Question:
What if I break down just before surgery?
I'm scared of breaking down in the operating room, has anuone had this happen to them or afraid it might? — JOAN D. (posted on September 13, 2002)
September 13, 2002
You know what? Don't sweat it... from what I've read, you aren't the
first, and you won't be the last. Honestly though, when I had my surgery,
they gave me valium in my very first IV... so I was pretty relaxed
beforehand. And... ummmm.... I was a wreck before surgery, so the
surgeon's office was kind enough to give me a one day prescription of
valium the day before. So don't sweat it... you'll do great! :)
— Kelly B.
September 13, 2002
My surgeon has had a few get up off the table and leave. ALL have
rescheduled and had successful surgeries. But the thinking about it pre op
is the terrible. This only makes matters worse. I encourage you to take a
post op to dinner, attend support group meetings and buy barb thompsons
book. All of this helps SO MUCH. Remember pre op is the pits, POST OP IS
THE PLACE TO BE!!
— bob-haller
September 13, 2002
Hello,
when my daughter got into the operating room last March her last
thoughts as they prepared her was to tell them, "ya know, thanks for
all this, sorry I wasted your time': thanks for all the trouble you went
through; but i really gotta leave now!!!" lol. that was l05 lbs ago!
I had the same sensation about 8 weeks ago. As they were wheeling me into
the OR I was thinking, ya know, this is just too real! I remember just
thinking about the surgery and here I am on a gourney! anyway, I stayed.
I do highly recommend telling your doctor and any hospital nurse who will
listen when you arrive about your fears and I think they have stuff you
relax you almost immediately. Best of luck to you.
Monika Walls, DE
— Monika W.
September 13, 2002
Yes, I had a really hard time right before surgery. After I had gotten
into the gown in the little room before they wheeled me into the operating
room, they started my IV and I was OUT!!! Don't remember being moved out
of the little room even!! That was REALLY helpful. Before I got the IV, I
was crying and had been convinced for weeks that I was going to die. The
first thing I said to my Dr. was "I didn't die!!". My advice to
you is to get that IV as soon as possible!!! Good luck!
— Loretta E.
September 13, 2002
My pcp prescribed prozac for me while I waited for a surgery date and all I
had to do was tell my anesthesist that I was getting nervous and she fixed
that. Ask for help if you need it - better than allowing yourself to suffer
stress - I don't think the stress is good for you.
— charlene M.
September 14, 2002
I didnt sleep a wink the night before surgery...I cried the entire way to
the hospital. When I got into the OR prep for IV and the before surgery
stuff I asked the nurse, "How much would it cost if I just stopped
right now?" She smiled and went and got my doctor. They told me they
were goingto give me a little something to ease my nerves. Next thing I
remember is waking up in my room!! When I woke up I didnt care how much it
hurt, I was just soooo thrilled the surgery part was over.I have said it
andposted it a million times..the WORST part of this suregry is WAITING FOR
THE SURGERY. I looked at every memorial and complication story I could
find the week prior to surgery. I was sure with my luck something would go
wrong. Im now 10 weeks out, down 53 lbs, and lost over 30 odd inches
total. I had ZERO complications!!! Have faith in your doctor and
yourself. You will do great!! Hang in there!!! Best Wishes...Tonya
— Tonya H.
September 14, 2002
I think we all feel that way before surgery. I know I did. I kept thinking,
"I can still back out!" even as they were wheeling me into the
OR. I was so freaked out.
They put a little black mask over my mouth and nose and told me to breath
the oxygen in deeply. Well....it was just oxygen right? So I did. That was
the very last thing I remember until I woke up in the recovery room on the
other side! Try to just keep focusing on your new life after surgery. How
fabulous your going to look and feel in a year! That is what I tried to do.
You gotta ask yourself how bad you want this, and if it is bad enough, then
you will do it and get through it. If you back out, then you may not be
ready yet. It is a huge step, and I won't tell you that there have been
days I haven't regretted it. But, the good days definitely are outweighing
the bad ones! And I can't wait until I go and see my Mom next year and she
doesn't even recognize me when I step off the plane. I am so happy I did
it! Good Luck to you!!! (open RNY 7/23/02 -50 lbs)
— Shawnie S.
September 14, 2002
As confident as I was right up to the day of the surgery, I was very
nervous walking into the operating room. There's a lot of equipment and
machinery there and it's intimidating. The surgical team did a great job
helping to relax me by telling jokes and acting like this was a simple
routing thing. I really felt like they knew what they were doing and I was
able to put my trust in them. They told me to have a good nap, that I'd be
asleep in 30 seconds and they'd see me soon. I'm sure everone who's had
this done felt a little nervous about it. If you're worried, ask if they
can give you a sedative prior to going in to the operating room. Good luck
to you. - Mike
— Michael N.
September 15, 2002
I started crying in the prep room just outside the operating room. I
couldn't stop but as soon as they were ready for me and wheeled me in to
the OR I was fine. Then they knocked me out and I woke up on the other
side. When I was crying I got the idea that it wasn't so unusual, You
won't be the first to lose it and you won't be the last. Good luck
— Alison N.
September 15, 2002
I was a vervous wreck all up to the night before. I was amazed that I
didn't break down. I am also truely amazed with all the reponses about
people "WALKING" into the OR and not being wheeled in...WEIRD TO
ME? What kind of hospital would make you walk into the OR? If I had to
walk in, I don't think I would have done it. Just relax, have your last
meal or meals, spend a quality night with your family, maybe get a
pedicure/manicure the day prior or a massage to relax you and just BREATHE!
Good Luck.
— heathercross
September 15, 2002
hi there! i did much praying and thinking and meditating about this whole
thing before hand and being that everything had fallen into place so
perfectly with no problems or obstacles i took that as a sign that all was
ok and this was definetly something that was meant to be.even with my mind
set this way i still was very emotional before surgery. i had said my i
love yous and my goodbyes to my loved ones but my parents were late
arriving and i was a mess.i was like a child again needing a big hug from
mom and dad to make it all better. they told me no one was aloud in the
prep room but when my parents arrived they did let my mom come in and when
i saw her i began weeping uncontollably. she took me into her arms and we
cried together. she then lightened it up by telling me " this is a
good thing carrie and just think by this time next year youll be smaller
than me you little snot!" it did good for me to hear that and we
chuckled im happy to say all went well and i have no regrets! best of luck
to you and know that whatever emotions you go through on your day are
normal and you are not alone.
— carrie M.
September 16, 2002
Hi there. I was perfectly fine emotionally until the morning of the
surgery. As the minutes ticked by until they wheeled me into the OR I was
getting more and more nervous. By the time I had said goodbye to my husband
I started tearing up. When I was in the OR they all asked me if I was OK
and I couldnt stop crying. I was sooo scared. My dr was totally reassuring
and next thing I knew it was over and I came out fine. It is totally normal
to be nervous. I would think it odd if you weren't! Best of luck to you :')
— Maureen P.
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