen to music, take a walk, call someone, watch a movie, do something to try to get your mind off of it.

Hi! Im sorry you are feeling this way. Even though I havent had my surgery yet im pretty sure its normal. Shoot I am no where near close to having mine done and im always a nervous wreck. Im CONSTANTLY thinking about it. When there is an obstacle in my way because of my weight I automatically think..." Wow I cant wait for the day when I wont have to worry about that again." Its totally normal. The past three days have been really hard for me because my mom just had her surgery this morning! When she left to go outta town for it I started crying and I was a totally freak for days.... Last night I only slept 2 hours because I was so worried about her. She had her surgery and everything went fine! It was a big sigh of relief! And about the period thing... sorry I wouldnt know.. I havent had a period since I got pregnant 2 years ago!!!! I have heard though that your period will come soon after surgery because of the weight loss... does anyone know if that is true or not?!? Anyways goodluck and you will be fine!!!!

It'll come back with fury!!!!  I have been having issues since my surgery- and on a constant flow since July of last year.  Turns out I'm uberly low in Estrogen.  I think I have it under control now with another form of birth control (after trying EVERYTHING).  But Just something to ponder :)

I don't know if you work, but for me finishing things up before my surgery is what kept me sane and kept on edge trying to fini**** all.   I made a list (a very long list mind you) of everything I needed to complete.  I also typed my boss a 4 page report of where everything I did stood.  They greatly appreciated it, I did all my work through the end of May, unless something pops up day to day, I did a lot of my maintenance work ahead of time to make it easier on co-workers and my boss. I also had a list at home of things I wanted done pre--op.  This included a deep cleaning....washing sheets and cleaning anything that I wouldn't want to do when I got home from surgery.   We also did all of the laundery.   The cleaning thing was a lifesaver. I was still anxious, but I was so worn out at the end of each day, that I know I got some sleep in too. Good Luck~Leslie

well surgery causes anxiety, if you can get to the dr you can ask for a sleep aid or an anti anxiety med such as adivan, also you could try over the counter pills like unisom, benedryl, tylenole p.m those types of things, the nice thing though is day of surgery they put some good stuff in your iv, and all anxiety is out the door. about the period thing, if your on birthcontrol dont take you inactive days jsut continue taking active pills. if your not then there isnt much you can do to contol it, but its not the end of the world, although i wasnt on my period during surgery i started the day i left, even on birthcontrol. actually your periods might be really messed up for a while following surgery. good luck and remember relax and breathe. jen

Let me tell you I was the queen of anxiety country pre-op. I was so scared, and nervous even though I knew the surgery was right for me. My anxiety was so bad I went into the OR with "the shakes". [Funny thing: My doc said my surgery was a perfect textbook case.] Nerves are normal. I think everyone has a different way of dealing with anxiety and nerves and you just need to find what works best for you. For me, listening to my ipod and closing my eyes relaxes me and helped calm me before surgery. As far as menstrual cycles go, I had mine before/during surgery, but haven't had it since. But then again my surgery was only a month ago. So I guess we'll see what happens. Goodluck. I hope you find a way to calm your nerves. =]] And don't worry you'll do great!!

Thank yall so much for your replies! I will definately try some tylenol pm.  Today was ok. After my morning cry i felt a little better. Tonight we are starting my birthday celebration a little early with drinks and a male review, wish i could bring yall with me!

Oh my g0odness! I TOTALLY feel you on that.. I was suppossed to get my period on May 8th and so far.. nothing yet! My surgery is 1 week from today and I'm also stressing and I'm pretty sure.. well.. I can never really tell with my period because it's soo irregular that I actually asked my surgeon if that would be a problem.. or if they schedule the surgeries around the whole period thing. He said that it's really not a big deal, "We just clean you up" and that he finds that for some reason he thinks it's due to the anaestesia that it actually makes the bleeding stop while you're under.. hmm, so I guess it might not be that mad.  G0odluck and I can't wait to hear more about your journey.

Oh girl, I was a huge ball of anxiety....I definitely did a little Tylenol PM (don't tell my surgeon...) and some Nyquil (again, don't tell him please!)....I finally got into the habit of bringing my journal to bed with me and just writing until I got tired.... You're gonna do great and you're gonna be SOOO happy that you did it (well, maybe not right away when you are in pain...) but I am sooo excited for ya!! :-)