I am getting a BA and Lollipop BL on April 6, and I am terrified. I have never been put under general anesthesia. This is an elective surgery, and I want it, but my anxiety is becoming unmanageable. Here are my stats: 23 yo f, 5'9, 125 Ilbs. I am a 1/2 pack smoker a day, sometimes less, sometimes more. I have asthma that is being controlled by inhalers. My asthma got worse in the last two days (I started getting daytime asthma which never happens). Anxiety attack maybe? What are the chances of me dying??
March 14, 2015
Answer: Afraid of death during surgery The question is: Is your fear justified and therefore surgery should be delayed until it's safer or is your fear an indication of unjustified anxiety? My impression is that your fear is likely a bit of both. You are certainly aware that smoking and asthma are totally incompatible with one another. I would defer your procedure until you have been tobacco free for a minimum of three weeks, preferably longer based on available data. Your asthma control will improve, your ability to heal will improve, and your risk profile will improve. Second, anxiety before surgery is normal and expected. If yours is disproportionate to known risk, use anxiolytic medication, prescribed by your surgeon. Last, be sure you've chosen a well trained, experienced, safe surgeon who operates in the safest possible facility. Risks can never be completely eliminated, but they can be managed. Membership in ASAPS is the Gold standard.
Helpful
March 14, 2015
Answer: Afraid of death during surgery The question is: Is your fear justified and therefore surgery should be delayed until it's safer or is your fear an indication of unjustified anxiety? My impression is that your fear is likely a bit of both. You are certainly aware that smoking and asthma are totally incompatible with one another. I would defer your procedure until you have been tobacco free for a minimum of three weeks, preferably longer based on available data. Your asthma control will improve, your ability to heal will improve, and your risk profile will improve. Second, anxiety before surgery is normal and expected. If yours is disproportionate to known risk, use anxiolytic medication, prescribed by your surgeon. Last, be sure you've chosen a well trained, experienced, safe surgeon who operates in the safest possible facility. Risks can never be completely eliminated, but they can be managed. Membership in ASAPS is the Gold standard.
Helpful
March 14, 2015
Answer: I am so afraid of death during my elective surgery. What should I do? Some anxiety prior to surgery is very normal; its complete elimination is usually not possible.I ask my patients to try to be as calm as possible prior to surgery; this “calmness" tends to translate to a smoother postoperative course. You may be able to alleviate some pre operative anxiety with music, exercise, meditation, a glass of wine (if ok with your surgeon), sexual activity (be careful...), and positive/objective focus on the long term outcome/benefits etc. prior to your procedure. Of course, it will be important that your asthma be well controlled (no pulmonary compromise) prior to proceeding. Stop smoking…Assuming you have chosen your plastic surgeon, anesthesia provider, and surgery facility carefully it will be most likely ( postoperatively) that you will feel that you “got worked up for nothing”. I tell my patients, objectively speaking, that they will be safer while in the surgery center than they will be on the freeway. I hope this helps. Good luck!
Helpful
March 14, 2015
Answer: I am so afraid of death during my elective surgery. What should I do? Some anxiety prior to surgery is very normal; its complete elimination is usually not possible.I ask my patients to try to be as calm as possible prior to surgery; this “calmness" tends to translate to a smoother postoperative course. You may be able to alleviate some pre operative anxiety with music, exercise, meditation, a glass of wine (if ok with your surgeon), sexual activity (be careful...), and positive/objective focus on the long term outcome/benefits etc. prior to your procedure. Of course, it will be important that your asthma be well controlled (no pulmonary compromise) prior to proceeding. Stop smoking…Assuming you have chosen your plastic surgeon, anesthesia provider, and surgery facility carefully it will be most likely ( postoperatively) that you will feel that you “got worked up for nothing”. I tell my patients, objectively speaking, that they will be safer while in the surgery center than they will be on the freeway. I hope this helps. Good luck!
Helpful
