Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Surgery Monday-Scared to death



Recommended Posts

I am going about this alone- having surgery in Mexico, and going there by myself. My friends do not know about this surgery, and only my father is aware of it, i am hiding it from my mother and sister as of right now. I am extremely stressed. Not only to be going alone to Mexico, but of the pain and possibility of getting sick afterwards. I'm ready to change my life- and know that this surgery is my answer- but i am literally in tears and a nervous wreck with everything going through my head at this point. I am so worried of having severe nausea and pain after surgery while i am there alone. Please, any words of encouragement, i could greatly use right now :blush:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You'll be fine!

For me, surgery itself was a BREEZE. I told them beforehand that I was a bit anxious and they must have put something in my IV because by the time they wheeled me into the OR, I was really relaxed. They had me spread out and put my arms to my sides and then -- I woke up!

The recovery is a bit more of a challenge. The first day you're pretty stoned, so it goes by quickly. Just do everything the doctor tells you and tell them anything that's worrying you, and you'll be fine.

After the surgery, be prepared for some pain, and some new sensations. Most of the pain is from the gas used during surgery, not the surgery itself! You'll be burping and farting your way to wellness before you know it :blush: When you first take your first sip of Water or whatever, just remember to take tiny, tiny sips until you know how much you can handle. You will inevitably take in too much, but I found that it was better to be safe than sorry.

As everyone says, sip, sip, sip, and walk as much as you can (and as much as the doctor will let you) -- it will speed your recovery! Finally, remember to take deep breaths when you can; it will calm you down and also reduce your post operative fever and risk of pneumonia.

All things considered, it's a breeze. You'll do great!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You can DO THIS!!!

I didn't go to Mexico but of course I had some anxiety about having surgery but I can honestly say I have no regrets and did not find the recovery very painful at all. I was a bit tired for about 2 weeks but my energy improved daily.

I have NO regrets at all about my surgery. I truly believe it was a wise decision for me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm going to Mexico alone and decided not to tell anyone either. I've told one of my friends that is in the "trying to lose weight boat" but that's it. It's definitely a scary thought of being in another country and going through major surgery but I feel it will be the best thing I have ever done for myself. Everyone post op says it was worth it and the only thing they would change is doing it sooner. Best of luck to you and we are here to support you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It'll be ok, just think of the positives that this surgery will bring to your life. . it'll take away some things too though, no longer will you be a prisioner of food and gluttony, you'll sip fluids like a lady and you'll not have to wear those really big clothes anymore. . .actually it's fun when you look in your closet at the smaller clothes and think "OMG this will never fit me" and then in a few weeks you get brave, try it on and it's too big! that is so neat. . .you know honey what i do to handle the surgery nausea? I request that they give me 50 mg of benedryl IV just before I am wheeled into surgery. . . the benedryl keeps you sleeping (yes they still wake you up and bother you) and you pass the nausea stage. . .I do this for ALL my surgeries (I've had 18 major surgeries including this one) the benedryl is a life saver! You may want to suggest this to the surgeon/anesthestia . . but the jitters are normal. . .you'll be ok though. . .good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know it's normal to be scared but I feel bad that you are doing this alone. Just remember that you will be in good hands and that you will be back home in no time. I wish you the very best.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You can do this!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi - I went to Belgium from the UK last week for my surgery and so far it's been really straightforward. I can honestly say I didn't have any real pain after the surgery - a little discomfort for the first few days around the incisions but nothing major at all.

I was very sleepy for the first couple of days - and always think sleep is a great healer. But when awake I walked a bit and sipped a bit. I did not experience any nausea at all.

Of course everyone's different but if you go into the procedure with a positive mind state then I think that helps.

Good luck - you can do this!!

Lyn xx

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery April 13th and, honestly, it went better than I could have ever expected. I walked out of the hospital with a big smile on my lips and a bottle of Water in my hands. I set up having a wheelchair at the airport, and they carried all my luggage. You can't lift more than 10 lbs after surgery, so just ask for help with that, or pack extremely little. Good luck and please use this site as a support group since you haven't chosen to share your decision with many people.

I had my surgery with Dr. Aceves. Who are you going to?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Um, there are several people who have. There are threads about him and if you search the upper right hand corner it should give you some links to him.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I went to Mexico by myself. I was supposed to have a friend with me but he had a death in his family right before. Honestly... I'm so glad he didn't come. I was in great hands the whole time and I didn't have to "entertain" any company. I didn't tell my mother or sisters either and I think that added to the nervousness. I had the feeling I was sneaking behind my mothers back. Even though I'm 44 it brought up all those scary little kids feelings like when you know your in trouble.

Now that its over I'm glad they don't know.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow that's a coincidence that you went alone to Mexico and didn't tell your mom or sisters, I plan on telling them of course, after the surgery, but hiding it from them right now and coming up with an excuse to leave for a week, and planning on having an excuse to not eat much when i see them is really stressing me. Theres just so much stress on me right now it's about to kill me. I am so ready to have it over. I'm more worried about getting through the next two days than getting through the surgery. Once it's done, it's done, and behind me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you so much! Did you have trouble with post-op nausea? Also, did they let you sip on Water or have ice chips after surgery?

I was sleeved on May 12th. Ice chips in post-op are like nectar from the Gods! I never knew how good ice could taste! PS: You may want to take some Blistex or Chapstick with you....my lips got really dried out and cracked. Good Luck! You will do fine!:lol0:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Eve411

      April Surgery
      Am I the only struggling to get weight down. I started with weight of 297 and now im 280 but seem to not lose more weight. My nutrtionist told me not to worry about the pounds because I might still be losing inches. However, I do not really see much of a difference is this happen to any of you, if so any tips?
      Thanks
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×