Question:
Help! Surgery in one week!
Hey guys - you have been so helpful during this journey, I think I need some encouragement right now. I thought I had 4-6 weeks left until surgery but they called and have scheduled surgery for next Tuesday. Now that it is here, I'm scared to death! I believe everything is going to go ok, but I guess it is just the normal anxiety that everyone goes through. However, I used to have panic attacks (haven't had one in 8 months) but I find myself really having to "breathe them out". It has worked so far, but geez, what's going to happen when next Tuesday gets here? For those of you who got a quick surgery date, did you have time to calm down before the big day arrived? I know this is what I want to do, I have perfect peace about it, but am still anxious. Thanks for your help! — Denise B. (posted on August 12, 2003)
August 12, 2003
Hi there. To me even if the surgery date is much further off than I
expected I don't think you are truly prepared for the surgery on the day it
gets here. (MY OPINION) I felt as if in the beginning it was like
jeez...when is it ever going to get here and then when it did I was trying
to remember everything about it and what goes on and what if this happens
and that happens etc. Then I thought here it is I am just going to deal
with it and that be the end of it. I was quite anxious about surgery. I
can say that the day of I was laying there on the hospital bed talking with
the nurse and she was putting the iv in my arm and she was talking to me
about the surgery etc. Next thing I knew I woke up in the recovery room
and was like ok where did the hours go. Let me tell you it is hands down
one of the best decisions I have ever made to date. I will be 7 months
post op on August 29th and have lost an amazing (to me anyhow) 110 lb.! I
will say a pray for you and wish you all the best.
— Kitty Kat
August 12, 2003
I had a quick notification of my surgery date also. My surgery is Friday
August 15th. Woo-hoo! I'm not nervous at all. I've spent so much time
researching and preparing for this that it feels just right. They did tell
me if I was nervous, to ask for something when they first put the IV in. I
think I'll be ok, though, because they put me out completely in the OR
before they do anything. A friend of mine in my support group has panic
attacks and she asked for something to calm her down - no problem. They
want to take good care of you!
Good luck to you!
— JoSyrNY
August 12, 2003
I am right there with you... scared out of my mind. my surgery date is
the 18th. Please keep in mind all the wonderful things yet to come for
you. You have had the ability to enjoy happiness as a fat person, now
happiness will come in a smaller, more health package. Your boys will be
so proud of you and so will all the people who really care about you. good
luck to you...
— tia S.
August 12, 2003
I feel ya mine is on the 19th aswell I have been a total crab. I am all
stressed out I wish you the best. This site really helps mellow me out.see
you on the losing side
— Dawn C.
August 12, 2003
Denise,
Congratulations, your life is about to really begin. I am 4 weeks out and
loving life. Trust me, you will be fine. The pain is minimal and it goes
away quickly with med's. By the time I got home from the hospital, I
really only needed med's in the evening when I went to bed.
I had a C-section and it was more painful than this was. I was so
surprised how quickly I recovered every day. When your day comes, get up
and say to yourself, "This is the begining of the rest of my
life." and smile. When they wheel you on that bed into surgery,
inhale the moment and KNOW that you are so lucky to have this experience,
remember the weeks and months of trying to get this surgery approved, all
the nights you just dreamed that there was a procedure such as this to help
you with your weight. Now there is, and it is happening to YOU Denise.
Then inhale, close your eyes, and feel the joy in your heart. You will
wake up knowing you are on the other side. I want to hear from you after
surgery. You will be successful!
God Luck and God Speed!
— Michele B.
August 12, 2003
Denise,
Congratulations, your life is about to really begin. I am 4 weeks out and
loving life. Trust me, you will be fine. The pain is minimal and it goes
away quickly with med's. By the time I got home from the hospital, I
really only needed med's in the evening when I went to bed.
I had a C-section and it was more painful than this was. I was so
surprised how quickly I recovered every day. When your day comes, get up
and say to yourself, "This is the begining of the rest of my
life." and smile. When they wheel you on that bed into surgery,
inhale the moment and KNOW that you are so lucky to have this experience,
remember the weeks and months of trying to get this surgery approved, all
the nights you just dreamed that there was a procedure such as this to help
you with your weight. Now there is, and it is happening to YOU Denise.
Then inhale, close your eyes, and feel the joy in your heart. You will
wake up knowing you are on the other side. I want to hear from you after
surgery. You will be successful!
God Luck and God Speed!
— Michele B.
August 12, 2003
I got my first surgery date on Aug 7 and it was 4 weeks away, On the 8th of
aug I got news that I could have a cancellation on either the 12th or the
19th. I chose the 12th and then really got scared. But by yesterday I was
all psyched up and ready only to find out at the pre op on Monday afternoon
that through a clerical error the receptionist at my cardiologist thought i
had to come and see him befoe I could have the surgery! So my surgeon,
being cautious, as he should have been, cancelled my surgery and the
operating room for the 12th. By the time I got to the bottom of the
problem (only 20 min later), the operating room could not be reclaimed. Now
I have to wait till the 19th. I had kept this quiet from my extended
family while I made up my mind, and on Sunday sent out an email letting
them all know about the surgery. Now I had to explain the postponement and
deal with loving concerns and questions. But in the greater scheme of
things this is but a blurp. Its all in Gods hands and timing anyway. (Now
if I only felt that way all the time), still, I will be joining you on the
same day. Blessings, being scared is ok, its a normal emotion. Just hang
in there and soon we will be on the losing team.
— sissie S.
August 12, 2003
Try not to worry about it. You'll do fine. What helps is to keep a list
of all the things you want to do after losing weight e.g., being able to
sit a booth in a resturant, being able to walk without backpain, being able
to shop for clothes in a regular store, riding a rollercoaster, riding a
bicycle, eating at a resturant without people staring wondering how much is
that fat person going to eat etc... Also they will give you a tranquillizer
in the hospital. If not you can ask for some. The night before surgery, I
couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned with anxiety. The night in the
hospital I slept like a baby after I was told to take some pills ;)
<p> Take Care, Be Well, Be Happy!
— John T.
August 12, 2003
Tell the surgeon about it and get some meds to help you through. This is
not uncommon and the docs are used to it. Some people require something
pretty strong the day of surgery just to make it into the operating room.
Don't be proud. Ask for help!
— zoedogcbr
August 12, 2003
Hi! I also have panic/anxiety attacks. I take xanax 4 them. Perhaps you
could call your dr. and begin them now, so when your surgery date comes,
you'll feel calm. I am 7 weeks post op, lost 45 pounds, and have had no
panic attacks since Sept. 2002. I feel great. Did have a stricture taken
care of last week. I was sure I'd panic when they scoped me, but didn't.
Take care. Good luck. Kathy
— Kathy R.
August 13, 2003
Hi Denise ... my surgery was moved up also (from June 30 to June 18 ... I
am weeks post-op today). I had never had surgery before, so I think that
heightened my anxiety ... my psychologist suggested an audio tape by Health
Journeys "for people undergoing Surgery" narrated by Bellaruth
Naparstek ... it's a set of 2 tapes costing about $20. You can get them at
Transitions Bookstore (http://www.transitionsbookplace.com). The tape(s)
were OK ... but what kept playing in my mind was Bob Marley singing
"Every Little Thing ... Gonna Be All Right" over and over ... the
Monday before my surgery (on Wednesday) was probably the most anxious day I
had ... then the day before (Tuesday), and odd calmness set in and lasted
throughout surgery. So, hang in there ... and remember "every little
thing ... gonna be alright" ... if you're in the Chicago area, I'd be
happy to lend you my tapes, or even tape Bob Marley for you!!! good luck!
— Karyn B
Click Here to Return