Hi , this site and podcasts is so helpful, but with all the helpful tools I am finding myself wondering about my anxiety and my upcoming major surgery. How do I keep up my progress with surgery which I tend to freak out with health concerns and I have been doing good and i want to be able to get through surgery. I'm getting a laparoscopy procedure but I know myself my recover and anxiety is tough.

Deb:

I recently had to have a similar procedure, and for a while I was dreading it and became quite depressed. As the day drew nearer, I had a transformation of sorts. Here are a couple of suggestions...

1. I downloaded a series of three "Preparing For Surgery" audios by Martin L. Rossman. One is for the days/weeks prior. Another is for the day of the procedure, and the last is for the days following as you recover. I found them very helpful in allowing me to relax and actually welcome the procedure. The audios cost like $8-9 which I thought were well worth it. Here's the link, and yes that's my review at the top: http://www.soundstrue.com/store/preparing-for-surgery-3808.html#. Much of the content of all three audios is the same, but that didn't bother me one bit. Basically he takes you through a couple of relaxation exercises, then adds some verbiage relating to the specific phase you're in (pre-surgery, day of, or post-surgery).

2. If you have Ativan or Xanax for anxiety, don't be afraid to take it a few hours before your procedure. In my pre-surgery instructions, it said it was perfectly fine to do so. Of course, check with your doctor first. And also let the staff know what you took and how much. If you don't have a prescription for one of those meds, consider asking your GP.

3. Let your surgeon know that you are very anxious about the procedure. He/she may have some insights that will help you. You might also ask them to let your anesthetist know in advance about your anxiety so he/she can perhaps administer some medication early on that will help you relax.

I hope that helps, and that your procedure is successful. God bless you!

Update: I did take a Xanax night before but overall I didn't have much anxiety going in. I had done a lot of research and did a lot of preparation for this with all the audios and podcasts here and I was surprised at myself even after surgery now on day 18 post op I have felt good . However one issue I am facing is the going back out there now like shopping and driving . I have gone out for little jaunts to the store I get pretty lightheaded and dizzy and weak which most of it is the healing but I have caught myself panicking over those physical feelings now and my avoidance kicks in . I have not driven myself anywhere yet. I hope I'm not having to start all over again with the progress I was making .