Question:
BEING NERVOUS BEFORE SURGERY

I'M REALLY NOT NERVOUS ABOUT MY SURGERY, BUT I'M AFRAID ONCE I GET THERE AND HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE SURGERY I WILL BECOME VERY NERVOUS. DO THEY USUALLY GIVE YOU ANYTHING TO CALM YOU DOWN WHILE YOUR WAITING? AND DO YOU ASK YOUR NURSE OR DOCTOR?    — sandy V. (posted on February 6, 2003)

February 6, 2003
hi there :) i was very nervous, thats a pretty normal reaction going through any surgery really. :) while i was wating, they did give me something, i dont know the name of it but it helps to calm and relax a person, i didnt ask for it nor did i give any indications that i needed it, i think that this is just the norm that they do while preping the person. best of luck to you! :)
   — carrie M.

February 6, 2003
I was also very nervous just waiting there. We had to be there at 5am, and the surgery wasn't even scheduled to start until like 8am or later. SO you can imagine all the waiting I had to do! But you are all set up, in the gown in the pre-surgery area for like 2 hours. They gave me an injection of something, and just like the previous poster said, I didn't ask for it. I'm pretty sure it's standard, it completely relaxes you. Also, my mom and dad and boyfriend were there with me and allowed to be with me up until I got wheeled away, so that helped alot, too! See if you can have family there, it helps to relax. Congrats on your upcoming surgery!!
   — Lezlie Y.

February 6, 2003
hi..i was nervous too..but i made it, so will you!! it is very normal to be worried! this is a huge step,,,but once you get to the hospital they keep you so busy you do not have a chance to think about being nervous! you get there, sign in, they do vitals, get you into the hospital gown, before you know it the dr is starting the iv and your are asleep...next thing you are in recovery!! good luck!
   — nan K.

February 6, 2003
Hi, I really wasn't nervous before my surgery either. I was given Versed before they wheeled me into the OR, which I am sure they do to everyone to prevent you from freaking out at the last minute. They injected it into my IV and I was out of it immediatley. They could have operated on me right then I don't think I would have cared! :o)
   — fropunka

February 6, 2003
Like Sheila, I walked into the OR and jumped up onto the operating table undrugged. I wasn't really nervous until they put the maskover my face. I understand from speaking to others that they can give you a shot of valium or something to take the edge off if necessary. It's normal to be nervous, though. Good luck to you.
   — Michael N.

February 7, 2003
I was pretty nervous right before surgery too. So nervous in fact that my blood pressure shot way up to 200/90. Right before they wheeled me to the OR the nurse shot some Versed into my IV. I was out right away. I dont even remember going to the OR. The next thing I know I was waking up in recovery. Good luck with your surgery!
   — Kris T.