Question:
My surgery date is in only three days and I am getting scared. Help!
I am nervous about the procedure even though my doctor has run through it a number of times. Can any recen post-ops please describe their experience the day of surgery? What was the hardest part? How did you cope? — Michelle L. (posted on December 3, 2001)
December 2, 2001
As to being frightened:one would have to incredibly ignorant or unusually
stupid not to be. I was frightened, but not as frightened as I was of a 350
pound future which was looking increasingly uncomfortable and probably very
brief as well. When your day dawns, you're going to be too busy to worry.
Hang in there kid.
— Chuck O.
December 3, 2001
I said good bye to my 4-year-old daughter and I was fine. I got to the
hospital and I was fine. I went to the nurses station and she lead me down
the hall to my pre-op holding room and I started crying like a baby with
colic! I started thinking about dying and not seeing my daughter. I knew
I was going to die and miss the holidays, miss my entire family. As I'm
standing there crying I got my gown on and I layed in bed crying--begging
my mom for approval to back out! She wouldn't let herself be the catalyst
for backing out, she just reminded me why I wanted to do this with my
particular doctor. It didn't help...I still wanted to leave. The gurney
came for me and I cried getting on..I cried going down the hall and down
the elevator and in the surgery holding room. Then the anesthiologist
(sp?) came and got me ready for my epidrual and gave me a shot to calm me
down. Well, I remember stopping crying and feeling calm and relaxed. They
took me to the operating room and I saw this mask coming towards me and
that's all I remember. I woke up in recovery in absolutely NO pain
whatsoever. I got to my room and was just so thankful that I survived.
Can you believe I was shocked to wake up in recovery. I was estatic! But,
because I'm paranoid, I started doing my leg excercises to prevent blood
clots. Pain was definately managable. Just getting in and out of bed hurt
a little, but besides that I was comfy. I regretted it for a while because
I did have some lingering problems...I wished I had left the hospital that
morning. But, now I'm 2.5 months post-op and down nearly 80 lbs; I'm so
glad I did it! If I would've left I would never be having as much fun as I
am now. Just try to relax, be calm and understand that you will be just
fine. Good Luck in your surgery, I'll be praying for you.
— Kristin R.
December 3, 2001
Know that the feelings you are having are completely normal. I prayed a
lot. I prayed for peace and God gave it to me, I was calm and looking
forward to waking up after the procedure. I was just ready to get it done.
Do things that help you relax. If its deep breathing, then do that.
Meditation. Prayer. Whatever works for you. Death is such a teeny tiney
percentage that I kept it far from my mind. You will do great. I haven't
regretted it for a skinny minute. 3 1/2 wks post-op, 27lbs.down.
— Cheri M.
December 3, 2001
Oh, and after the surgery...I didn't wake up in recovery, or I just don't
recall waking up there. The first thing I remember is waking up in my
room, in no pain whatsoever. They gave me morphine the first night and the
next half day for pain and it was super. The things I was hooked up to:
blood pressure cuff stayed on, heart & resp. monitor, nasal cannula for
O2, catheter which was really no biggie, and the leg things that blow up
every 5 minutes to prevent blood clots. That kept me from getting much
sleep. I was really thirsty, but no ice chips until the next day. I asked
for a wet washcloth to wipe out my mouth (and I sucked on it a little bit,
didn't get much out of it but it was wonderful). Getting up and walking was
uncomfortable with a little pain, but everyones pain tolerance is
different. It really went by so fast that it is becoming a faint memory.
— Cheri M.
December 3, 2001
I too had fears but also did a lot of praying and God gave me peace. When I
woke up in recovery I was in pain but they gave me something right away and
within just a couple of minutes it was gone. I used the pain pump about
once an hour and that was mostly so I could relax and sleep. The first
night was hard because of the NG tube and I had a lot of anxioty and
probably like most I wished I had not done it. But that feeling does go
away. I lost 15 pounds my first week. Oh, I didn't think the leak test
was as bad as most people say. Also they will give you some ice water with
a swab and it helps it you swab your tongue and spit out the excess. You
don't want to swallowing anything until you leak test. I am almost 4 weeks
out and I can tell you that you really will get through this. Pray for
peace and accept your decision as the right thing for you. I have 2 girls
and I know I will be a better mom after all this.
— Kelly C.
December 3, 2001
Hi, I am 3 weeks post op. I was a little nervous going in. They prep you
and you lay around and wait to be taken in. None of it was a big deal.
Once you get to the OR you are out like a light and find yourself waking up
to nice people. You will be cold and may or may not feel pain...I did not
feel what I was expecting. They ask you to rate your pain...I said 3 (0-5
scale) but I don't recall really hurting. My back hurt! I am not a back
sleeper and I just spent severals hours on it. If it bothers to lay flat on
your back on a hard surface ask if they would roll a blanket under your
knees in the OR...I wish I had, I would have felt better.
The worst part of my day? My hubby arrived at noon...I was in my room by
11 am... with a tray of food and a big pop. I was dying of thirst and not
allowed drink for 2 days! The smell of the food made me nuts and I wanted
to kill him. Being thirsty was hard. Going to the bathroom wired like an
entertainment center was hard. Pain was handled by morphine pump.
Be sure to get a private room...it is worth it...only $20 per day more for
me. You will not be in the mood for listening to other people or their
visitors.
You'll be fine.
— valerie S.
December 3, 2001
It will be fine. Read my profile it details my experiences in a diary form.
I did this to try to help others like yourself. PLEASE, once your home and
feelingt better take a few minutes each day to help other pre ops like you
are now. Its rewarding and gives something back for ALL the support I got
here myself before surgery. TOO many jus fade away, please become aregular
poster helping others....
— bob-haller
December 3, 2001
I have been through the surgery twice in the past year. Seven wks ago was
for a revision but the experience was the same as it was for the open rny.
Amazingly, I was pretty calm on both occasions. It seems like the week
prior to the actual DAY was the hardest. It is like a rollercoaster of
emotions and that is normal. I did start to "lose it" on the
morning of the procedure when I sat in the waiting area for them to take me
to the preop room. I started praying to myself and saying over and over
"oh God, let me be ok, please help me.,etc." and it kept getting
more and more intense. Finally, I guess after He had heard enough of my
begging, an inner voice spoke to me "Ok, you have turned this over to
me more than once now. It is in control. Now, do this for Me. Show the
faith that you profess and be strong as a witness to others.". Wow!
I calmed down immediately. Once you get into the preop area, things go so
fast and you get the "I don't care" shot. Then the next thing
you know you are in recovery room! You will be fine! Remember the risk
factor for WLS is about the same as with an appendectomy. You will be
soooooo happy to be postop. Just use your inner strength and the peace
that belief in God gives you. I recall thinking it is like the first time
you jump off a diving board. Just close your eyes, have faith, and JUMP!
God bless you and give you peace. If you get to talk to your surgeon
before surgery, he/she will emit such confidence it calms you down too. My
surgeon was so wonderful on the morning of surgery, smiling and so in
control of everyone else. I knew I was in good hands with him and with God
too.
— Marilyn C.
December 3, 2001
I was nervous at first as well. I got to the hospital about 5:30 am,
checked in then was taken to the surgery area where they asked the same ole
questions over again like have you had surgery before when did you have
reaction to anesthia etc. then they take vitals give you a gown. then a
nurse comes in asks the same questions over again helps you put on support
stockings and these leg circulators to help keep you from clotting. ( i
couldn't wear them cause I was too big and they didn't fit.) then you talk
with the anathesiaologist who asks you the same questions again. then
someone puts an iv in. they gave me a little vercet to make me very happy.
then they wheel you to surgery and you get on this very uncomfortable table
they hook up monitors etc. then the knock out doc, knocks you out and the
next thing you know you wake up in recovery. I was cold and in a bit of
pain, but then they gave me the morphine button and all was right with the
world. hope this helps you, oh I did say my prayers before I went under but
that is just something I did. You will be fine good luck e-mail me if you
have any other questions.
— sherri W.
December 3, 2001
Hi Michelle.. I'm 5 weeks postop, several other people have described the
day of your surgery, questions, etc..I didn't get scared until those big
doors opened up and I had to walk through leaving my fiance', son & mom
behind. That was hard for me. The one thing I kept reminding myself that
whole night before and that morning-- was the long list of things I was
going to look forward to doing after my surgery and as time progressed.
Some examples are- dancing, swimming, crossing my legs easily, playing ball
with our son, climbing stairs without getting winded, etc... Maybe you can
sit in a private area, open up your heart and start writing down all of the
things, both personal, and professional that YOU will look forward to
doing. After all, you are doing this surgery for a healthier life! Seeing
it in black and white helped me.. Good luck and keep us posted! S.K.
— S. K.
December 3, 2001
It's normal to be nervous! I think most everyone is. I only had 4 days
notice for my surgery so I was in such a whirlwind of activity trying to
get all of my pre-op testing done on time and putting my house in order and
making sure I was prepared for when I came home, that I was so exhausted by
the time of my surgery, I welcomed the chance to rest. I was surprising
calm on my way to the hospital and I really thought I would be the one who
would be scared out of my wits and concider bolting. It just never
happened. Try to keep as busy as you can, have someone with you so you can
talk and try to focus on a subject other then your surgery. It will be
over before you know it and you'll be heading home and loosing weight and
wondering why you didn't do thid 2 years ago. Good Luck.
— Susan M.
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