Question:
I'm having doubts... too many procedures!

The last time I was in the hospital was when I was born. I hate hospitals and all the bureaucracy that goes with them. I am getting very nervous about my upcoming surgery, mainly due to little details. The mere thought of a catheter and these tubes and what not freak me out! I am a very independednt person, and would like to pee for myself. And that's just the tip of the ice berg. IV's, herapin shots, enemas etc. are all freaking me out. Ironically enough, I am not scared of the surgery itself, as I will be asleep, but all these little things that I keep hearing about are really making me nervous and making me wonder whether or not this is a good idea. I was sexually abused when I was a child and have serious issues with people touching me, and I guess that's why I hate doctor's and these procedures so much. I am young (21) and pretty healthy (I run two miles most days), so I am hoping my recovery will be pretty quick, and maybe I can get out of some of these, if I make progress in th hospital. Any advice? I am also rather reluctant to speak to my doctor about this, as it is rather embrassing and silly, and I definitely do not want to talk to his staff, as we all know how that goes, and I'm sure I won't see him again until the day of surgery. Wow, am I long winded or what! Can any one give me some reassurance? I'm having surgery at BTC if that helps. Thank you all!    — [Anonymous] (posted on October 11, 2001)

October 11, 2001
First of all it sounds like you are making yourself more nervous than is necessary. My catheter was put in on the operating table(if they put one in) and was out before I woke up. My surgeon encourages you to get up and pee for yourself because it gets you moving and helps you to recover quicker. The heperin shots are not bad. They will leave your stomach bruised but they don't hurt. Most of the time I didn't even know I was getting them. The IV was a pain. You have to take it with you to the bathroom, take it with you to walk the halls, take it with you to sit in a chair. But I only had it for 2 days. They want to make sure you get the right amount of fluids. As far as enemas - they never gave me an enema. Most people don't even have a bowel movement while they are in the hospital. Being in the hospital is no vacation. Having this surgery is no fun either. But your health will be your reward - and that makes all the little annoying things much easier to tolerate.
   — K T.

October 11, 2001
My husband had exactly the same concerns you did - he was not worried about the surgery itself, but having never had a medical procedure in his 53 years, he was petrified of all the hospital "stuff" that accompanied it (particularly the IV and catheter). Once they put the IV in, they typically give you a sedative to calm you down which makes it easy going into surgery. When you come out of surgery, there is so much going on (either you're in pain, or you're happily drugged up), that all of the other "stuff" just doesn't seem to matter, or at least it didn't to him. The one thing it did do for him (and for me) was to inspire us to get well quick to get unplugged ASAP. I was off the catheter and the booties within 10 hours, and the took the IV out the next day. His stuff took a bit longer, but he was not as active at moving around as I was. With respect to the issues about people touching you, I would do some very aggressive work around that ASAP to avoid that stress to yourself. You will be poked and prodded by multiple people, all of whom are extraordinarly professional and detached, but you will still be touched quite a bit. Really and truly - it will be over and done with before you know it, and will be nothing more than a dim memory as you start your new life. -Kate-
   — kateseidel

October 11, 2001
I can certainly understand your concerns, especially the "why". Don't be too concerned, however. Each doc has their own protocal, esp. with catheters - just ask! The IV won't be invasive, just annoying. The catheter, well, when they take it out, they don't have to touch you at all, they just suction a little (don't feel it) then pull gently, you just feel a little burning sensation, and they don't have to do it from where it goes in. However, you will most likely be drugged up, and not notice care a bit about any of it. Heparin, too. Just give me it and let me go back to sleep! The NG tube up the nose sucked a lot (oops, very punny), not all patients have it. If you are concened about asking, read profiles of other patients of your Dr. - but only recent ones, they seem to be getting less tube oriented...
   — M. A. B.

October 11, 2001
As you don't have any experience with hospitals, it's not unreasonable that you have doubts as to what all goes on there. Speaking from having LOTS of experience with hospital 'life'.. it might be helpful to remember a couple of things: #1. while some of the procedures may be inconvenient, or even mildly painful, they are all designed to keep YOU recovering in the safest and quickest way possible. While wanting to 'pee for yourself' is an admirable trait, it is in the interest of YOUR SAFETY to wait until your body is READY for you to get up yourself. The same goes for the IV's and everything else. It all has a purpose, and that purpose is to get you BETTER and OUTTA there..! And #2 EVERYONE there has the HIGHEST concern for your well-being, safety and health.. Please try to be comfortable in knowing that their only focus is getting YOU on your way to a newer, THINNER self..! It will not hurt for you to tell the nursing staff there that you have a few 'issues' with personal contact.. and ask that they try to keep that in mind when they're doing some of these procedures. You are not alone, and a caring nursing staff will be considerate of your wishes (as far as they can be without jeopardizing what tasks they HAVE to perform). Good luck.. and remember.. you'll be on the 'Other Side' before you know it..!!!!
   — Diane E.

October 11, 2001
Surgery is risky/can be dangerous, but being moribidly obese present even more risk and danger. I agree w/the poster that said maybe you aren't ready for this big step. Also, if things go well you will only be in 2-4 days. small price to pay for your life of health.
   — Cindee A.

October 11, 2001
Your concerns are important. But, can I just tell you that I wasn't fond of the catheter or heparin shots, or needing anyone to help me in and out of bed. The whole thing freaked me out a little bit. But, let me just tell you that I was asleep for the catheter and I forgot I even had it. The heparin shots were nothing...I got one in my leg that bruised but didn't hurt. The nurses and doctors don't really touch you when you're awake. Sure, they look at the incision but that's pretty much it. I was terrified of EVERYTHING pre-op, but being post-op, I laugh at my concerns. Yeah, it's serious and your concerns are always valid, but my personal experience was easy. The most difficult thing for me was getting in and out of bed...then I had an angel/nurse show me how and life has been great since. Good Luck!!!!
   — Kristin R.

October 11, 2001
I can understand your concerns and Iam not going to second guess wether they are good or bad feeling, Iam only going to give you my advise. Thats what we are her to do. I told my doctor i did not want an enema, he said as long as i ate very "light" 24 hours prior to surgery i would not have to have one, so i ate yogurt and salad prior to surgery. Result= NO ENEMA. I also told mt doctor that i hated the thought of a cather, he made a deal with me, he said he would write orders, that if i got out of bed a few hours after surgey and walked he would have it removed- I ahd surgery at 1:00 and i walked two laps around the nurses station at 8:00. Result= removal that same night. I never had any pain with the heprin shots, they burn a little, but the thought of a blood clot was much worse. My advise to you would be to talk with your doctor. I know it must be hard, due to your past but you must have some trust in him or her being as though you are letting him perform a major operation on you? Good luck to you
   — Malynda S.