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Pre-Surgery jitters

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Posted 8/5/2013 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
I find that as my surgery date draws closer, I'm experiencing anxiety and feeling nervous. I've never had major surgery at any time in my life. At night, I'm having a lot of "surgery" dreams where I wake up in the middle of the surgery or something goes wrong. I guess I'm worried about how the hospital will prevent vomiting. I hear all kinds of stories about people being sick in the recovery room due to the effects of anesthesia. I also wonder how long I will feel sleepy after the surgery. Will I sleep for a good full day before feeling alert? Will I need morphine for pain? My surgery is scheduled for the end of this month. I will have the surgery in the early morning and will be kept overnight.
Posted 8/5/2013 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
I am right there with you Ian....well sort of. I meet with my surgeon on 12 Aug for the final time before surgery. The hospital has not scheduled me for surgery yet.....I am hopefull for early Sep.

I am so nervous but I am trying to remain focused on what the surgery will do for my quality of life. I have never had any surgeries either, just procedures like the endoscopy and lower gi. Luckily for me I have had positive experiences with anesthesia. Morphine is a totally different story. It makes me feel awful and gives me a raging headache. I hope they give me something else for the pain.

I am looking forward to hearing about your recovery.
Posted 8/5/2013 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
I am meeting with surgeons today and tomorrow about trying to schedule my surgery as soon as possible. My only hope is that one of the two will schedule it for next week when I need it, but this won't be my first major surgery. I had a right temporal lobectomy last year for my epilepsy and I do have a few tips about anxiety.

Leading up to a surgery, you are as worried as you can be that something is going to go wrong since that is all you can naturally think. When I was leading up to my surgery last year, I was a nervous wreck because of the fact that I was going to have a piece of my brain removed and my doctor and surgeon couldn't give me any idea at how long my recovery would tale since it can vary so much. I can definitely say from experience that it gets a lot better after you actually have the surgery and can stop worrying about unrealistic fears. Between now and your surgery date might feel like a long time, but if you take your mind off of it until you have it, you will have smooth sailing from day one after the surgery.
Posted 8/5/2013 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ian,

I had my Nissen procedure back on April 30th. Because you're having an abdominal procedure involving your esophagus, your anesthesiologist will likely add anti-nausea medication to your IV drip at the end of your procedure. This is to protect your wrap as vomiting so soon afterwords will damage it.

As for the day of the surgery, you'll probably be asleep for a good hour after you're taken to recovery. From there you're taken to your room once you're awake enough to be able to talk so that the nursing staff can ensure you're well enough to be transferred out of the care of the recovery room. You'll likely be very tired the rest of the day. My procedure was at 7am and I was in my room by 1pm and I probably slept on and off most of the remainder of the day (and its probably a good idea that you do). I was given what's called Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA for short), which is basically means you control how much pain medicine you need. I had Dialudid as my narcotic and I could give myself a "shot" every 10 minutes. If I didn't need it, I didn't push the button. I found that for the first day and part of the second day I did really need the medicine and I pushed that button religiously. Mostly because I'm a big chicken when it comes to pain and didn't want to feel a thing. Once the second half of the second day rolled around I didn't need it as much and by the third day in the hospital I was off it completely only taking a liquid pain killer as I needed it.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!
-TonyG-
Posted 8/5/2013 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
Tony,

Thanks for chiming in with your experience. I have the jitters too and I have not even been scheduled for the procedure yet. I meet with my surgeon next Monday to get the ball rolling.

Do you mind if I ask if you had a full or partial wrap? On a previous visit with my surgeon, he refused to do a complete wrap because I could not stay off my PPIs long enough to go through some of the tests. At that point in time I did not want to do the surgery because I was not willing to make the lifestyle changes that go along with the procedure. Well let me tell you pain and misery are great motivators. I would have the surgery today if possible.
Posted 8/5/2013 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Oops...I forgot to ask Ian how he is doing today. Ian, how are you holding up to the stress? I hope you are doing well. I saw my primary care physician yesterday and almost asked for anti anxiety drugs as I am about to stress out waiting for a surgery date. I am not worried about the procedure per se but the pressure in my chest makes me feel like I am having a heart attack.
Posted 8/6/2013 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Tony-- Thanks for the synopsis of what to expect after surgery (based on your experience). My nerves are by no means completely overwhelming me. I'm just feeling a little anxious as the date draws closer. I'm only supposed to be in the hospital overnight. Actually, I was up at the hospital today, as the 17 year old of whom we now have custody had bunion surgery. I got to meet the some of the staff who will be working with me during the pre-surgery process. Even more comforting, I can see my house from some of the hospital rooms. Thanks to all for the feedback.
Posted 8/6/2013 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
Ian and txman4102

I'd be worried if you didn't have anxiety about surgery. I've had 6 major surgeries and 3 of those were nissens and I was nervous about every one.

If you haven't done well on a certain pain med before be sure to let them know this before your surgery. Like in pre op when you talk to the doctors and nurses. also let them know your worries about nausea after surgery. They can pre medicate you for this and have orders ready to control it after surgery.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 8/7/2013 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
txman,

I had a full wrap. My surgeon didn't give me a choice, really. He basically told me that this would be the only solution and that partial wraps (when I asked about it) are for "surgeons that are just trying to put a band-aid over a broken bone". He felt strongly about only performing full wraps as in his experience, partial wraps ended up needing to be redone after a certain period of time in comparison to having NEVER have had to redo a full wrap. From all my research that I did prior to having the surgery, I don't believe there is another option besides the full Nissen wrap, IMO.

Be well and take care!
-Tony-
Posted 8/7/2013 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
Tony-

The only issue with your surgeons thinking is that people with motility issues usually can't have a full wrap without a lot of post surgery issues that won't stop because of a weak swallowing function. This is what the modified wraps are designed for. Yes there is a possibility of an earlier redo, but eventually almost everyone will need a redo. The longest I have heard of a wrap lasting was 24 years.
With that I do agree that a 360 degree wrap is the best for fixing this, but it's not the best option for everyone.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 8/7/2013 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
I'm having a full wrap. My surgeon was very clear that I was not a candidate for a partial due to my hiatal hernia and the severity of my reflux. I don't know how long a full-wrap will last, but I do know that my surgeon has performed over 600 Nissens. He's supposed to be the best in this area of Illinois.
Posted 8/7/2013 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
Ian Victor

I am curious as to who your surgeon is. Would you mail it to me? I am about 3 hours southwest of you. I had my 1st redo at Loyola on 5/6/09. If it weren't for an esophagus tear I would still be on that redo.

If your surgeon is the same one I had or is as good as him you are in great hands.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 8/8/2013 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Bill-- I don't see any major issues with patient confidentiality here, as it is my choice to tell your my surgeon's name. His name is Dr. Steven Bradley. I'm having my surgery at OSF St. Anthony's Hospital.
Posted 8/8/2013 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Ian Victor-

Thanks. He's not the surgeon I had, but I do recall hearing his name mentioned. Mine was Dr. Fisichella. There a few very good nissen surgeons in your area. I am sure you will have very similar results as I had.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 8/8/2013 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
My fundo is next Thursday and as the time draws nearer I am less nervous, because I just want my life back. I am sick of being sick. I have done my research and know what to expect, and the rest is in Gods hands.Mine is a partial anterior wrap with a hiatus hernia repair. I will certainly let u all know how I went and what happens after. I have made some pureed food and blended soups ect for when I come home. Good luck to everyone who is waiting for their surgery.
Posted 8/8/2013 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
Mind and Body-- I like your thinking as you prepare for surgery. I also have done my research, and like you, I truly am sick of being sick (3 ER visits in less than a year). I'm definitely going into this surgery with a positive attitude. Yes, I have some pre-surgery anxiety, but as Bill has said-- that's expected. Please keep us posted.
Posted 8/8/2013 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Ian, means a lot and I will certainly keep u up to date. I would like to know how much time people took off work after the op........just curious!!
Posted 8/8/2013 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Tony,

I really wanted the full wrap but I could not stay off my PPIs long enough to do any of the swallow studies. As a result, my surgeon refuses to do a full wrap.
Posted 8/8/2013 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
Mindbodynsoul

I am amechanic and I had to take the full 6 to 8 weeks off. I had to lift things over 75lbs and my surgeons wouldn't let me back to work any sooner. It really depends on what you do at work. An office job, seems to be allowing people to go back between a week or 2. It all depends on how well your body responds after surgery.
Please try not to pick a specific day is you can avoid it and let your body tell you when it's ready.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 8/9/2013 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much Bill, and mine is an office job, but I wont go back until I feel 100% ready
Cheers
Posted 8/9/2013 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
I used Belleruth Naparstak's surgery tapes for two weeks before surgery. I downloaded it to my computer in about two minutes and it cost $12. I listened once or twice a day for ten days before my surgery. I was calm and very confident. Her images just stayed with me and still do. Highly recommended especially for those who like guided imagery.
Posted 8/9/2013 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Good Evening,

A few of you heading off to surgery, you will each do well.

Here is a link you might find helpful and Bill is an expert so I know his info is helping you too.

Pre and Post Op Nissen Fundoplication Information:

 

http://www.oregonsurgical.com/patient_prep_gerd.htm

Caution:  This link is for your information only and should never take the place of instructions given to you per your surgeon

Posted 8/9/2013 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Mindbodynsoul

You are welcome. Your body will let you know when it's ready. Some people with office type jobs try to do half days and such 1st to see if they are ready. If you are able to do that, it would be helpful.


oldnurse-

I haven't welcomed you yet to the forum. Welcome aboard!

Take care,
Bill
Posted 8/10/2013 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Absolutely Bill
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