Question:
ANYONE KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT PRE-SURGERY NERVES?
I leave fo Ensenada, Mexico to have Open-RYN with Dr.Aguirre in 6 days!OMG, I can't sleep but maybe 3 hours a night tops! My stomach feels like it's in knots, and I feel like all the the time I'am going to be sick. Also I'am getting to the point I can't stand for anyone to be around me! My husband asked me does this have anything to do with going to Mexico, I told him No I feel VERY secure with my choice of surgeons and I would still feel this way if I just had to walk across the street to have the surgery! Any suggestions on what I can do to make myself easier to be around? I just feel so snappy, which is not me. Thanks — latrishanickle (posted on March 19, 2003)
March 19, 2003
Maybe you feel like this...you're not really in your body, but floating
around somewhere; you feel like a part of you is dieing and you will never
get it back. That's how I feel. My surgery is in 5 days. I don't think I
will be myself for a long, long, time. But I have no regrets about my
decision. I know I have to go through this, not over it or around it. It
will make me a stronger person because I have to face my fears. I always
hid my fears by binging on food and falling into a stupor. Now I have to
give up my addiction. I WANT to give it up, but at the same time I'm scared
to live without it. All these things are banging around in my head and I
can't talk to anybody who hasn't gone through it. Sometimes I think I'm
going crazy. But really, I guess, my life is just beginning. Just because
something is GOOD doesn't mean it isn't scarey. Don't worry, what you are
experiencing are the most normal feelings in the world.
— rita W.
March 19, 2003
Latrisha, My surgery is next friday and I am also going through the snappy
phase...my husband and I have been arguing quite a bit lately, I think It's
pre-op jitters. Hang in there, You will feel calm and confident when you
arrive at the hospital, so go ahead and get it out of your system now (o:
you know you've made the right decision. My mother had wls Feb. 19th and
she is almost 60 yrs. old...she is feeling wonderful!!!! You will too in a
few months...focus on the positive things, have faith and remember that
many many people are on your side and waiting to hear from you when you're
on the losing side!!!! Best of luck to you! Lynda B.
— lyndaleigh
March 19, 2003
I give this address to all pre-ops to help with the pre-op jitters. Make a
list of all the things that you can't do now because you are too fat and
all the things you want to do once you have lost weight. You'll be
surprised at how long the list will be. Take it with you to the hospital
and look at it right before surgery. Calmed me right down! I look at that
list now and realize that I can now do everything on that list (except wear
the bikini, which I may be able to do after plastics! LOL!)
— Cindy R.
March 19, 2003
Hi Latrisha! I haven't been snappy but my tummy is in a knot all the time
and I have a big lump in my throat most of the time. However, this whole
experience has been very positive and I need to just focus on that. My
surgery date is 03/24/03. Best Wishes!
— Steph P.
March 19, 2003
UGH! I was getting SO MEAN>>>>>Talked to my PCP....thnak God
for xanax!!! Jamie
— Jamie M.
March 19, 2003
The pre-surgery jitters can drive you batty. But there are things you can
do to help cope. First of all be active not passive in confronting you
anxiety. Second make a list of all the reasons why you want this surgery.
Third make a list of all the goals you want to acheive made possible by
WLS. Fourth make a list of all your morbidly obese conditions and how much
worse they will become without the surgery. Read those list as you feel
your anxiety. If it doesn't compeletly make the jitters disappear it will
at least take the edge off them! Also if you have a "slimer"
picture of yourself carry it around and tell yourself within a year you'll
look like that again. :)
<p>Take Care, Be Well, Be Happy!
— John T.
March 19, 2003
Hi Latrisha! This is what I did pre-surgery, after the footwork was
finished---PRAY- PRAY- & PRAY! For me, thanking God for the amazing
opportunity He allowed to happen in my life was of utmost importance. Now
if your not the praying type, quiet reflection & mental preparation are
a Good Orderly Direction to follow. I wish for you an uneventful &
successful surgery.
— Karen H.
March 19, 2003
Latrisha, I agree with Karen about prayer. I have had 3 c-sections in but I
was still scared to have this surgery in the beginning. It wasn't any
easier with this surgery. I knew it was something I had to do to increase
my quality of life, but I was scared and felt overwhelmed out of my mind
with the thought of all that could go wrong. But I turned it over to God,
asked Him for peace and a calm mind. He delivered. That's the only way I
made it. Come surgery day I was so calm, people kept asking me was I
nervous and I wasn't nervous a bit. I was so settled and calm and assured
that I was doing the right thing for the right reasons.
— aprilbaree
March 20, 2003
Hello Latisha, I think your anxiety is understandable. You are not
stressed about Why, How, Where, or even IF your surgery is the right
choice. You are facing your mortality, the fact that something MIGHT go
wrong (although the odds are in your favor that nothing will go wrong), and
that it is not in your control. My advice: Divert your mind away from
surgery as much as possible... Watch Movies, Read Books, Play Games, Go
Shopping... Keep your mind actively focused on other things. Do NOT try to
stop thinking about something (surgery), that is impossible. Instead,
replace the unwanted thoughts by focussing on different things. Night, I
know, is the hardest time. Try leaving the TV on (something not too
interesting), that you can turn your mind to when you find yourself
thinking of your surgery. Thanks for listening
— [Deactivated Member]
March 22, 2003
Stress and anxiety preop is NORMAL! If you weren't a little anxious I would
be worried that you didn't give it enough thought. My coping mechanism - I
started a really rigorous exercise program to get in the best shape
possible to recover faster. I also did the unhealthy last supper syndrome.
I went to all my favorite restaurants and said "goodbye" to my
favorite foods. Of course now I find that I can eat some of them only in
little quantities.
— **willow**
Click Here to Return