[scrobin]

I'm really scared abut having to have surgery. I had tubes taken out of my ears when I was nine, and it was so scary for me. I know I'm an adult now but it still feels scary.

What's the surgery like in itself? Does it hurt a lot afterwards? How do they induce anesthesia, with an IV injection, or with a mask over the face?

Can anyone tell me what their surgery was like?

[sweetb]

i Didn't Have My Surgery Yet . But Everything Will Be Fine. Just Have Faith And Pray! Good Luck

[kitty56]

My surgery went really well. They put me under with IV's in my arm. When I woke up I had very little pain because I had pain medication going threw my veins in the IV. For about 2 days and then I wanted it off becasue I wanted to start on the pills so that I could go home in three days. Once I was home I only took the pain pills for a few days and I was fine with the pain. I have high tolorence for pain. After surgery in just a few hours I was up and walking around and I did alot of walking in the hospitol becasue I was scared of getting a blood clot. I had a blod clot a few years earlier and that is why I started to walk as soon as I could in the hospitol. When I got home I took care not to overdo it and get plenty of walking right in the house. Only problem I had was with eating and getting my water down. But I tried and each day it got easier with the water. I was on soft foods for about 6 weeks. So I did lots of cottage cheese and protein drinks. The tuna and chicken made me sick. The first few months I hated the taste of food and was like a chore. But in time it always gets better and now I am enjoying eating foods again. Becasue of the surgery I am a much healthier person.
As far as being scared I guess I was a little but not that much becasue I know I needed the surgery or I was going to die just from being soooo overweight. What really made up my mind is that my daughter had it done and I saw the wonderful progress she made and then I started the process to get the surgery. I guess I was more scared for my children losing there mother if something went wrong but I had my faith in God to get me threw the surgery or whatever he had in mind for me. God got me threw everything and I am a much healthier person today and I would do it over again in a heartbeat. Put your faith in the Lord and he can get you threw everything.

[Chilly]

Being scared sh*tless is totally normal!!!! There are a number of people who back out and really regret it. I was almost to that point but I'm SOOOO glad I pushed myself to have it done. I have NO regrets at all!!!! When I was in the hospital waiting for my surgery, I told the nurse I was very nervous and asked for something to help relax me. They gave me something in my IV and I felt soo much better. They did use the mask right before surgery and told me to count backwards from 10-1. I think I made it to 8!!!! lol I didn't experience any real pain at all except from the gas that settled in my back area. I had my surgery at 10 am and left the hospital the following day at about 5pm when my sister got off of work. I pushed myself to walk that evening after surgery. Which really does help alot. I think I didn't feel any pain because my stomach stayed numb for about 2-3 weeks following surgery. They say that sometimes your fat cells hold it, and I guess that's what happened. Be strong! Try to keep occupied! You can get thru this!!! And it's soooooooooo worth it in the end....I PROMISE!!!

[greensgirl19]

I'm an OR nurse and I see surgeries all day, every day and I was still nervous! They'll start and IV and give you fluids initially. Then the anesthestist or anesthesiologist will most likely give you some versed to relax you and when it's time to go to sleep all the medication will go through your IV. They will give you a mask but it will only have oxygen in it. Once you are alseep they will put the tube in your throat to help you breathe until it's time to wake you up. Then the tube will be taken out at the end and you'll never know it was in (except you may have a slight sore throat). It'll go in after you're alseep and be out before you get up. Any further pain meds you need will go through your IV and you'll most likely have a PCA or patient controlled analgesia pump that you control with a push of the button.

[kimtindall]

I was so sick from being under that I was out the whole time I was in the hospital. I was sore, not really in alot of pain. I think the last bit of pain med I had was right before discharge, they put it in my IV since I had a 3 hour drive home.

[MsVickie]

Im going to offer you some really good advice on this. I have read both of your post and know you were advised that WLS would be a good idea for you.

Now what you need to do is reseach research and research. When you feel comforable enough to say yes I will have this done, consult a surgeon and call your insurance company to make sure they will cover it. They at that time will tell you the steps you must take to qualify and the surgeon will have his own steps also.

Good luck on your path to this life saving surgery.

[judijo]

I had been under general anesthesia a couple times before my WLS. Yes, I was scared poopless over the whole thing before hand...it is very normal.

The anesthesiologist explained completely what I would feel. They put an IV in my arm, which isn't totally pleasant, but they said "I am sorry" a lot so that made it better. It isn't terrible. Just uncomfortable.

In the operating room, I make a point to say hello to the surgeon and everyone in the room. By that time, the anesthesiologist gave me a "cocktail" to help me relax and smile a little more. When it was time to "go", she told me it was time...I asked, "Is it time to say good night?" She replied "yes" as she put a mask over my face. I said "good night. See ya later" as I smelled some medicine. (they tell me the mask is only oxygen...but I can taste/smell the anesthesia when it is being dispensed.)

Next thing I knew, I was being wheeled to my room. I remember nothing about post-op or the trip up the elevator.

These guys know what they are doing. They are VERY professional and they deal with frightened patients every single day. That is their job.

[qt82699]

being scared is totally normal, we all go thru that at some point...my surgery went really well..i wouldnt say i was in alot of pain just a little uncomfortable, in fact i had my surgery on a friday and on saturday morning i made them take my pain pump out, even though they didnt want to and i didnt take anything for pain after that. good luck!

[Cheryl24]

Having had surgery last week it is fresh in my mind. As for anesthesia it was an IV injection.

The whole surgical team introduced themselves to me before going into the OR and told me what their role was. I found that to be comforting. The gave me the anesthesia injection just before leaving for the OR and I was out before I got there. Never saw what the OR looked like, and woke up in my room a few hours later.

I did not have a pain pump but, had Morphine via IV. They always asked if I was in pain and gave me what was needed to make me comforatable. I was able to get up and walk the same day with no problem. I was a little sore when sitting up the first day or two. They gave me pain meds when I was discharged but didn't really need them.

This was my first surgery ever and it was a very positive experience.

Hope this helps.