Breast Reduction: Forum
Post to Forum
Surgery Fears
By redreader on 25 May 2012
At the risk of sounding silly, I must ask; are any of you afraid to have surgery? I am more afraid of the actual anethesia than the recovery & results of my BR. Anyone else feel the same? I feel like I am being a wimp about this. Surgery is safe, right?!
Comments (20)
Sort by
You will do wonderfully. I know it is a difficult task but really try to focus only on the posative. I made myself sick with worry. The anxiety before surgery was the worst part for me. I know It is really hard to get over the fear of the anasthesia but you really are extreamly safe. Breast reductions and anasthesia are safer now then they have ever been. all you have to do really is walk in for surgery and tell them that you are a nervous wreck and they will give you something to calm you down , next thing you know it is over. The only thing they did to me while I was awake was put my in a gown, give me an IV, Dr. Geter did a few markings( but most while asleep) and told me I could lay on the bed in my room and then they put something in my IV and I was gone. It was very calm and relaxing.
I'm more worried about what to wear for the first weeks after surgery. We aren't known for vast closets of front opening shirts!!! Cutting the old 2x t-shirts down the front and fastening them with duct tape would send my daughter into orbit, but I don't want to buy any new clothes until I'm my final new size. What are you doing about that???
FWIW, anesthesiologists have the rap among other doctors as being hyper focused on one thing at a time....that would be you, their patient. Other docs sometimes get annoyed because they are known for not lifting a finger to do one other thing in an OR other than monitor the anesthesia going to their patient and the patient's vitals. It's a fine balance between too much and not enough, and I like knowing their discipline is so hyper-vigilant it makes them the butt of jokes in the doctors' lounge! I've never had a bad experience with anesthesia, and with day surgery, we get to avoid the bad food! I think that stuff could kill us. When you get home, drink lots of water, and as soon as we can get up and walk comfortably, oxygen to blood and muscles helps your system get rid of the residual. Good luck!
I also figure the following: a death during a cosmetic procedure pretty much destroys a PS's business. He/she has a lot at risk if the anesesthiologist does a poor job. As long as you've done all the clearances ( EKG, physical, etc.), you will be fine.
Yes i too am afraid of the GA (General Anaesthesia) aspect of the BR.
Common sense and experience tells me it is incredibly safe. Patients are assessed pre-op for a variety of problems such as diabetes, heart problems such a murmurs or previous surgery etc, lung problems such as asthma and any other relevant information such as if you smoke cigarettes or take any substances (illegal and legal); allergies to anything - including medication, previous GA's (and how you reacted to them); other operations, pain levels etc.
Your weight and height is relevant also because issues with breathing, drug calculations and fluid balance during and post op.
Your pre-op assessments for normal values also play a part, eg normal ECG (EKG), haemoglobin (blood count) biochemical levels (U&E's) and any oher blood work eg glucose levels if diabetic etc.
GA's are very safe but the most feared aspect of any surgery. No Dr would operate or give a GA to any patient they felt was high risk.
For most of us who are scared, (including me!!) it's a trust issue, as we are rightly, normally included in any decisions we make and if we feel pain or discomfort we say how we feel and its acknowledged and treated. When asleep however, we are totally in the hands of the anaesthetist to ensure our welfare, control pain levels and to make sure we are safe.
The way i am dealing with this is to:
1) focus on post op - (having nice smaller boobs lol) and my quality of life after the BR
2) When i am scared to think to myself 'yes i am scared but for a few hours of fear i will have a pain-free life and the benefits outweigh the fear of GA'
3)Ask my anaesthetist for a sedating pre-med to take the 'edge off' the fear.
redreader, you are NOT being a wimp!! I think all of us have a fear of some type whether it's drain removal, GA's, scarring- it affects us all in different ways. We have all lived with the curse of big boobs for so long and to contemplate a life free of pain, people/men staring at them and a lack of wearing nice clothing etc etc; is difficult at times. We all know to be in that wonderful 'post op' place involves surgery and a GA. It's a big hurdle to jump but jump we must!!
Try and be positive and if it helps, read the wonderful post op stories on here and trust the brave women who have said they would do it all over again 'in a heartbeat'. That's how great they all feel free of big boobs. For me, i love this site as it gives me the strength to cope with my fears as the encouragement from other women means so much to me.
We can do this!!! Sorry its been a bit long.... i just wanted to give a big cyber 'hug' (((H)))
to all who are like me, waiting for this much wanted procedure. x x x x
Thank you for putting everything in perspective. It's much appreciated!
x x