Panic attacks over surgery

[Oct517 527]

Totally panicking over surgery that is in 5 days. Can't sleep (1:30am over here). Can't think about anything else. Afraid of death and pain. I really want to go through with this though. I just can't handle my own thoughts.

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[Auroragirl4489 88]

I completely understand. I luckily had Xanax to calm my nerves. But my therapist suggested just going over why your having the surgery. Don’t let negative thoughts control you. The pain is temporary and the other part I won’t even mention. You will be fine. Congratulations

[Matt Z 4,138]

4 hours ago, Oct517 said:

Totally panicking over surgery that is in 5 days. Can't sleep (1:30am over here). Can't think about anything else. Afraid of death and pain. I really want to go through with this though. I just can't handle my own thoughts.

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Totally normal feelings, first and foremost... don't let the fear spiral out, just remember it's normal and try not to worry about the worry itself.

Pretty much everyone is afraid of death and pain. But those are usually secondary feelings. Ask yourself WHY are you afraid to die? WHY are you afraid of pain?

Now, some things to remember. Mortality rates for WLS are so much lower than what the statistics appear to show now, this is because of how the older versions of the surgery had higher complication rates, with the update to a full laparoscopic surgery, rates have decreased dramatically.

Pain... is subjective. I had minimal pain, period. I've actually had pulled muscles that hurt more than this surgery.

Just focus on the reasons why you want the surgery, and the risks you face if you DON'T have the surgery. And, trust in your surgical team. They want you to live and be healthy.

[Oct517 527]

Thank you both! Sometimes I just need someone to talk some sense in to me. General anxiety disorder is the worst.

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[Frustr8 7,886]

General Anxiety is rough, let's demote him to Corporal or kick him out of our army if we can! And I get anxious myself, some things I'm sure others wouldn't find worrisome, but I do!
Maybe that person doesn't like me? Maybe that,funny person is trying to follow,me? Oh every person has their bugaboosm maybe ours look bigger but they may also be what makes Us ,Us.
And @Oct517, I just had my surgery 3 weeks ago on September 5th, and although,i did end up at,peace about things, there is always teeny reservations. See I am probably the oldest new-surgerized Bariatric Pal you are going to find. On December 26th I will be 73, might as well hang around, you know? Now,my hospital was and is a wonderful place. Ohio State in Columbus Ohio, I recommend them if someone doesn't have one already. The day of surgery was going smoothly, and I'm sure yours will too. We went up in a elevator, to the surgical floor,first gurney I ever ride that was smooth, didn't veer into walls. Knew once I got there my surgeon , Dr Needleman would be there, he promised and he is a man of his word, before everything progressed he brought by a good many of the staff going to be there, a benefit of being the surgery first of day. Even knew my anesthesiologist, Dave, by name and appearance. Did Dr Needleman have to do this? Probably not but it gave me peace, even if they were all suited up in Scrubs in there, I did know who there are. The last thing I thought as we go in through those doors" Hmmn I wonder if I am going to die?" Dave had slipped some Happy juice in my IV. before I left the prep room. Neat that,he asked first, though.
I get in there, Dr Needleman waved at me, yeah sounds silly but I liked it, okay? I was helped onto the table, first,one in all my surgeries I didn't feel like I was going to fall off on the other side and bounce on the floor. I had heard they yank your arms out to the sides and fasten your arms like you are preparing for crucifixion. None of that, room warm , not too bright, ORs usually are. And there was my friend Dave right there by my left shoulder. I recognized him, even suited he has the prettiest set of green eyes. Hey, I noticed 5hese things. He asked Are youcomfortable? I had time to say Yes I think I am and the very thing I remember I was waking up in my room. Missed any memories of Recovery Rooms and things, and I felt GOoD. As pleasant as waking up in my own bed on a warm summer morning. So you see all my worries, fears and qualms were nothing. I was treated with tenderness, kindness and I even felt a little loved. And I know yours will be equally good. My doctor has never lost a,patient, and I was not his first. Your surgeon will be equally good!😛👍😷

[Oct517 527]

General Anxiety is rough, let's demote him to Corporal or kick him out of our army if we can! And I get anxious myself, some things I'm sure others wouldn't find worrisome, but I do!
Maybe that person doesn't like me? Maybe that,funny person is trying to follow,me? Oh every person has their bugaboosm maybe ours look bigger but they may also be what makes Us ,Us.
And@Oct517, I just had my surgery 3 weeks ago on September 5th, and although,i did end up at,peace about things, there is always teeny reservations. See I am probably the oldest new-surgerized Bariatric Pal you are going to find. On December 26th I will be 73, might as well hang around, you know? Now,my hospital was and is a wonderful place. Ohio State in Columbus Ohio, I recommend them if someone doesn't have one already. The day of surgery was going smoothly, and I'm sure yours will too. We went up in a elevator, to the surgical floor,first gurney I ever ride that was smooth, didn't veer into walls. Knew once I got there my surgeon , Dr Needleman would be there, he promised and he is a man of his word, before everything progressed he brought by a good many of the staff going to be there, a benefit of being the surgery first of day. Even knew my anesthesiologist, Dave, by name and appearance. Did Dr Needleman have to do this? Probably not but it gave me peace, even if they were all suited up in Scrubs in there, I did know who there are. The last thing I thought as we go in through those doors" Hmmn I wonder if I am going to die?" Dave had slipped some Happy juice in my IV. before I left the prep room. Neat that,he asked first, though.
I get in there, Dr Needleman waved at me, yeah sounds silly but I liked it, okay? I was helped onto the table, first,one in all my surgeries I didn't feel like I was going to fall off on the other side and bounce on the floor. I had heard they yank your arms out to the sides and fasten your arms like you are preparing for crucifixion. None of that, room warm , not too bright, ORs usually are. And there was my friend Dave right there by my left shoulder. I recognized him, even suited he has the prettiest set of green eyes. Hey, I noticed 5hese things. He asked Are youcomfortable? I had time to say Yes I think I am and the very thing I remember I was waking up in my room. Missed any memories of Recovery Rooms and things, and I felt GOoD. As pleasant as waking up in my own bed on a warm summer morning. So you see all my worries, fears and qualms were nothing. I was treated with tenderness, kindness and I even felt a little loved. And I know yours will be equally good. My doctor has never lost a,patient, and I was not his first. Your surgeon will be equally good![emoji14][emoji106][emoji40]

I always love reading what you write on here! You seem like such a fun and loving person! Thank you for sharing your experience with me.

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[Matt Z 4,138]

19 minutes ago, Oct517 said:

I always love reading what you write on here! You seem like such a fun and loving person! Thank you for sharing your experience with me.

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Don't let her fool you... she's a total wack job LOL

[Oct517 527]

Don't let her fool you... she's a total wack job LOL

Lol aka "fun"

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[Frustr8 7,886]

Well 👅Matt Z , I know I'll never escape this life alive. Nobody dies if boredom around me and I may give someone a shred of hope and joy on a cloudy day! Makes me a little happy!happy!

[Oct517 527]

Well [emoji104]Matt Z , I know I'll never escape this life alive. Nobody dies if boredom around me and I may give someone a shred of hope and joy on a cloudy day! Makes me a little happy!happy!

That's the right attitude!
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[Frustr8 7,886]

So@Oct517, are everything in your life smooth and easy? I know you were a little panicking in the beginning, hope THINGS are fine now!