Pre-op JITTERS!

Hi, posting again on a slightly different topic. I know the end result will be great, and I know that everything will be fine, and that I want to do this...all that being said, the reality is that there is definetly some fear and anxiety about having surgery, and especially a surgery like this, and I'm just trying to figure out how I'm going to stop being nervous, or not be a complete wreck walking into the hospital! If anyone has some insight or coping mechanisms to deal with the pre-op anxiety I would SO APPRECIATE YOUR WISDOM! I saw a therapist yesterday who deals with this kind of fear, and the bottom line was NOT to think details and just to walk in and do it and surrender yourself to the doctors and the hospital. BUT, now I know so much from reading these boards that it's pretty impossible to not think of every little detail. Needless to say, the therapy did help me, but the anxiety still lingers...any thoughts are appreciated -Stephanie 24 days to go!

I can relate to how you are feeling. I went through such a hard time as my date got closer and closer. I kept my sanity by just thinking of all the good that was going to come out of this. How healty i would feel, the pain in my joints gone, being able to play with my children like i have never before, shopping for smaller clothes on clearance racks,.....All these positive thoughts got me through it, and i have to say it really has been like that for me now. You can't avoid being scared its surgery and its scary. Just trust in yourself that what you have decided to do is going to change your life forever. ITs an amazing journey, one that will have its ups and downs with the result being a happier healthier you. Hang in there.... LisaMarie

Hi Stephanie! I had jitters too, but the jitters were when I decided to go for having the surgery. I had the sleepless nights, grieving over my uncle who had passed away from diabetic complications the month before, wondering if I, who had never been in the hospital except for my babies, could handle having surgery. It's normal to have these feelings no matter when you have them. After you wake up and get it done, at some point, you will probably wonder what you've done to yourself. Totally normal, and you will look back at that and laugh. I had those moments, but do not regret this at all, not with a 78 pound weight loss. I had "butterflies" the morning of the surgery, but I had a lot of people praying for me, and I felt peaceful with that. I still have flashbacks to that morning and the last thing I remember which was looking up at the ceiling. I knew I was in good hands with my surgeon, and that put me at ease. Kristine

Hey Stephanie, As a therapist and someone who has had lap band surgery 6 weeks ago, I always say better to know every detail so you know what to expect. I was well informed about my surgery. I was so knowledgeable that I could have rolled up my sleeves and performed the surgery myself.....lol.... However, when I got to the door of the ER, my heart was a thumping, I wanted to run and hide. But before I knew it I was out cold, even before I went into the OR. I woke up 8 hours later feeling sore and tired. I remain grateful for the surgery now....and laugh about my being scared. Being apprehensive and scared is normal. You are excatly where you're suppose to be. Remember I am sending you an army of angels that will be with you now and during surgery. They will comfort and soothe you. They will guide your surgeons hands with all the right moves. They will stay with you until you need to send them off to the next woman feeling the same way you do...... Let me know how it goes.....hugs Susan

Hey Stephanie I was nervous as many others are as well, it's natural. I tried to focus beyond the surgery and looked forward to all the good that comes from WLS. When I interviewed with the anastesialogist pre op we discussed my nervous feelings and they ordered my somethingto calm me down when my day came. Funny thing is when I got to the hosp I was calm as could be, go figure. Pre-op I just focused on buying my first motorcycle it helped and now I ride every day I can ! Best of Luck! Kenny 285/229/180

Stephanie, Yes that all is normal to be feeling but you are right, it does not stop those feelings I know!! I was so worked up that I needed to have my PCP give me something to relax me the days before and the morning of surgery I took the last pill but with VERY little water (OKed from my DR) and all was fine, not to say I was still NOT SCARED, I sure was but I also felt some release of stress that morning because I knew this was all going to be behind me and I can work on getting better and moving forward. That morning was a good morning beieive it or not, the waiting weeks before was the worse! Just post often, it sure helps with some of those fears! Know that all will be ok, you will get through what ever happens. This is the biggest change! Take care Debra P

stephanie - let me tell you how the process goes at lenox hill. you show up early to a large waiting room with a lot of people waiting for different things - it looks more like an emergency room. there, you check in and wait. an insurance person calls you to review your insurance information, then you sit outside and wait. you get called in to change your clothes and get your vital signs tested. everyone will meet will ask you the same questions over and over again (name, address, etc). here, your family will take your street clothes from you and they are asked to leave until the surgery is over. you go inside the surgery area and meet the anesthesiologist, doc roslin, the hospital nurse, doc ros sugery asst - all at different times and they ask you the same questions (name, info, etc). then you go into the emergency room and meet all the other surgeons that will be helping roslin. they place you on the bed and prep you. the anethestiologist does his thing and the next time you wake up, you will be in the recovery area. your family will be there and then they take you to a room. they tell you to show up at 8, but the surgery doesnt start for a few hours after that. there is a lot of waiting and the staff at lenox hill is really amazing. i cried so much but i met doc's surgery asst who was wonderful and calmed me down. you will be fine.