Question:
Did anyone cry while nurses were preparing you for surgery?
I am afraid I will start crying while getting prepared to be taken into the surgery room. Did anyone else cry? Or am I a big bawling baby? Thanks, surgery in 14 days. — Maggie M. (posted on April 29, 2003)
April 28, 2003
Diane G.
I too cried. It is a scary thing when you think that MAYBE this will be
the last time you see someone on this earth. But God is faithful. He will
see you to the other side. Have a safe journey.
— Jazi in N FL W.
April 28, 2003
I cried while they were getting me ready. The nurse asked me what was
wrong, and I told her that I was scared - I just wanted to see my little
baby again. (He was 14 months old.) I was scared that something would
happen to me on the operating table, and I wouldn't see him again. She
hugged me and reassured me that I was with one of the best surgeons in the
state, and she was right!
— raye
April 28, 2003
I didn't cry, but I started shaking like a leaf. The nurses assumed I was
cold, but I was just plain scared! Everyone is, and shows it one way or
another. Don't even worry about that part!
— AmyL
April 28, 2003
I guess I was too excited to get upset, plus so much was going on that I
did'nt have time to think about it. When I woke up.....tears, tears, tears!
I asked to be put back under lol Don't worry about it, you will do fine :o)
Good luck hun!
— Sandy M.
April 28, 2003
YES!! As soon as they made my boyfriend leave the room, I broke
down...thinking it could be the last time I see him. I felt so stupid, but
my anesthesiologist and nurses were awesome. Especially the
anesthesiologist...he said, "Don't worry, I'm about to give you a
cocktail that will make you forget all about this crying!" He was so
sweet!! And he was right....I don't remember a thing at all after that
until I woke up in recovery. Don't worry about it, it's only natural to
feel scared at that time. GOOD LUCK!!!
— Teresa W.
April 28, 2003
I didnt cry, but I sure was nervous. I was shaking like a leaf and I could
feel my heart pounding real hard, plus my blood pressure shot way up too.
Right before they took me to the OR they gave me some stuff through my IV
to relax me called Versed. That stuff will knock you out! I dont even
remember going to the OR, they gave me that stuff and the next thing I know
I was in recovery. Maybe they can give you something to relax you before
you go in. Good luck with your surgery!
— Kris T.
April 29, 2003
Cry? Oh, yes. And shake, too. And I kept telling everyone/anyone that I
was so scared, so scared. I'm sure they've seen it all, including patients
who've gotten off the gurney and refused surgery Go ahead and cry; it
helps get through those last moments before they slip you their version of
a Micky Finn. Nina in Maine
— [Deactivated Member]
April 29, 2003
When I first got into my room and the nurse was doing the IV's and other
prep I didn't cry but I threw up I was so scared. Then just before going
into the OR. I cried then
— Christine A.
April 29, 2003
Hi, Diane. You are NOT a big bawling baby!! There was so much going on
preparing me for surgery that I didn't get a chance to cry UNTIL I was on
the operating table just before they put me under. All of a sudden
everything got a little quiet and it gave me a chance to think and that's
all it took. Tears started rolling down my cheeks. Both the nurse and my
surgeon patted me on the shoulder and told me everything would be all
right. The next thing I knew, I was in recovery and the surgical nurse was
telling me it was all over and everything went great. That was two weeks
ago and she was right--everything has been great!! Good luck to
you.--Julie
— Julia T.
April 29, 2003
Everyone reacts differently to the last moment situation. I had a bizarre
reaction to say the least. If you read my profile, I was very worried
before the surgery. At the hospital, I was eerily calm. I was laughing
and joking with the nurses. My husband was waiting in the wrong place and
I didn't even see him before I went into the O.R. I was calm and happy. I
didn't get any "happy" drugs at all preop. We all react
differently and handle the stress in our own way. I was SURE I'd flip out
in the preop area. Know that the staff has seen it all before and your
reaction is not going to be something they haven't dealt with many times.
I wish you the best journey.
— Kate G.
April 29, 2003
I wanted to cry but I felt I had to be brave for my Mom and Dad. On the
way to the hospital, my Dad tried to talk me out of the surgery because he
was so worried about me. They were with me until the nurse took me back to
the "holding pen" where they put in the IV and something to relax
me, I thought I would let it all out there out of view of my parents but I
didnt have a chance. Things moved so fast I didnt have time to cry. I
wanted to back out but the drugs kicked in and I was out. When I woke up,
I told the nurse I didnt want to do it and she told me it was done. I had
to look down my gown to make sure! I said well ok then and went back to
sleep. Your feelings are normal so if you want to cry, cry. Get it all
out. Just think about what a great outcome you will have. Good luck and
best wishes to you. Sidney Open RNY 10-23-02 down 80+
— Siddy I.
April 29, 2003
I did cry. I didn't think I was scared of having surgery but I guess it all
was inside and came out. I started crying after the nurse spent 15 minutes
trying to get an iv in me then went to my other arm to take blood. I
immediately started crying and she asked if she hurt me. I told her no but
I hated getting my blood taken. After that outburst I was fine. Guess I
needed that. The nurses and everyone else that deals with you are very
understanding and will try to help you in any way they can.
— Dee ,.
April 29, 2003
Your question really touched me, because I was pretty scared going in, too.
I found that I was crying as much out of "fear of the unknown",
as out of gratitude for having been given this incredible opportunity.
Remember, pre-op nurses are a special breed - they know what to look for,
and have a wonderful way of making you feel safe and protected. This is
not only a life SAVING operation, but life AFFIRMING as well. Go ahead and
cry those tears of fear, but realize that some of them are tears of JOY as
well! All the best to you! (PS, I'm 18 days post-op, down 20 lbs., and
left the hospital after 48 hours completely off all pain meds - YOU'LL BE
FINE!!!) :)
— momstah
April 29, 2003
I was fine until the nurse came to take me to surgery, I started crying and
everyone with me started to cry, they all hugged me and tried to scoot out
as quickly as possible. But after we headed down the hall to OR, it was
like God put his hand on my shoulder and I knew it would all be OK.....
— csmurphy67
April 29, 2003
If it gets bad, just ask for something to calm you. My surgery was at 8:00
am and my doctor admits you the day before, so I had my happy pills as soon
as I woke up :) I do not remember much after that.
— Marcy S.
April 29, 2003
Hi Diane. Don't feel like a big baby. This is a life changing event and is
very scary. I cried my eyes out. But the nurses were very supportive. My
biggest fear was being rolled down to the operation room. I thought I would
just jump right off the table. However, I was given something in my IV
before being rolled off and didn't remember a thing until I woke up. Thank
goodness for the knock out meds, huh! Good Luck and GOD Bless! Open RNY
03/24/03 26 lbs.
— Steph P.
April 29, 2003
Hi ! Thanks so much for posting this question ! I have been thinking about
the same thing, especially since I tear up just thinking about the day of
surgery. We have the same surgery date! If you would like to e-mail me
privatly I would love to compare our stats and keep up with each other on
our journey! Good luck and I will keep you in my prayers
Lindsay [email protected]
— Lindsay F.
April 29, 2003
Hi Diane,
I did fine until I was in the holding room ready to go in and then I looked
at my family and lost it. The nurse told the doctor I needed a little happy
juice and the next thing I remember is waking up in recovery. Good luck to
you and don't worry if you cry.
— Gigi D.
May 2, 2003
I cried off and on for about a week before the surgery. As brave as I
tried to pretend to be, I was still scared. The day of surgery, I was fine
until it was just me and my husband in the pre-op holding area with the
nurse. Then, as I was trying to find a Kleenex to wipe the tears away, the
anesthesiologist came in and said he was going to help me relax as they
rolled me into surgery, and that was the last thing I remember until I woke
up after the surgery! You'll be experiencing a lot of feelings before,
during, and after...it's normal. Just let yourself experience them. Good
luck and I'll keep you in my prayers for a quick and uneventful surgery.
— lezawomack
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