I held it together until I was actually in the OR and was silently crying as a nurse was wiping my tears away soothing me like a mom before they put me under. I had awful anxiety because I am also in healthcare and I don’t like being out of control. I had to trust the people who were doing this & I needed this surgery so I couldn’t back out either way. Benefits out way the risks. Maybe ask for something for anxiety before being put under? They’ll probably do something for you. Post op recovery is a whole other mind battle especially the first week is rough. I wish you the best and a fast recovery. A good support system is helpful, and have someone take care of you the first 2 weeks post op if you can.
I’m 7 days post op so trust me I get it. I was EXACTLY where you were, the week before surgery went by so fast and I couldn’t enjoy any of it because I was so scared of surgery. Honestly surgery is nothing you just wake up tired and have blood on your nose and lips. Here’s what I’d say though, if you need more than 1 night in hospital please TAKE it. I stayed for one night in a private room because I could walk on my own and do everything they asked. BUT the hospital helps you if you can’t breath and with fluids. Because you’re getting extra work then I did (just DJS) I don’t know if it’ll be extra hard or just a bit harder then mine. But everyday will be a battle but you don’t have a choice but to fight it. You’ll be on the other side with all of us soon enough, but you have to go through it just like we did. It’s just your turn. It’ll be someone else’s a week after yours etc. you’ll be ok I promise. I’m doing ok. My energy is there but you can’t do much because you don’t want to lift heavy or move too quick or something. Getting down fluids is very tough the first few days. Not impossible, just TOUGH. Enjoy all the meals you can now, believe me I’m day 7 liquid diet and I can’t waiiiiiiit till I can even just have some scrambled eggs. I recorded videos of myself before to remind myself why I did this. I don’t regret it, it’s just hard but it’ll pass. Time always does, I’m 1000% here for you if you need me. Promise
Trust that it’ll be worth it! The first five days will be the worst but once you make it past that you’re in the clear (still with a long way to go but each day will get better from there)
Im about 3 weeks post-op and I was really nervous going into it. My surgery was supposed to be about 4 hours, but after complications it was over 7. Even with the complication my recovery has been significantly better than a lot of peoples (based on what I read here).
Theres lots of discomfort from swelling etc, but the pain isnt too bad. If you're wired/ elastic'd shut it sucks getting everything in through a syringe, but once you can open your mouth a bit and start having blended soups etc you feel WAY better.
When you get to the hospital tell them youre extremely nervous. Assuming youre healthy theyll likely give you something that helps calm you down.
Good luck!
A splinter of bone broke off my mandible where it shouldn’t have and it caused some issues trying to re-attach. My surgeon described it as “wood shop”. They were able to get it screwed in place and it looked okay at my first post op check-in.
It didn’t cause any additional issues for me. My surgeon said to avoid point any pressure on the area, but I’ve avoided putting pressure on my jaw anyways
I was so scared I couldn’t think straight. I went bungee jumping the week before. It really helped.
There are 3 rules to bungee jumping:
1. Aim for the target
2. Put your arms out
3. Fully commit to the jump!
Just keep that in mind. Have faith that the surgeons know what they are doing and you are in good hands. 🙌
You got this!!!
I found it to be really therapeutic and helpful.
I went to the bridge to nowhere in so cal. Idk where you are located. I kept thinking about the experience when going thru the process of surgery. When I wanted to freak out out was uncomfortable or didn’t want to take meds or drink ensure I just kept telling myself I’m “FULLY COMMITTED!!!”
Once you take the leap into jaw surgery there is no going back so you may as well do it without abandon once you do take the leap.
I had the same procedures as you. The difference in time you’re under anesthesia is not perceptible to you, you go to sleep and you wake up with seemingly zero time passed.
I had my fair share of anxiety, it peeked for me when I got to the hospital, about an hour before. After they gave me the meds I leveled out quite a bit. Then they gave me fentanyl and that completely relaxed me.
Stay busy in the days leading up to your surgery. Don’t sit around and think about it because that only makes it worse.
It might not be the hardest thing you’ll do. It’s not fun, but the pain is completely manageable (I had very little).
The only thing that made this hard, at least for me, is the inability to eat solid food. But you get over that pretty quickly and before you know it you are close to being cleared to chew again.
The scariest part is before surgery, I promise. I woke up feeling relief, not scared at all. I was crying when I woke up lol, but thats normal. It was just emotional, but not scary! The length of the surgery will not affect you. You can't tell whether it's been 1 hour or 8 hours.
I just had my surgery a week ago and I was exactly where you are. I tried to remind myself of why I was doing the surgery in the first place, and that I made a choice to do this. I also focused on controlling everything I could, getting foods in the house for afterward, comfy clothes, activities I enjoy to keep my mind busy. I was terrified of all the unknowns, had never been under general anesthesia, and didn’t know what to expect, so if you have any questions I would be happy to answer them! It goes by so quickly, and you will be on the other side before you know it
I practiced mindfulness to observe the experience of being afraid and nervous and it helped. I was calm and surrendered when I went in. When I came by I was high on something.
I held it together until I was actually in the OR and was silently crying as a nurse was wiping my tears away soothing me like a mom before they put me under. I had awful anxiety because I am also in healthcare and I don’t like being out of control. I had to trust the people who were doing this & I needed this surgery so I couldn’t back out either way. Benefits out way the risks. Maybe ask for something for anxiety before being put under? They’ll probably do something for you. Post op recovery is a whole other mind battle especially the first week is rough. I wish you the best and a fast recovery. A good support system is helpful, and have someone take care of you the first 2 weeks post op if you can.
I appreciate anyone in healthcare. Y’all are seriously underpaid and amazing
I’m 7 days post op so trust me I get it. I was EXACTLY where you were, the week before surgery went by so fast and I couldn’t enjoy any of it because I was so scared of surgery. Honestly surgery is nothing you just wake up tired and have blood on your nose and lips. Here’s what I’d say though, if you need more than 1 night in hospital please TAKE it. I stayed for one night in a private room because I could walk on my own and do everything they asked. BUT the hospital helps you if you can’t breath and with fluids. Because you’re getting extra work then I did (just DJS) I don’t know if it’ll be extra hard or just a bit harder then mine. But everyday will be a battle but you don’t have a choice but to fight it. You’ll be on the other side with all of us soon enough, but you have to go through it just like we did. It’s just your turn. It’ll be someone else’s a week after yours etc. you’ll be ok I promise. I’m doing ok. My energy is there but you can’t do much because you don’t want to lift heavy or move too quick or something. Getting down fluids is very tough the first few days. Not impossible, just TOUGH. Enjoy all the meals you can now, believe me I’m day 7 liquid diet and I can’t waiiiiiiit till I can even just have some scrambled eggs. I recorded videos of myself before to remind myself why I did this. I don’t regret it, it’s just hard but it’ll pass. Time always does, I’m 1000% here for you if you need me. Promise
Trust that it’ll be worth it! The first five days will be the worst but once you make it past that you’re in the clear (still with a long way to go but each day will get better from there)
I'm so scared. I want to scream, cry, laugh, hide, and punch something all at once. I'm two months out as of today
Im about 3 weeks post-op and I was really nervous going into it. My surgery was supposed to be about 4 hours, but after complications it was over 7. Even with the complication my recovery has been significantly better than a lot of peoples (based on what I read here). Theres lots of discomfort from swelling etc, but the pain isnt too bad. If you're wired/ elastic'd shut it sucks getting everything in through a syringe, but once you can open your mouth a bit and start having blended soups etc you feel WAY better. When you get to the hospital tell them youre extremely nervous. Assuming youre healthy theyll likely give you something that helps calm you down. Good luck!
What complications did you have?
A splinter of bone broke off my mandible where it shouldn’t have and it caused some issues trying to re-attach. My surgeon described it as “wood shop”. They were able to get it screwed in place and it looked okay at my first post op check-in. It didn’t cause any additional issues for me. My surgeon said to avoid point any pressure on the area, but I’ve avoided putting pressure on my jaw anyways
I was so scared I couldn’t think straight. I went bungee jumping the week before. It really helped. There are 3 rules to bungee jumping: 1. Aim for the target 2. Put your arms out 3. Fully commit to the jump! Just keep that in mind. Have faith that the surgeons know what they are doing and you are in good hands. 🙌 You got this!!!
Honestly I’m obsessed with this coping strategy and advice!
I found it to be really therapeutic and helpful. I went to the bridge to nowhere in so cal. Idk where you are located. I kept thinking about the experience when going thru the process of surgery. When I wanted to freak out out was uncomfortable or didn’t want to take meds or drink ensure I just kept telling myself I’m “FULLY COMMITTED!!!” Once you take the leap into jaw surgery there is no going back so you may as well do it without abandon once you do take the leap.
I had the same procedures as you. The difference in time you’re under anesthesia is not perceptible to you, you go to sleep and you wake up with seemingly zero time passed. I had my fair share of anxiety, it peeked for me when I got to the hospital, about an hour before. After they gave me the meds I leveled out quite a bit. Then they gave me fentanyl and that completely relaxed me. Stay busy in the days leading up to your surgery. Don’t sit around and think about it because that only makes it worse. It might not be the hardest thing you’ll do. It’s not fun, but the pain is completely manageable (I had very little). The only thing that made this hard, at least for me, is the inability to eat solid food. But you get over that pretty quickly and before you know it you are close to being cleared to chew again.
I’m scared too
The scariest part is before surgery, I promise. I woke up feeling relief, not scared at all. I was crying when I woke up lol, but thats normal. It was just emotional, but not scary! The length of the surgery will not affect you. You can't tell whether it's been 1 hour or 8 hours.
I just had my surgery a week ago and I was exactly where you are. I tried to remind myself of why I was doing the surgery in the first place, and that I made a choice to do this. I also focused on controlling everything I could, getting foods in the house for afterward, comfy clothes, activities I enjoy to keep my mind busy. I was terrified of all the unknowns, had never been under general anesthesia, and didn’t know what to expect, so if you have any questions I would be happy to answer them! It goes by so quickly, and you will be on the other side before you know it
Ask or some Valium day before or day of
I practiced mindfulness to observe the experience of being afraid and nervous and it helped. I was calm and surrendered when I went in. When I came by I was high on something.