Stupid Fear of Surgery

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Specializes in Trauma, Surgical, Oncology.

OK here goes, I can't believe that I am even admitting this, but I have to have a lap chole on Tuesday and I am a nervous wreck. I am not afraid of the surgery at all, but I am worried about what goes on in the OR. I mean what kind of conversations are going on and if people are talking about me, in terms other than surgery. Am I crazy? I would really love to sneak a tape recorder in there and find out what goes on.:uhoh21:

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Normal, to a point. We know too much!

Would it help if you had the surgery where you don't work?

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Look on the bright side. Lap choles usually take less than an hour. You'll be in and out of there like a car at Jiffy Lube.

Another bright side. Lap choles exist. It would suck if you needed an open chole.

Another bright side. Lap chole is one of the most common surgeries there is. That means your surgical staff is REALLY good at it.

Another bright side. There are MUCH worse surgeries to have. Even a tonsillectomy is worse than a lap chole.

As for talking about you, I've been an O.R. nurse for 11 years and I've seen surgical staff making fun of the patient only about 5 times.

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By the way, how long have you been using the name "trethern"? I've been using "mikethern" since 1996 ;)

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Specializes in Trauma, Surgical, Oncology.
Normal, to a point. We know too much!

Would it help if you had the surgery where you don't work?

I am having the surgery at a different hospital, I have irritated many surgeons and staff with that choice

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Specializes in Trauma, Surgical, Oncology.
By the way, how long have you been using the name "trethern"? I've been using "mikethern" since 1996 ;)

I actually only found this site last week, and all my usual aliases were already taken

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Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.
I am having the surgery at a different hospital, I have irritated many surgeons and staff with that choice

Too bad for them. They should understand the concept of confidentiality. Its also hard when everyone knows you are a nurse...

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I am having the surgery at a different hospital, I have irritated many surgeons and staff with that choice

Screw them. It's your surgery. Many O.R. nurses get their own surgery at a different hospital because they don't want their coworkers to see them naked. On the other hand, the advantage of having surgery at your own hospital is that you can hand pick your staff so you know you will have a great staff. As an O.R. nurse, I can assure you that many surgeons are lousy surgeons. For a lap chole however, I wouldn't worry. It's pretty hard for a surgeon to mess one up. If a human body were a car, then a lap chole would be an oil change.

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Good luck! I was a nervous wreck for my endoscopy earlier this year. I felt stupid about that because my child has had four of them and she was fine and I even saw her getting put under and knew what it involved. The only weird thing is that I don't remember what the doctor said he found at all because I was still drugged up, and I came home with my bra stuffed in my purse because apparently my husband couldn't figure out how to put it on me and I was too out of it to help him. lol!

I am sure it will go well. My mom is a nurse and when she needed surgery she asked that a friend of hers who is also an RN attend the surgery to make sure she was respected when she was put under.

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I hope your surgery goes smoothly and your recovery is as easy as possible. I don't see anything wrong with going to another hospital, whatever your reasons. It's your body, your surgery, your choice.

Good luck to you! ;)

Tiffany

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I think AmericanChai is on the right track - you need an advocate. Before being anesthesized, ask to see a nurse who will be in the room. Confide in that nurse. I cannot imagine any nurse who has been given that request would allow you to be humiliated in any way. Good luck on your procedure.

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i am very antsy when i am not in control of a situation, like surgery, flying in a plane

i have heard of realy gross things said about the paitent when i was rotating thru ob but it was basicaly the same nurse who made fun of the weight of the pt and size of the lady parts, there ae people like this have your procedure done and be healthy

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