Question:
I had a panic attack right before my surgery, now what?

I need to know what happens now. My surgery was scheduled for July 12th. I went to the hospital and everything was going well. When I was taken into the OR for the surgery I had a panic attack. It was so bad that I refused to have it done. I regretted that decisions the minute I walked out to the parking lot of the hospital. I have not changed my mind; I still feel that this procedure is the answer for me. I need to know if any one has experienced anything like this. Now what will happen is my question. What will the doctor do? What will the insurance do with my authorization? Can I still have the surgery? I need any information I can get. Thanks for helping!!!!!!    — Stacie K. (posted on July 14, 2002)

July 14, 2002
Not to worry..I did the exact same thing. I was on the table in the pre-op room when I went in to a full blown panic attack and FLED. Turns out I had a reaction to some anti nausea medication, as the reaction happened immediateley after they injected the meds. It took me 2 days until my heart stopped pounding from the attack, and after a dose of atavan, I was fine. I had my "real" surgery on April 12, and all went perfectly. No issues whatsoever with my insurance. My advice, talk to the doc and the anesthesiologist before you go back in, tell them what happened, and have a plan B. In my case I made sure they gave me Versed pretty quick when I got there, and it was great. I also took atavan on the prior evening, and one dose in the am before I left for the hospital, with my doctor's consent, of course. FYI, I am not someone who has panic attacks, and I NEVER had any doubts about the surgery, other than the usual jitters. Again, my surgery was a great success, and I feel better mentally and physically than I have in YEARS!!! You will be fine. This is a very common occurance. Email me if you would like any other input. ~~~~GOOD LUCK~~~~~
   — Michelle P.

July 14, 2002
First relax, your not the first this has occured to. Call your surgeon and reschedule. But DO get some anti anxiety meds before surgery! My surgeon has had a couple folks climb off the table at the last moment. They went on to have surgery and do well. YOU can do it too... Now get a move on POST OP IS THE PLACE TO BE!
   — bob-haller

July 14, 2002
I'm not intending to panic (surgery Aug. 5), but I know my insurance authorization is good until November, so insurance shouldn't be an issue!
   — jen41766

July 14, 2002
Man, next time make sure they give you drugs. They gave me Versed, and I didn't have a care in the world and was actually giggling at the walls that were breathing.
   — Jennifer Y.

July 14, 2002
I was worried about doing the same thing so as soon as they came in to tell me about the drugs i explained my concern to them and told him i was afraid i would change my mind on the way to the operating room. When in all acutality i really wanted to do this. That wonderful...hehe man gave me something right then and there in my i.v. I tell you i don't remember a thing after that....woooohoooo basically what i'm saying is just tell someone that you really do want to do this and they will make sure you get what you need to make it through....good luck to you debbie
   — deborah D.

July 15, 2002
Almost the exact same thing happened to me. Take a look at my profile...and you will see that my surgeon got me right back in in 2 weeks to have the surgery done. The second time around, they gave me so much versed I was out before I hit the OR! Good luck to you, girl! My surgeon was very understanding about what happened...and now he gets a good laugh everytime I'm in his office for post-op appointments :) hehe He keeps callin me his "little scared one" It's funny now...but at the time I regretted it BIGTIME! GOod luck to you!
   — robinleigh