Hello everyone. I've been lurking on the forum for a while. I started my journey seven months ago, selecting my surgeon, going through the mandatory six-month nutrition and fitness program, and have received approval by insurance for my surgery. My surgery date is May 3 with Dr. Billing in Edmonds, WA.

I have been waking up at night with the jitters surrounding the surgery itself. I feel I am ready for everything that can happen post-op, but the surgery itself is scaring the daylights out of me. Or maybe I should say the surgery preparation. I am petrified of needles. Just getting my blood work done has been difficult for me. I scare the daylights out of the lab techs, making them use the smallest needle they have, giving me a place to lay down while they draw the blood, doing my deep breathing exercises, etc. I even told one tech that she had just one chance to get the needle in. I scared her enough she had to go get her supervisor. Please understand I was not rude about it and I kind of joke about it, but it's a real thing for me. So, of course I am thinking about the IV they will be inserting and the blood work and possibly other needles involved while I am in a waking state. I know I am a wimp about this, but I have been known hyperventilate I get so nervous about needles.

Anyone else out there have this issue and how are/did you deal with it?

OMG, I feel the same way. I started my journey about the same time and have surgery 4/18!!!! I am so nervous that I cannot stand it. I did get an Rx for xanax and it does help. I keep saying...surgery now vs a quadruple bypass in 20 years or worse...

Stacey I am scheduled for April 18 too

I am scheduled for the 18th 3!!!!!!

Yeah I was looking for sleeve sisters. I am in NYC, where r u guys?

I am scheduled April, 18th as well! Wow lots of us.

Newfoundlove - talk to you Dr about this. If you are that afraid of bloodwork being drawn, you def need to let your surgeon know.... Its major surgery. Not trying to scare you and YOU WILL BE FINE :-). But you don't need to suffer in anticipation of the surgery... Im sure they can give you something to help you relax :-) Praying always helps me when I get anxious! Good luck!!

Hello everyone. I've been lurking on the forum for a while. I started my journey seven months ago, selecting my surgeon, going through the mandatory six-month nutrition and fitness program, and have received approval by insurance for my surgery. My surgery date is May 3 with Dr. Billing in Edmonds, WA.

I have been waking up at night with the jitters surrounding the surgery itself. I feel I am ready for everything that can happen post-op, but the surgery itself is scaring the daylights out of me. Or maybe I should say the surgery preparation. I am petrified of needles. Just getting my blood work done has been difficult for me. I scare the daylights out of the lab techs, making them use the smallest needle they have, giving me a place to lay down while they draw the blood, doing my deep breathing exercises, etc. I even told one tech that she had just one chance to get the needle in. I scared her enough she had to go get her supervisor. Please understand I was not rude about it and I kind of joke about it, but it's a real thing for me. So, of course I am thinking about the IV they will be inserting and the blood work and possibly other needles involved while I am in a waking state. I know I am a wimp about this, but I have been known hyperventilate I get so nervous about needles.

Anyone else out there have this issue and how are/did you deal with it?

I think if you let them know right away that you're really freaked out, they will give you something to relax you. Or so I've heard...

Omg I am the same way with needles too...I'm can barely sleep now knowing that my surgery is just around the corner, April 11th....everytime I get my blood work done Im terrified...no joke