Question:
I am having open RNY in 8 days! I need some encouragement.
I am having surgery on Oct 31. I am really freaking out. I constantly have butterflies in my stomach and cry at the drop of a hat! Is this normal? I am really scared. I have never had surgery before and I am afraid something with go wrong. I need some reassurance. Also, what did you do to calm down pre surgery? — kristaz (posted on October 23, 2000)
October 23, 2000
Hi Krista:
You've chosen a wonderful surgery to have and I know it will be quite
beneficial to you! Your "butterflies" are quite normal!
Something I did presurgery was begin walking a little bit every day and I
increased the time I walked each week prior to surgery. This had two
benefits - I lost a few pounds and I calmed down. I was in better shape
for the surgery then, in more than one way! I noted that you've never had
surgery before. I am quite experienced with surgery, having had around 15
surgeries in my life -- and I've never had problems with any of them,
really. You'll talk to the anesthesiologist prior to surgery (probably the
morning of surgery) and you should ask him any questions you have. He'll
tell you what he plans to do for you during surgery and with your pain
medications. His sole job during your surgery is to keep track of your
pain medication, your breathing, your heart rate, etc. He is a highly
educated doctor. Perhaps you'll have two anesthesiologists as I did, or
else one of those and a nurse anesthesist. They may give you some
medication to relax prior to taking your into the surgery room. In my
case, I got really nervous this time one week prior to surgery - even
though my mind told me not too. Isn't that funny? But, on the morning of
surgery, I was extra calm -- as if I were just watching what I was going
through as a spectator. Frankly, I believe that calmness was an answered
prayer. If you have more questions, feel free to email me. Best wishes.
— Cindy H.
October 23, 2000
Krista, your anxiety is normal. Just hang in there. This is no walk in
the park, and no one can deny it's serious surgery. But it's nothing that
you and your medical team cannot handle. Try to stay as busy as you can to
take your mind off of things. Clean the house well, organize a few
closets, start walking NOW. If you want my list of pre-op tips, let me
know and I would be happy to e-mail them to you. Make a list of the health
and social goals you would eventually like to meet - the dreaming is very
uplifting.(Keeping my lists helped me a lot to stay busy.) It's important
that you sleep well this week because you will need energy in the hospital,
and you don't want to be overly tired already when you check in. Try to do
some "quieting" exercises - breathe deeply and turn off the TV.
If you feel that the anxiety is realy getting the best of you, talk to your
surgeon. He can prescribe meds to help you calm down if he thinks it's
really necessary. Take comfort in the fact that many, many people have
gone SUCCESSFULLY before you. Soon you'll be on the other side, and that's
when the magic starts to happen. I am down 84 pounds - halfway to my goal.
I cannot begin to tell you the wonderful things that have happened in my
life since my birthday on May 10, 2000! Hang tough - you'll do great!!!
— Paula G.
October 23, 2000
Krista--I hear ya honey. I, too am having surgery on Halloween. I am
finding that I am not stressing about it as long as I am busy. I am
finishing all my loose ends up here at work, and then cleaning like a mad
women when I am at home. I want to sterilize my house and then organize my
closets before I go in for surgery. I also plan on sorting my clothes into
sizes so that I will have all that done. That's how I am keeping busy.
Good luck and I will be thinking of you!! 8 days to go!! YAY
— enjo4
October 23, 2000
Hi, Krista! Wow, do I ever know what you are going through! I had open
RNY on 08/17/00. I cried all the time prior to and just after surgery. I
have had 3 knee surgeries and a wrist surgery in the past, but this surgery
was much different for me emotionally. Since I live 2 hours from where I
was having the surgery done at, I spent the night before at a hotel with my
sister. As I was preparing to leave and saying good-bye to my family, I
began to sob. I never anticipated how emotional I would be. That was the
one thing that I was completely unprepared for. After the surgery and when
I returned home, I was still experiencing alot of emotions. But this time,
I was experiencing both highs and lows. The lows occurred mostly when
having difficulties with recuperation. Let me explain so that I don't
scare you. I had difficulty changing to each advanced stage of food. I
had mostly stomach cramping that lasted from a couple of days to five days.
That is when I became depressed and questioned if I made the right
decision. After a few weeks, the lows subsided. I think it was mostly
because I started to see and feel the result of the surgery, the weight
loss. I am now 9 1/2 weeks post-op and doing great. I no longer question
my decision on having the surgery. I know, with confidence, that I did the
right thing. I have lost 62 pounds and already feel like a different
person. I am more active and happier than I have been in a long time.
Hang in there, the emotional rollercoaster you are on will soon end, and
the ride will be worth it. Just focus on the future and what you want to
achieve, instead of the here and now. Please feel free to email me if you
need some support in the future. Good Luck!
— Adria M.
Click Here to Return