Question:
What can I do to get over this pre-op nervousness?
It's to the point where I can't sleep. I can still eat though unfortunately :p but I can't sleep. I am tired, but can't relax or stop thinking enough to sleep. It's not that I'm nervous about the operation, I'm looking forward to it, but I guess I'm worrying about life afterwards. Did other people feel this way? I know I can handle the lifestyle and the eating changes but I am still anxious. Anyone got some ideas on how to clam down or how they handled pre-op jitters? — Renee V. (posted on March 4, 2002)
March 4, 2002
THERE IS NO EASY ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, I READ A BOOK TO KEEP MY MIND
OCCUPIED, BUT EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, JUST TRY TO REMAIN CALM, IT WILL ALL
BE OVER BEFORE YOU KNOW IT! GOOD LUCK
— rebecca N.
March 4, 2002
I am not an overly religious person. Before I had my surgery I read a post
that someone left on the message board. It said. I have made the right
choice, It is no longer in my hands. Turn if over to god. This seemed to
help me. When ever I would begen to worry. I would just stop and tell
myself. "You have made you choice NOW TURN IT OVER." This seemed
to help calm me down.
— Jane L.
March 4, 2002
Renee, Have you tried 'planning' your post-op life. Make all your plans
for your dream vacation. Pretend money is no object and you can go
anywhere you want for as long as you want. Where would you go. What would
you want to do? to see? If you could meet anyone in the world on your
trip, who would it be? What would you want to talk to them about? Plan
your daughter's wedding. Design a dress for her and her bridesmaids in
your mind. Decorate the church and the reception hall. Think of all the
things you want to do post-op. What's the one thing you've always wanted
to do, but have been afraid to? Think about gathering up all your courage
and doing it.
— garw
March 4, 2002
Renee ~ For a few weeks prior to surgery, I was convinced I was going
insane. I even had three different surgery dates, so I'd go crazy then be
okay, then go crazy, then be okay then go crazy. Writing about how I felt
helped me. Positive reinforcement helped. As hard as I thought about it I
couldn't come up with one decent reason to not have this surgery.
Unfortunately there really isn't much you can do about pre-op nervousness.
if you were scared, you wouldn't be human. Just treat yourself well, take
baths, have some good times with family or friends, treat yourself to a
movie or a show, and try to enjoy yourself. It may sound silly, but I
would (and still) go to online travel sites and fantasy plan a dream
vacation for when I reach my goal weight. It cheers me up when I am down.
My best wishes to you for a successful surgery!
— PaulaM
March 4, 2002
regarding my previous response: I meant if you weren't scared you would
not be human. Alo, now that I have seen Gar's response, I guess my dream
vacation planning isn't so silly after all. :)
— PaulaM
March 4, 2002
I was a nervous wreck before surgery. I had trouble sleeping and I ate out
of control. I gained 25 pounds after I got approved. One of the things
that helped me was looking at the before and after pics. I did that for
hours. It helped me to be able to dream about my new life. I hope this
helps. Your Weight Loss Pal.
— DeeDubbs
March 4, 2002
Renee,
I understand exactly how you feel. My surgery is this coming Friday. Even
though I know this is the right decision, I fear post op complications. I
wonder if I am being selfish, by taking this surgical risk. Then I tell
myself that long term, I am giving my family a gift. A HEATHIER WIFE AND
MOM. God bless you.
Kathryn Lee
— Kathryn L.
March 4, 2002
Attend local support group meetings and socialize with post ops. Take one
to dinner, it will cost little:) Read my profile, your normal. IF I could
of seen just a little bit of my post op life BEFORE surgery I would of been
THRILLED to get on that table.. rather than scared to death.....
— bob-haller
March 4, 2002
I wish I could give you the solution...but I can't. I just had open RNY on
1/17 and I cried so much...up until I was put under for surgery. What I did
and it did help me was looked at the before and after photos on this site,
read the Q&A postings everyday and just focused on the new me. I made a
list of things I planned on doing, what would be highlights for me (i.e.,
shopping at Victoria Secrets, treating myself to designer perfumes, wearing
shorts again). I'm down a little over 50 pounds now and my life is still
not back to normal but I am getting there...slowly. Good luck to you.
Everything will be fine.
— Janice P.
March 4, 2002
Well....Nothing I can say can take away these jitters....Just remember they
are good....You are doing a good thing for yourself....Without these
emotions we would not be human....Try doing meditation and focus on the
breathing before bed....Just relax and let yourself go....It helped me a
great deal....As the day gets closer these emotions will get more
intense.....BUT once you are on the "other side" you can enjoy
your new life that has been given to you!!! It will all work out....Just
take care of yourself and try to take some time to have just for you even a
bath or just reading...These are all relaxing things that can make you feel
calm and happy!!! Good Luck
— Melissa S.
March 5, 2002
I agree 100% with the previous posters and they all gave wonderful advice
but I do know that for me what has really helped with those pre-op jitters
was talking with my doctor and getting a perscription for Zanex!!! I have
never been on any type of medication like this before and since Im not
planning on taking it afterwards I decided to try it and Im so glad that I
did. I only take it in the evenings and it does relax me so that I can
sleep well. You need to be well rested for surgery or else recovery will
be even harder!! So talk to your doctor and good luck!!
— mastrnservnt
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