Stressed out Newbie

[melody45]

Hi Everyone, I am so glad I found this forum, my only regret is that I didn't find it sooner. Let me tell ya a bit about myself, I am a 45 year old woman who is about to have a dnc, and ablation surgery tommarow morning at 10 a.m. I am so, so scared! I'm scared that I might die or that something could go wrong? My only comfort is knowing that I get to go home 1 to 2 hours after the surgery, & that I can return to work in a matter of days. My issue is that I have high anxiety, & this fear that something can go bad. The reason for having the NovaSure procedure is to lighten up my heavy periods, I have fibroids as well as a polyup. My overall health is o.k, I have borderline high blood pressure & smoke, but my weight is in the norm, & other then my high anxiety I am ok. My question is, has anyone else ever experienced high anxiety prior to surgery? And if so, what can I do to relieve it? Also has anyone ever had ablation surgery? Any feedback would be great. Thanks Melody.

[Miya]

Hi Melody,

Relax it will be ok. (easier said than done I know). While I have been fortunate to not have to have had any major surgery, when I do feel highly stressed and anxious about things I always resort to focusing on my breathing.

Try to sit comfortable and breath deeply in and out, focusing on the breath and feel it entering through your nose and filling your lungs, then on the out breath feel it leaving your lungs and exiting your mouth. This mindful breathing technique really works wonders. Whatever flies into your mind at the moment try to let it go in and out just like your breath.

You'll be fine, dear. My well-wishes and warm thoughts to you.

[LanaBear]

Relax and take deep breaths. I had a D&C in Feb and my mom had an ablation last Dec., almost sounds like exactly what you have in her case.

But anyways, both went fine. I was home about 4 hours after and my mom's was actually an in office procedure. Yep, he Dr did hers in his office with just some local.

I get anxiety because I am deathly afraid of needles and have horrible veins, so getting an IV stresses me out more than surgery. Listen to some relaxing music, read a good book, try not to think about it.

Good luck!

[melody45]

Well it's been 3 days since I posted & asked the questions & concerns that many women feel prior to female surgery, & I must say that the help & thoughtful words were so needed, so I gotta send out a big shout out of thanks to my two girls who came to my rescue! thanks for the feedback Also my surgery was 5 hours ago & must say it went better then expected, hey I lived, that in itself is awsome! Also I no longer fear being put out anymore, general anestisia is no longer something that I will ever again be so anxious or nervous about, while a little anxiety is in the norm, what I was going through was not, I was over the top with fear. And my NovaSure ablation was successful, my dnc went fine, & my obgyn also did something else but I cant remember the word? Im still a bit looped from all the good drugs that they give you, let me tell you, the medication they give to relax you prior to surgery is amazing! So if anyone else is ever in need of advise or simply a bit of knowledge within anxiety & surgery, or womens basic health issues, Im more then happy to share my fearful yet successful experience with others. I look forward to no longer bleeding through tampons, pads, towels, & my nice clothing! Also no more sleeping with a towel under me at night so I dont bleed all over my matress is also a plus, the list just goes on & on about how much nicer life will be after my ablation! I made the right choice. Im also happy I found this forum, I will continue being a familar person on this site. Thanks Everyone Melody

[WildChild]

Sorry I missed this earlier, had the same procedure less than a year ago. I'm so glad I did, th constant bleeding was a real problem. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

[LanaBear]

I'm so glad you came back and gave an update and that everything went well. A lot of the times the anxiety is worse than the procedure itself.

I had Lasik a few years ago and they gave me valium before hand because I was a wreck. But the surgery itself was cake. Awesome in fact. lol

Oh - and welcome to the forums!

[Miya]

Thanks for letting us know how it went Melody and I'm happy everything went smoothly for you. I hope you continue to heal and that this procedure solved the issue. It can be bothersome enough 1 week a month so I can only imagine what you and everyone who's had this has had to deal with. Welcome back.

Lana - I'm the same...I actually have to warn the docs when they're giving me shots or something that I very much can pass out. When I had knee surgery 2 years ago I started hyperventilating when they started prepping me for surgery and the doc said that it was an automatic, unconscious response that some people had to needles and medical procedures. It can be embarrassing though. haha I passed out when I was little as they were putting a cast on my ankle.