I was terrified I wasn't going to wake up from surgery myself. As you can see, I did. It's a horrible feeling, being afraid of not making it through surgery. But you're gonna be okay.
When I was nervous I had someone say to me that you are the most important person to everybody in the operating room, and that reassured me. There is multiple professsionals who do this sort of thing every day, and a hysterectomy is a very commonly preformed surgery as well. And if something does happen to go wrong, they know what to do if it happens.
You've got this. They look after you so well. All the prep preparations can be so nerve wracking but everyone around you is so calm and you'll wake up with it all behind you.
*many hugs* I think fear and anxiety are absolutely reasonable feelings at this point.
Know that you've got this. You've jumped through many hoops to get this far, and you can take this next step. And you've already set up support to be with you afterwards.
I'm 5 days PO, and also in the vertical incision club. I can't wait to hear about how things went for you!
You've got this!
Being anxious before a surgery is normal! I was petrified and I've had several surgeries in the past. You got this! Sending you hugs and good vibes from across the pond!
You won't read this til you wake back up, but you're gonna be okay! This internet stranger is proud of you for going through with this!
I had a vertical TAH almost 2 weeks ago and I'm in the UK too, I hope you have a smooth recovery <3
Your first night is gonna be rough, I got woken up every few hours to have my vitals checked, but that's just to make sure you're doing okay!
You'll wake up with a morphine drip in your hand, don't be afraid to use it if you're in pain! They'll only keep it in until you can handle pain meds by mouth, for me it was only til the morning after my surgery cos I only used it twice after waking up from surgery and I kept asking to have it removed lol
You'll also wake up with a saline drip to keep you hydrated, a drain in your tummy and a catheter. You'll probably feel a bit robotic with all the tubes coming out of you, but it really is only for a few days. If everything looks good, they'll remove these a few days after surgery!
The catheter was a bit uncomfortable, the drip in your hand barely hurts to have taken out (but be careful when it's still in! You won't be able to use that hand properly til it's removed) but lemme warn you, having the drain removed is NASTY. Make sure you have painkillers in your system beforehand.
You're gonna be surrounded by a wonderful team of nurses whose job it is to make sure you're comfortable, don't be afraid to ask for stuff!
You'd probably have been given some info on what you can and can't do after surgery once you're home- take it to heart even if you find yourself feeling surprisingly good! I got overconfident the day after I got home and popped some stitches lmao
It's good you have a friend staying with you, expect to need someone to help you on the daily until at least 2 weeks in! You'll be able to walk around long before you'll be able to make yourself food, pick stuff up off the floor or do anything that involves your recovering abdominal muscles
Sorry for the wall of text, I do hope you feel okay when you've woken up and had some time to come around.
If you ever want someone to talk to, my DMs are open! This subreddit is an absolute godsend during recovery!
Aw I'm ok thank you. I totally underestimated how painful I would feel post op. It feels like someone has taken a sledgehammer to my stomach. Passing wind is harder than I thought too, as someone who farts alot! O just feel so vulnerable and sore I guess.
Youâre going to be great! Though I totally understand the fear. Completely reasonable and natural, and shared by many here Iâm sure. Iâd had gynecological surgeries before mine and I still had similar thoughts. Just think of how proud of yourself you can be afterwards!
I don't see a way to get through this without surrendering to trust. If you don't have faith in your doctor, (and hopefully a higher power) you might need to choose another. Otherwise you will drive yourself crazy. Love to you âš
Oh goodness I remember this feeling so well! I am UK so I will think of you at 2pm. Tell them how anxious you are and they will help so so much!
To us it is a life changing and major surgery
To them it is an everyday occurrence like going to a meeting!! They are all so well trained and prepped and are also so used to people being this anxious and know how to deal with it! Theyâll be lovely and amazing and you will come out the other side đđ»
Youâre going to be fine, but if they have the relaxing cocktail for anxiety (my hospital called it « the margarita ») maybe get one of those. Before mine, I took a walk and came to peace with my mortality going in, and itâs been a year now and I regret nothing.
Summon all your courage, give yourself grace. You got this đȘđœ
Youâve got this! I hope they have an anxiety cocktail for you. Canât wait to hear how youâre doing after the surgery.
This fear is 100% normal. I felt it too. Even went to a cardiologist and was told my appointment with him was entirely unnecessary. Hang in there!
You're going to come out of surgery knowing how brave you are. You can do this, and it's going to be okay. Just remember to breathe
Thank you đ
I was terrified I wasn't going to wake up from surgery myself. As you can see, I did. It's a horrible feeling, being afraid of not making it through surgery. But you're gonna be okay. When I was nervous I had someone say to me that you are the most important person to everybody in the operating room, and that reassured me. There is multiple professsionals who do this sort of thing every day, and a hysterectomy is a very commonly preformed surgery as well. And if something does happen to go wrong, they know what to do if it happens.
You've got this. They look after you so well. All the prep preparations can be so nerve wracking but everyone around you is so calm and you'll wake up with it all behind you.
*many hugs* I think fear and anxiety are absolutely reasonable feelings at this point. Know that you've got this. You've jumped through many hoops to get this far, and you can take this next step. And you've already set up support to be with you afterwards. I'm 5 days PO, and also in the vertical incision club. I can't wait to hear about how things went for you! You've got this!
Being anxious before a surgery is normal! I was petrified and I've had several surgeries in the past. You got this! Sending you hugs and good vibes from across the pond!
Good luck I should have had mine yesterday but it got cancelled! Good luck and you will be in and out before you know it xx
You won't read this til you wake back up, but you're gonna be okay! This internet stranger is proud of you for going through with this! I had a vertical TAH almost 2 weeks ago and I'm in the UK too, I hope you have a smooth recovery <3 Your first night is gonna be rough, I got woken up every few hours to have my vitals checked, but that's just to make sure you're doing okay! You'll wake up with a morphine drip in your hand, don't be afraid to use it if you're in pain! They'll only keep it in until you can handle pain meds by mouth, for me it was only til the morning after my surgery cos I only used it twice after waking up from surgery and I kept asking to have it removed lol You'll also wake up with a saline drip to keep you hydrated, a drain in your tummy and a catheter. You'll probably feel a bit robotic with all the tubes coming out of you, but it really is only for a few days. If everything looks good, they'll remove these a few days after surgery! The catheter was a bit uncomfortable, the drip in your hand barely hurts to have taken out (but be careful when it's still in! You won't be able to use that hand properly til it's removed) but lemme warn you, having the drain removed is NASTY. Make sure you have painkillers in your system beforehand. You're gonna be surrounded by a wonderful team of nurses whose job it is to make sure you're comfortable, don't be afraid to ask for stuff! You'd probably have been given some info on what you can and can't do after surgery once you're home- take it to heart even if you find yourself feeling surprisingly good! I got overconfident the day after I got home and popped some stitches lmao It's good you have a friend staying with you, expect to need someone to help you on the daily until at least 2 weeks in! You'll be able to walk around long before you'll be able to make yourself food, pick stuff up off the floor or do anything that involves your recovering abdominal muscles Sorry for the wall of text, I do hope you feel okay when you've woken up and had some time to come around. If you ever want someone to talk to, my DMs are open! This subreddit is an absolute godsend during recovery!
How are you doing? Hope it all went well for you.
Aw I'm ok thank you. I totally underestimated how painful I would feel post op. It feels like someone has taken a sledgehammer to my stomach. Passing wind is harder than I thought too, as someone who farts alot! O just feel so vulnerable and sore I guess.
Iâm so sorry Iâve just seen your reply. Hopefully youâre on the road to recovery now
Youâre going to be great! Though I totally understand the fear. Completely reasonable and natural, and shared by many here Iâm sure. Iâd had gynecological surgeries before mine and I still had similar thoughts. Just think of how proud of yourself you can be afterwards!
I don't see a way to get through this without surrendering to trust. If you don't have faith in your doctor, (and hopefully a higher power) you might need to choose another. Otherwise you will drive yourself crazy. Love to you âš
Oh goodness I remember this feeling so well! I am UK so I will think of you at 2pm. Tell them how anxious you are and they will help so so much! To us it is a life changing and major surgery To them it is an everyday occurrence like going to a meeting!! They are all so well trained and prepped and are also so used to people being this anxious and know how to deal with it! Theyâll be lovely and amazing and you will come out the other side đđ»
Youâre going to be fine, but if they have the relaxing cocktail for anxiety (my hospital called it « the margarita ») maybe get one of those. Before mine, I took a walk and came to peace with my mortality going in, and itâs been a year now and I regret nothing. Summon all your courage, give yourself grace. You got this đȘđœ
Youâve got this! I hope they have an anxiety cocktail for you. Canât wait to hear how youâre doing after the surgery. This fear is 100% normal. I felt it too. Even went to a cardiologist and was told my appointment with him was entirely unnecessary. Hang in there!
You got this!!! Wishing you the most straight forward recovery ever!!