Question:
Did anyone else have scary/graphic dreams pre-op?

I've been having the most gruesome dreams these last few nights. I've dreamt of waking up during surgery, and also of my incision bursting open. I have to admit they are scary dreams, but I'm not backing down from having surgery. I was just wondering if this was normal.    — Mariann S. (posted on April 4, 2002)

April 4, 2002
Hi there ~ I have not had dreams regarding the surgery - in fact, I've been concerned because I haven't and I dream a lot. Our sub-conscious minds and our super-conscious minds are powerful, powerful things and as we rest, and our guards our down, some of the everyday fears that are obviously there as we start to make this transition doesn't have the ability to shield themselves as much as we might like. I wouldn't read too much into it - I really wouldn't. Try to release the fear, as much as possible, and stay within a powerful healing light and just know your going to do great before, during & after surgery. Best of blessings to you ~ Lisa
   — Lisa J.

April 4, 2002
I was to report to the surgery room at 6:00 a.m. and had the alarm set for 4:30 a.m. At about 4:10 a.m. that morning I woke up hyperventilating (panting like a dog) and had never done that before. I bolted straight up in the bed and was soaking wet with sweat. I had a dream that there was a man in a big black robe with a hood over his head and a long stick in his hand poking me and saying "Come on, come with me." When I finally got a look at his face, it was a skeleton and he kept poking me with that stick trying to get me to "go with him". Man I was scared. Woke up and realized it was surgery day. I shook it off, thinking I didn't come this far just to let a nightmare scare me off. Our minds do weird things. We can't control our dreams and I'm not an interpreter of dreams but it was a freaky experience. P.S. Everything turned out fine. I went thru the surgery with flying colors, the recovery was a snap and I am over 5 months post op and down 70+ lbs. So good luck on your journey.
   — blank first name B.

April 4, 2002
That's weird because I just had a dream last night that I didn't get my papers filled out by my doctor on time so they said I had to pay for the surgery. So I went to some back alley doctor and when I woke up he had sewed me up with yarn. Everyone kept asking me why I did that. I was so mad at myself because BTC called me later on that same day and said everything was OK and that it was going to get payed for. That was the only dream i've had though I have surgery April 11.
   — Trish B.

April 4, 2002
You know it's funny, I didn't have any pre-op, but, I am now 6 months post-op and I have had 3 dreams in the last week about my surgery. Twice I have woken up during surgery and once my incision busted open and all my guts fell out. Obviously none of that stuff happened. In fact I came through with flying colors and have had zero complications, but my mind is goofing on me this last week. Weird huh?
   — Danielle M.

April 4, 2002
I had strange dreams when I was preop...very similiar to the dreams that occured during my three pregnancies. I guess events such as these are so life altering, the mind doesn't stop thinking about them when we go to sleep. I never had frightening dreams, just bizarre ones.
   — Donna L.

April 4, 2002
My surgery is coming up in 6 days (April 10th) and I have been dreaming a lot lately, too. I haven't had any bad dreams, though. I have been dreaming about my mom who past away 9 years ago when I was 23 and she was only 48. She was by best friend and it has always been hard on me with the fact that she never got a chance to see my children. In my dreams she didn't die but was in a coma and has woken up from it. I am so excited because she is able to see my kids and tells me that my oldest son really looks like me. They really don't have anything to do with the surgery but I have never had such clear and detailed dreams about my mom in all of these 9 years. It really makes me feel good and gives me comfort in feeling as though she is with me through this dramatic time in my life. It is strange how something like this surgery makes things like that happen.
   — Dona R.

April 4, 2002
I still have 2 months to go, but I have had one scary dream. It was that I had just got out of surgery and was still full of pain meds, but I knew it was going to wear off soon. I had to find the doctor to give me more pain meds, and I was terrified as I was looking for him that the meds would wear off and I would be in horrible pain. Mostly, I keep having dreams that surgery is over and I am getting thinner and feeling great and so glad it is over. Then I wake up and I get mad that I still have a while until surgery. Also, I want to give props to Carolyn for still having surgery after that dream. If I had a dream like that the night before surgery, I don't think I would go through with it!
   — Jennifer Y.

October 30, 2005
I have been having the most bizzare dreams lately also. I am going for my 1st consultation in 2 days. I wonder what will happen in dream land after that!
   — Ms. Shrinkydink