Newbie here, scheduled for 9/28 and terrified 😪

I am New here, and have a robotic hysterectomy scheduled for 9/28. I just found out Friday. I cried all day at the dr and have been a wreck since. I've never had any type of surgery except a d&c but it was way back in 1999 and I remember nothing about it I was a kid!
He will be leaving my ovaries because I'm 35. I will be glad to be rid of my horrible bleeding but I am scared to death. I have severe anxiety and panic attacks and I have a horrible phobia of throwing up so I am terrified the anesthesia will make me nauseated or sick.
I have three kids but had all of them vaginally. I never take meds stronger than Tylenol not even after the kids I took nothing and had them natural!
Anyways overall I am just so scared and worried about this. I went ahead and took the soonest date he had because I knew the longer I waited the more I would worry and stress!

I was also scared to death and had never had any previous surgeries. It's pretty normal to be scared. I can say that I woke up wondering why I had been so stressed and was annoyed that I hadn't done it sooner. Be sure to discuss all of your concerns with your dr and anesthesiologist. They can give you something to avoid nausea, you might also want to eat healthy and light in the day or two before surgery. I was also worried about meds, as I never take narcotics for anything. Happily for me, they gave me no narcotics! I had toradol and Tylenol in the iv, and no pain to speak of. Once the iv came out, I didn't take anything at all. You will get through this!

Hi and welcome,

Just the thought of surgery can be so overwhelming for many of us. On a logical level, we know we need it, but we can still scare ourselves with the "what-ifs".

I suffer from anxiety disorders, so I needed to up mine a bit before my surgery. I also worked on my coping skills practicing cognitive behavior techniques I learned in therapy. If medication is not an option you prefer, you can try medication, yoga, music, walking - and surround yourself with positive people. Reduce your stress by making time for yourself to unwind.

As Coughy advised, definitely speak to your doctor about your anxiety and fear of nausea as soon as you can. Here is an article you may find helpful: How Can My Anethesiologist Help With Nausea?
Hugs and best of luck.

Thank you both! That helps and I will check out the article!
I M glad to hear about the narcotics as well!

I was absolutely inconsolable about having my surgery!! Even up to the minute I was leaving my house 3 weeks ago that morning I was begging my boyfriend to run away with me and forget about it.
I too get sick from anesthesia, or did in the past. Your anesthesiologist/nurses/peoples will take good care of you. I'm naturally a nauseated person but not once did I have an issue. I think my nurses put on a tiny patch that was good for 3 days.
I was made totally comfortable from the second I walked back into prep.
Best wishes sweet lady. It'll all go so fast you won't believe it.
This place has been an amazing source of comfort and knowledge for me. Lean on your sisters! !

I have Asperger's Syndrome, which predisposes me to anxiety and panic issues, and the weeks leading up to my surgery were no exception! One thing I've found to be really helpful has been strict avoidance of stimulants, which for me includes caffeine and artificial colourings. I also exercise regularly, and I found that the more vigorously I went, the more anxiety I was working out of my system. I also do yoga regularly, and have found that simply taking a few deep breaths has really helped me through many an anxious or panicky situatuon. The next time you feel a panic attack coming on, try this breathing technique, recommended by a well-known natural health doctor : inhale through your nose for a count of 4, hold for a count of 7, exhale through your mouth for a count of 8. This shuts down the fight or flight response, and activates your parasympathetic nervous system, instantly calming you down. As for your concern about throwing up, I have poor stomach motility, as well as issues taking most medications, so I was also concerned. I slipped some crystallized ginger plus a few crackers into my overnight bag, and they really helped to settle my stomach. I also found out the hard way that narcotic painkillers are a huge for me, so I would recommend discussing that with your surgeon. Best wishes for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery!

You guys are making me feel better already. I've not been able to sleep or think about anything else since I found out and set the appointment.
I too was hoping we could do it without narcotics. I am going to ask when I go for my pre-op.