Scared to death; surgery in a week.

[rich19007]

I am going to have the surgery next week, January 23.  The doctor is going to do excision and lipo. The only thing is I have a severe anxiety problem and as the dat e draws closer, I am getting panic attacks.  The thing that really freaked me out was when they told me about the breathing tube during general, which is what I am going to be under.  I have read alot of positive post-op surgery stories.  I welcome more if anybody wants to tell me their stories about them going under general and it not being a big deal and such.  This site has been a tremendous support tool for me thus far.  i wish I was going under today to get it over with.  I keep imagining myself waking up with that tube down my throat and freaking out.  Did anybody else have these anxities?

[gabbyhey]

Hey, good luck with the surgery.  Make sure you go through with it and don't skip out because you're scared.  There's nothing to be scared about.  I was told about the breathing tube just before my surgery.  I didn't like the idea, but what the hell was I going to do, cancel?  Most people, including me, don't remember the tube going in or coming out.  I barely remember getting to my post op room.  When I woke up I was cold and shivering and I had a head ache.  They gave me heated blankets and a coke and I was fine.  It won't be as bad as you think, trust me.  Just hang in there and try not to worry about it because there is nothing to worry about.  good luck.

[rich19007]

Thanks.  I made the mistake of reading a post on this site that said there have been instances where you can wake up from surgery during general and feel the pain, but you're paralyzed and can not let them know.  After reading that, i had a bad panic attack.

[Grandpa Bambu]

Thanks.  I made the mistake of reading a post on this site that said there have been instances where you can wake up from surgery during general and feel the pain, but you're paralyzed and can not let them know.

Dude... anything is possible, but the probability of you waking up while under a general are slim to none.

I'm sure many people are very anxious prior to surgery ( I was one of them ) but don't fret, you'll be fine. As gabby said, don't back out cuz you're scared. You'll later regret it if you do.

We can only get stronger when we face our fears!

Relax and try not to think about it too much my man.

GB

[rocketrob]

Nothing to fear but fear itself..... It will be easy, just you wait and see.... dont stress yourself over your surgery... I have been under the knife at least 8 times in my life(maybe more?).... Relax and just think about the outcome that you will have after that!

[headheldhigh01]

just repeat to yourself the following, it should help: 

terrified is normal...
terrified is normal...
terrified is normal...