Nerves!

Hi everyone,

I just saw my surgeon today and got the signed consent for surgery and was told that the surgery would be sometime within the next two months.  I will get a call in the next week or so with the actual date.  I'm obviously looking forward to having it done, but now that I know the time is approaching, I also find myself feeling the nerves setting in.  The surgeon has to talk to you about the risks etc..and of course that's their job and they have to give you the "worst case scenario" stuff...but I keep thinking about that stuff.  The statistics, although low, are still there.  I know it's normal to feel this way as it is major surgery and I know that in terms of longterm health, this is definitely the right choice...but I guess I just wanted to get it out there and see if other people felt this way etc...It's nice to read this website as it gives me a lot of hope, encouragement etc and seems to be a wonderfully supportive bunch of people, so I would love to hear other people's thoughts/experiences on this.
Thanks in advance!

I never really focussed on the risk stats. I only focussed on how my life would change - how much better it would be. To me the health risks of NOT having surgery were far scarier than having the surgery.

That said...I did put together all of my "final wishes" paperwork just in case - I wanted to make sure that IF something did happen, my family would know what to do.

All I can say is..try and focus on the positives...the reasons you're having the surgery.

Hi there

Like Simona, I never really focussed on the risk stats either. For me I thought it was more of a risk not to have the surgery

It is normal to be nervous. Just don't let it consume you

You will do great
Keep posting here, we will help

Take care

if you look at stats for risk I am sure there are MANY, MANY surgeries that are comparable, 3 years ago my referring physician told me that only (1) patient had not made it and it was due to her not taking proper care of her sutures and getting to the hospital or check-up, the incisions became infected and well she was septic and died..all could have been prevented.

..if you are confident in your surgeon and he has answered all of your quesitons, your foresight and concentration will HOPEFULLY switch to the success you are going to try and achieve.

all the best~!!

I see it as likely risks of not having surgery vs unlikely risks of having surgery. Of course, all the what ifs pollute your mind. Having just lost my Dad months before, I thought "do i really want to make my mom bury another loved one?"

I did a T-chart in my journal of the pros and cons to having surgery. The Pros were pages long, and I only had one under the Con; death. When I would get scared, and that was a lot, I would refer back to the chart. Not having surgery would have been giving myself over to fear, it wouldn't have been logical or smart. The Cons were unlikely, and the pros were very likely. The visual and logical reminder really helped me.

 That's a really great way of looking at it....and you're right, the list of pros is huge!  When I look at the good it will do and the longterm health benefits etc then I know it's the righ decision....hearing these things from you and everyone else on this forum helps to put things into perspective for sure.  The support here is amazing.  Thanks for this, and thanks to everyone who has replied.  I appreciate the help more than I can even explain!

I signed the form at my last appt., and it was pretty serious wording.  Then I remembered that it is a legal document and they must have you sign off on any eventuality - look at the pages you get just for a prescription.  There are risks to everything but I felt comfortable signing the forms when I thought of the amount of testing they have done to know my current health status, the expertise of the surgeon(s) and reputation of the hospital and the recommendation of my doctors.  The feedback from previous patients has been a tremendous encouragement as well.  Good luck.