Nervous about surgery

Trauma Columnist · Dec 11, 2017

Oh gosh. While we can provide support medical advice is off limits per our terms of service. Best wishes for a quick recovery

TNnurse01 · Dec 11, 2017

I did not realize I was asking for medical advice. I was asking for support and for some people to help calm my fears for anethesia because I myself know they are ridicolous fears, but I still have them. I was also looking for support as far as recovery what to expect, ideas on how to make it better since the day of i will have help bit the day aftet and so on I will not ad everyone must return to work (my mom and husband) once again I am not asking for medical advice or at least I didn't think I was....

AceOfHearts<3 · Dec 11, 2017

Best wishes! I found myself unexpectedly in the OR recently, but since it was unexpected I didn't have time to be nervous.

The post-op n/v really shouldn't be too much of a worry- as you know you can be medicated for it. I experienced some nausea, but they were able to get it under control with meds. I also learned something new- that IV benadryl can be used to treat post-op nausea.

I think the biggest thing is letting them know when you are in pain and/or nauseated and not trying to tough it out.

Good luck!

Orion81RN · Dec 11, 2017

I was also looking for support as far as recovery what to expect....

That is medical advice, something your nurses and surgeon should be able to answer.

I can offer up my experience, but everyone is different. Plus my surgery was about 10 years ago. I let them know ahead of time that I have really bad nausea after general anesthesia. So they used something different than in my past surgeries. I dont remember what. For pain, I was given Darvocet at home, which is off the market now. For the most part, I personally didn't have pain, EXCEPT a few bouts of extreme paain where I could not stand up straight, as I felt it was stretching something. I remembering being at work (non-nursing desk job) and having to bend over almost 90 degrees, so I was sent home.

A week or two later I was car shopping, and suddenly got that pain again. But, it was only my experience, dependent on multiple factors, such as where endometriosis was located and where they did ablation.

Good luck.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Dec 11, 2017

I've been lucky on the avoiding surgery front, but I will say I don't think being nurses exempts up from the anxiety associated with procedures. In some cases, I think it might make it worse. Make sure your providers know you're anxious, so they can talk you through things instead of assuming you know.

Post op nausea usually is worse with longer procedures, so hopefully you'll be okay. Just keep telling yourself throughout the day "I'll be home, with this behind me, in a few hours, on the path to healing. I'll feel so much better with this taken care of."

JKL33 · Dec 11, 2017

Unless you cancel the surgery, this is going to happen. :) So....it is a situation that calls for a little faith that other people know how to take care of you and will do their best. What else can you do? It's very hard to believe the idea that worrying about something over which we have very little control never really helps anything, but it's so often true for the most part.

It's okay to let them know that you're feeling very nervous. I know people have varying opinions about whether or not to disclose that you're a nurse, but sometimes just leveling with people ends up really helping a situation like this. "I'm a PACU nurse, but I seem to be in patient mode this morning; I'm feeling very nervous because I've never had surgery before." I know if a patient told me that, it would give me information toward developing a good rapport and help me do what I could to provide reassurrance.

Best wishes ~

winniewoman9060ret · Dec 11, 2017

I just had surgery. Most anesthesia mds in our facility give zofran during the case. Don't use as much gas, mostly IV drugs which doesn't cause as much nausea. Toradal works wonderful with this pain as well as nsaids. But you might get something stronger too. Make sure you take with some crackers. Use your thigh muscles for getting up and down. And yes nurses are nervous about surgery especially when we are in our own facility. It's a mixed blessing. I was able to pick my nurses, Crna which helped. Good luck.

AceOfHearts<3 · Dec 11, 2017

I just had surgery. Most anesthesia mds in our facility give zofran during the case. Don't use as much gas, mostly IV drugs which doesn't cause as much nausea. Toradal works wonderful with this pain as well as nsaids. But you might get something stronger too. Make sure you take with some crackers. Use your thigh muscles for getting up and down. And yes nurses are nervous about surgery especially when we are in our own facility. It's a mixed blessing. I was able to pick my nurses, Crna which helped. Good luck.

I didn't get to pick mine as it was the result of an accident. I really could not have received better care though- I think I got extra special care since they all knew I was one of them.

I do think we can be extra nervous. The EMS and nurses had to assure me I had good capillary refill, etc. and while I didn't voice my concern I kept worrying about compartment syndrome. We know enough to think of the worst case scenarios.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 11, 2017

It's OK to be nervous--I was before mine. Just keep reminding yourself that these are professionals who do this every day and yours is just another surgery to them.

If you do have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask your surgeon/medical team. They've heard it all AND they know you're going to be nervous. They're not going to think your concerns are silly or mean you're a basket case--they want to alleviate your fears, not judge you.

Best of luck with the surgery tomorrow, OP.

Ambersmom, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2017

I've had many surgeries, never had a problem with N/V (except with the morphine pca), never really had any pain upon awakening, pacu nurses monitored me really well, so any pain I had I don't really remember.

You'll be fine! My worst surgical experience was when they brought me back and had me meet every member of the OR team, it was like "can you please just put me out". The preop anticipation and nerves are the worst. Good luck.