Surgery Thursday

[Guest guest]

Ok, the nerves have definitely set in. I keep going between a

slight panic to a calm feeling of knowing this is almost done (in a

sense)! The thought of surgery really doesn't leave my mind for too

long. I really was good about not letting it get to me; but as soon

as Monday hit, geez! It's not the surgery I'm so worried about

obviously I'll have no clue, but it's waking up that I'm scared of.

The unknown, it's a little too much.

I have to check into the hospital on Thursday at 5:45; surgery is

scheduled for 8:15, boy that seems like a long time to be sitting

there. Too long. What exactly takes place during those 2 1/2

hours? Do they offer something to calm you or do you have to ask?

(I've never had a surgery before.) & can you get it right away or

is it like given to you right before surgery time? My mom is going

to be there with me, and she is so supportive.

I hope that my surgery/recovery can go as smoothly as the others in

the June group.

carrie

[Guest guest]

I totally understand - I just had my first surgery a couple

of weeks ago on June 9. Like you I was worried about waking up. I

guess that's just natural - the fear of the unknown. Not much you

can do about it except get prepared at home.

It's strange: the day before the surgery, when I visited my

orthodontist, and they put my hooks in, I started to feel more

calm. It's almost like events have taken over and you are just

going along for the ride. You realize that people are going to take

care of everything and all you really have to do is show up.

Anyway I had a similar situation to yours: show up at 5:30 am for an

8:30 am surgery. You change into a hospital gown and they put you

on a bed. My wife was there with me. Then an admitting nurse

comes, weighs you, takes your vital signs, asks you a bunch of

questions (that you've already answered 10 times), they put the

wristband on you, and then you wait. No they don't offer you

anything to calm your nerves. I don't know if asking will help,

maybe it will. My wife was the one who really needed something.

Right at about the time for your surgery maybe a little earlier,

they wheel you down to the surgery area. The surgical nurse goes

over your chart and then the anesthesiologist is there. He starts

the IV. Then he says, " we're going to give you a little cocktail

for the trip down the hall " or something like that and he pushes

something into your IV. They wheel you into another area where your

surgeon is waiting, and you may say hello to a few people in there,

and then you wake up. Just like that (snapping fingers).

I was very lucky (I guess) I had no nausea, queasiness, etc. I

actually felt good when I woke up, except for a sore throat. Of

course my mouth was fixed shut but I remember them asking, " how do

you feel " and saying, " ok " .

After a few minutes they wheeled me to my room and my wife was there

and also my Dad and I felt pretty good. I spent the night and went

home the next morning.

Jay

> Ok, the nerves have definitely set in. I keep going between a

> slight panic to a calm feeling of knowing this is almost done (in

a

> sense)! The thought of surgery really doesn't leave my mind for

too

> long. I really was good about not letting it get to me; but as

soon

> as Monday hit, geez! It's not the surgery I'm so worried about

> obviously I'll have no clue, but it's waking up that I'm scared

of.

> The unknown, it's a little too much.

>

> I have to check into the hospital on Thursday at 5:45; surgery is

> scheduled for 8:15, boy that seems like a long time to be sitting

> there. Too long. What exactly takes place during those 2 1/2

> hours? Do they offer something to calm you or do you have to

ask?

> (I've never had a surgery before.) & can you get it right away or

> is it like given to you right before surgery time? My mom is

going

> to be there with me, and she is so supportive.

>

> I hope that my surgery/recovery can go as smoothly as the others

in

> the June group.

>

> carrie

[Guest guest]

, I know exactly how u feel. I had my surgery on June 8th and

i was a nervous wreck for about 5 days before! But the night before

really got me...i was so nervous that i forgot to eat my last " real "

meal. I remember sitting in the tv room with my mother(im 18) and

looking at law and order which comes on at 11 and goes off at 12.

The closing credits were rolling and my tummy was growling. Mommy

says oh well might as well go to bed u cant eat now. So there i was

a nervous AND hungry wreck. Needless to say i didnt sleep until

about 7:30 the morning of my surgery when they put me under. After 9

hours of surgery(upper and lower to fix class 3 underbite) and 2

hours in the recovery room i was awakened by a very cheerful young

lady who asked me how i felt. I felt fine just a little tired and

very thirsty. She gave me water in a syringe about 10 ten times

after that. It was weird because i was so nervous and anxious before

i now felt so calm and relaxed to know that it was all over and i

was on " the other side " . It was actually kind of overwhelming. There

was very little pain a lot of numbness and i think the worse part of

my experience was the fact that they made my mommy leave me at 10pm

because i had a semi-private room and visitors werent allowed

overnight. And now that i am 15 days post-op i actually feel great

about the surgery my swellin has gone downa great deal and i feel

great now. So i hope i was helpful and inspiring, good luck and my

prayers are with you as well as hopes for a problem-free surgery and

recovery. Dont worry things will be fine! Just take lots of deep

breaths and relax(i know its hard).

-Krystal

> Ok, the nerves have definitely set in. I keep going between a

> slight panic to a calm feeling of knowing this is almost done (in

a

> sense)! The thought of surgery really doesn't leave my mind for

too

> long. I really was good about not letting it get to me; but as

soon

> as Monday hit, geez! It's not the surgery I'm so worried about

> obviously I'll have no clue, but it's waking up that I'm scared

of.

> The unknown, it's a little too much.

>

> I have to check into the hospital on Thursday at 5:45; surgery is

> scheduled for 8:15, boy that seems like a long time to be sitting

> there. Too long. What exactly takes place during those 2 1/2

> hours? Do they offer something to calm you or do you have to

ask?

> (I've never had a surgery before.) & can you get it right away or

> is it like given to you right before surgery time? My mom is

going

> to be there with me, and she is so supportive.

>

> I hope that my surgery/recovery can go as smoothly as the others

in

> the June group.

>

> carrie

[Guest guest]

Ditto here. Same exact story, except I'm not married and my parents

are long dead, so my friend was waiting for me at ICU..

I was offered something to calm me, but I refused it. I didn't need it

that bad.

Ray

> I totally understand - I just had my first surgery a couple

> of weeks ago on June 9. Like you I was worried about waking up. I

> guess that's just natural - the fear of the unknown. Not much you

> can do about it except get prepared at home.

>

> It's strange: the day before the surgery, when I visited my

> orthodontist, and they put my hooks in, I started to feel more

> calm. It's almost like events have taken over and you are just

> going along for the ride. You realize that people are going to take

> care of everything and all you really have to do is show up.

>

> Anyway I had a similar situation to yours: show up at 5:30 am for an

> 8:30 am surgery. You change into a hospital gown and they put you

> on a bed. My wife was there with me. Then an admitting nurse

> comes, weighs you, takes your vital signs, asks you a bunch of

> questions (that you've already answered 10 times), they put the

> wristband on you, and then you wait. No they don't offer you

> anything to calm your nerves. I don't know if asking will help,

> maybe it will. My wife was the one who really needed something.

>

> Right at about the time for your surgery maybe a little earlier,

> they wheel you down to the surgery area. The surgical nurse goes

> over your chart and then the anesthesiologist is there. He starts

> the IV. Then he says, " we're going to give you a little cocktail

> for the trip down the hall " or something like that and he pushes

> something into your IV. They wheel you into another area where your

> surgeon is waiting, and you may say hello to a few people in there,

> and then you wake up. Just like that (snapping fingers).

>

> I was very lucky (I guess) I had no nausea, queasiness, etc. I

> actually felt good when I woke up, except for a sore throat. Of

> course my mouth was fixed shut but I remember them asking, " how do

> you feel " and saying, " ok " .

>

> After a few minutes they wheeled me to my room and my wife was there

> and also my Dad and I felt pretty good. I spent the night and went

> home the next morning.

>

> Jay

[Guest guest]

Jay, Thank you so much for your thorough reply. I am right there with

. I am going in Friday morn. Your description of what happens

was helpful to me. I have had two other surgeries (tonsils and rhino

for broken nose) so i know what it's like a little. You're lucky

with no nausea. I had it both times and that is my biggest fear.

Well, it's 5:43am right now and i just scoffed down something pretty

hefty for breakfast. sorry, i probably should not have said that! i

am STILL trying to put on a few pounds at this late stage.

> > Ok, the nerves have definitely set in. I keep going between a

> > slight panic to a calm feeling of knowing this is almost done (in

> a

> > sense)! The thought of surgery really doesn't leave my mind for

> too

> > long. I really was good about not letting it get to me; but as

> soon

> > as Monday hit, geez! It's not the surgery I'm so worried about

> > obviously I'll have no clue, but it's waking up that I'm scared

> of.

> > The unknown, it's a little too much.

> >

> > I have to check into the hospital on Thursday at 5:45; surgery is

> > scheduled for 8:15, boy that seems like a long time to be sitting

> > there. Too long. What exactly takes place during those 2 1/2

> > hours? Do they offer something to calm you or do you have to

> ask?

> > (I've never had a surgery before.) & can you get it right away

or

> > is it like given to you right before surgery time? My mom is

> going

> > to be there with me, and she is so supportive.

> >

> > I hope that my surgery/recovery can go as smoothly as the others

> in

> > the June group.

> >

> > carrie

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Best wishes to you Thursday, AM, You will be in my thoughts and prayers!

All will be fine!

As far a being at the hospital so early . . . they have their reasons. All

the pre-op stuff they have to do . . . number one is to get you in to that

lovely hospital gown! Believe me, time will go by quickly. I am 3 weeks post

op

today and feeling good. I was back at work 2 weeks post op. Of course, days

3 and 4 were about the worse for me. I have had no pain! When I woke in the

hospital, I didn't even have a morphine pump. The only pain medication I

received in the hospital was Toradol and I was sent home with liquid Lortab

(from

what I understand, the Lortab is stronger than the Toradol). I was discharged

the next day and was lying comfortably in a recliner by 12 noon. Just make

sure you take in lots of nourishment. I drank lots of apple juice and water,

along with Boost, chicken broth, beef consomme and liquefied mash potatoes. I

was also lucky because I was not wired or banded when I came out of surgery .

.. . which made " eating " much easier for me. I did use zippie bags. My OS put

bands on one week after surgery which I wore 24-7 until this past Monday.

Now I only where the bands at night. Enough of my rambling . . . just wanted to

wish you the best! Let us know how you are doing when you can. God speed

!

Dale

[Guest guest]

Krystal, that was such a positive message. I am sure

appreciates it a lot. i know i do and i am in for surgery this

Friday. I am SURE your attitude has a lot to do with how great you

feel. Good for you.

> > Ok, the nerves have definitely set in. I keep going between a

> > slight panic to a calm feeling of knowing this is almost done (in

> a

> > sense)! The thought of surgery really doesn't leave my mind for

> too

> > long. I really was good about not letting it get to me; but as

> soon

> > as Monday hit, geez! It's not the surgery I'm so worried about

> > obviously I'll have no clue, but it's waking up that I'm scared

> of.

> > The unknown, it's a little too much.

> >

> > I have to check into the hospital on Thursday at 5:45; surgery is

> > scheduled for 8:15, boy that seems like a long time to be sitting

> > there. Too long. What exactly takes place during those 2 1/2

> > hours? Do they offer something to calm you or do you have to

> ask?

> > (I've never had a surgery before.) & can you get it right away

or

> > is it like given to you right before surgery time? My mom is

> going

> > to be there with me, and she is so supportive.

> >

> > I hope that my surgery/recovery can go as smoothly as the others

> in

> > the June group.

> >

> > carrie

[Guest guest]

Yes the Lortab is liquid hydrocodone which is stronger than codeine.

> Hi ,

> Best wishes to you Thursday, AM, You will be in my thoughts and

prayers!

> All will be fine!

> As far a being at the hospital so early . . . they have their

reasons. All

> the pre-op stuff they have to do . . . number one is to get you in

to that

> lovely hospital gown! Believe me, time will go by quickly. I am

3 weeks post op

> today and feeling good. I was back at work 2 weeks post op. Of

course, days

> 3 and 4 were about the worse for me. I have had no pain! When I

woke in the

> hospital, I didn't even have a morphine pump. The only pain

medication I

> received in the hospital was Toradol and I was sent home with

liquid Lortab (from

> what I understand, the Lortab is stronger than the Toradol). I

was discharged

> the next day and was lying comfortably in a recliner by 12 noon.

Just make

> sure you take in lots of nourishment. I drank lots of apple juice

and water,

> along with Boost, chicken broth, beef consomme and liquefied mash

potatoes. I

> was also lucky because I was not wired or banded when I came out

of surgery .

> . . which made " eating " much easier for me. I did use zippie

bags. My OS put

> bands on one week after surgery which I wore 24-7 until this past

Monday.

> Now I only where the bands at night. Enough of my rambling . . .

just wanted to

> wish you the best! Let us know how you are doing when you can.

God speed

> !

> Dale

>

>

>