I feel so helpless

[nervous15]

I am 59 y.o. woman getting ready for my first "put to sleep" surgery.  The surgery is a UPPP, brcause of lack of Oxygen to my brain and heart.  I have a highly recommended surgeon who has taken much time to talk with me.  He explained everything.  I am NOT fearful of his abilities.  Secondly I have to be put to sleep.  Oh my Begeezes I feel like I am going to die.  What does it feel like, OMG the anticipation is killing me.  Here's the clincher.  I have high blood pressure (also a complication from this obstruction).  My blood pressure is controlled by medicine...EXCEPT when my anxiety and fear take hold.  I am due to have the surgery on May 21st and my pressure has been up and down.  I am so scared that I will stroke out!  I cant imagine NOT going through with this as I definately need the surgery.  How do I come to terms with the waiting and the waiting at the hospital, stuck in a bed, with IVS, no where to go!!!  Run!!!!  I am afraid my pressure will be extremely high...OMG what do I do Please someone help.

[bosnianworrier]

Nothing is gonna happen. After you wake up you will be tired and you will not care if you are in hospital or anywhere else. Chances of dying from that surgery are next to none.

[ativan]

everyone is a little anxouse of being put to sleep and I understand your fear compleatly, but I promise you there is nothing to be afraid of being put to sleep you will not know anything untill your waking up again and your op will be over dont worry or your bp will go high.
take care
janis from the u.k

[lonewolf07]

Hi

First, it sounds like you have an excellent and compassionate surgeon.  Did you tell him/her about your fears?

When you said "put to sleep" did you mean being anesthetized?  I hate that too.  When I've had dental work done, no matter what it involves, I only want to be frozen, not knocked out.  It's partly fear of having no control, part of it is fear of not waking up again.  Is this how you feel?

Your surgeon is aware of all your health problems and concerned. When you are anesthetized, there will be an anesthesiologist in the OR to monitor all your vital signs.  He/she will do that constantly.  If there are any complications, the anesthesiologist, along with your surgeon will deal with them.  There will be a whole team of people there to make sure everything goes well.  More than likely, you'll be given a pre-op sedative which will help calm your nerves and probably lower your BP.  Your BP will also be monitored before you even go into the OR.

I don't know what your BP is but you said it goes up when you are anxious.  This happens to a lot of people.  It happens to me - I am on BP meds.  My BP increases just at the thought of going to the dr.

What you are facing is scary because you have no control over it.  However, since you have an understanding surgeon and will have a team of competent, experienced drs and nurses you'll be in good hands.  I confess that I would be extremely anxious too.  Anybody would be.

Considering all this, I think you'll be fine and when it's over, you'll be even "finer".

Hugs to you ....

lonewolf

[nervous15]

Thank you all so much.  You are truly all sweethearts.  The operation takes about 1-1/2 hours.  My surgeon states that he has done the surgery on way overweight people with actual heart problems and in MUCH worst shape than me.  He stated they ALL came out very well.   I spoke with a woman that was operated on by the surgeon I am having and she stated that he is "wonderful".  Ya right, I'll be the one to end up with my nose on my chin so to speak.  I am being anesthisized, Lonewolf, and yes I do think it is all about control.  See my blood pressure goes up at the thought of going to the dr also, but for sometyhing like this it will probably go up really high.  I have expressed that to my surgeon, and he stated that I should ask for him  the day of the surgery, he will see me, then he will get the anesthesiologist to give me something to calm me.  Another fear I have is that I wont be able to have the surgery because of the blood pressure thing...that would absolutely SUCK.  The thought of that happening will also keep my pressure UP....what is a girl to do....

Please stay in contact with me and keep re assuring me...people like me really appreciate and count on folks like you all.

So being "knocked out" isint that scary huh?

[iamfaithful]

You poor thing-I understand your fear but don't worry.  I have had a few "procedures" where I was "put to sleep" and believe me, you may be nervous now, but once they give you the sedative you won't really care.  I know you think you will work yourself into hysterics, but they will take good care of you before, during and after the operation.

I need to have surgery but have been afraid so I am preaching to the choir when I tell you "don't worry."  I really  need to take my own advice.  I don't know if you believe, but put your faith and trust in God and he will take that fear away.  Just pray about it, it honestly does help.

Be blessed

[nervous15]

Thanks sweetie I really needed that.  I DO believe and I have been praying.  Someone wise once told me that by closing my eyes and visualizing myself in the palm of GODS hand is the true strength of faith.  I do believe that and I know logically that GOD is the overseer of all outcomes...good and bad.  Even knowing that I am protected in that way, this darn anxiety and fear problem just breaks through all that is logical, thats why it is so scary.  I am on B/P medications and my pressure is generally around 118/68 up or down a little.  When I go into the hospital it will probably soar to 180/100...I am so hoping not and I will try everything to control that...I am so upset.

Nervous15

[nursegirl6572]

It is absolutely completely normal to be anxious about general anesthesia...like others said...not only is it about the fact that you will have "no control" while you are under, but also, you hear horror stories, and the consent they make you sign scares the daylights out of you.  

My suggestion to you, is, since the surgeon is well aware of the fact that you have a high level of anxiety about the whole process....ask if he would prescribe you a dose of a sedative to take the morning of the operation.  Of course, once you get into the hospital, they will likely give you something as well (intravenously), but an oral dose before going to the hospital may just take the edge off enough to make you not quite as scared.  Also, you said you take BP meds?  They will almost always instruct you to take those in the am as well, so your BP shouldn't be too bad.

I promise you...once you are in there, and they've given you something to relax, you won't have a care in the world.  LOL.  Also, when they start "putting you under"....it goes VERY fast.  They'll ask you to count down from 100, most people never make it to 99.  :0)

You'll wake up in the recovery room, and while you'll surely have some pain...you will be super relieved, b/c it will be over.  

Lastly....PLEASE do not focus on the wording of the consent form too too much...they HAVE to conver their bases and lay out the risks.  Surgery related complications (ie...dying on the table, etc)  are VERY rare...and a surgeon would never operate on you if you weren't a good candidate, like he already told you.  Also, they could do these surgeries in their sleep....they do the same thing day in, day out...with usually the same surgical team.  You'll NEVER again have so many people tending to your every breath, blink, burp, gas....etc.  ;0)  They don't miss a beat.

I hope that reassures you some.  Just don't be too hard on yourself.  Going "under" isn't a natural state for us (obviously)...and I haven't met many people who do NOT get some level of anxiety before.

Keep posting too...it always helps to discuss how you are feeling...and knowing what exactly to expect on that day will ease some of your tension as well.  I have worked pre and post op, and would be glad to answer any questions you may have about the process.  Ask your doc (surgeon) if it is possible for him to prescribe a one time dose for the am of the operation.  I bet he will.

[nursegirl6572]

I forgot to mention!!!  59, and this is your first surgery requiring general anesthesia???

That in itself is terrific!!!

[dmbfan07cb]

I had it done when I was 13 and I remember being scared but once the drug hit me I was like YEAHHH. lol . Just remember its just like being asleep, you will have dreams and stuf, I remembed having dreams.  And once you wake up you will be like, that wasn't so bad.

[nervous15]

I love you guys this is so re assuring.  Thanks for all of your input.  I guess I will have to talk to the surgeon and see if there is something I could take.   I was told about those papers...yeah that will scare the BGEEZES out of anybody.....lol  I will keep you all posted as to what the heck is up with me, and please stick around after all I have exactly 2 weeks to go.  I will probably be bothering the heck out of eveyone, so much so that if you see me coming everyone will run away...lol  Again thanks for all of your input you are truly appreciated.

Nervous15

[lonewolf07]

If you do believe in prayer, I will pray for you.  I'm a Native Indian and wondered if you would mind if I mentioned you in a ceremony this weekend?  Won't use your name because I don't know it but the prayers in some of these ceremonies are quite powerful.  If it makes you uncomfortable, I'll just pray for you alone.

Your BP doesn't sound that high to me but I'm not in the medical field.  Nursegirl could probably give you more accurate information.

I don't think you are bothering anybody.  That's what this forum is for.

Hugs ....

wolf