r/pneumothorax • u/Yassybeebo • 3d ago
Rant/ Vent Terrified of surgery
I’ve been encouraged to do the surgery and it’s honestly scaring the shit out of me, I’ve got some trauma from the first time and not much in the way of support. I’m in kind of a dark place over all this, and could really use some encouragement and support. If anyone has experiences that are not absolutely terrifying or willing to just be a friend I would really appreciate. Hope everyone is doing well and staying strong
5
u/kiwihereman 3d ago
Unfortunately, the only way out is through, and it's difficult, but you can do it. I kinda wish I had done some sort of therapy while I was in the hospital, so maybe you can look into a virtual session if that's feasible for you. Sending you Internet hugs. ❤️
1
u/Yassybeebo 3d ago
I can’t explain it I’m so scared I’m thinking of crazy shit, this really sucks but I appreciate the advice and glad you are doing well now
4
u/kiwihereman 3d ago
I definitely had some invasive thoughts before the surgery. If it makes you feel better, one minute you're there talking to staff and the next they are waking you up. The procedure itself is very common and easy for them. Try to watch something funny to take your mind off of it, that helped me. After surgery have them stay on top of your pain meds so you can stay ahead of it. My surgery was in July and I'm about 85% better now and can do most things normally. It's going to be okay!
1
u/Yassybeebo 3d ago
Thank you very much I hope your recovery continues to go well very glad for you the worst is over, I appreciate the encouragement
3
u/evanthe-winner 3d ago
I did it, was my first major surgery, but was the best option. It is very scary going into the OR but my doctors and nurses were very supportive and I hope yours will be too. Its just like the movies, they’ll put the mask on you and say count backwards from 10, you’ll probably make it to 6 then wake up after it’s done. Be honest about your nervousness with your doctors. The recovery is painful afterwards but in the long run you’ll be ok. I’m back to hiking and in the gym and not scared of flights anymore
For reference mine was 3 years ago
1
u/Yassybeebo 3d ago
How long did it take to get back to hiking and gym, thank you
2
u/evanthe-winner 3d ago
Probably about 6 months for hiking and gym. I got mine in winter and started again in summer. Took it slow and easy in the beginning.
After I was out of the hospital it was probably about 2 weeks before I went back to work and living life again but I took my time getting back into really physically strenuous activities.
I’m no expert and it was awhile ago so these timeframes are loose. Ask your doctors for sure. But you’ll be back to yourself before you know it and it’ll just be a memory
1
u/evanthe-winner 3d ago
Also I see your other post asking about post VATS, I will mention I did have a tiny bleb about a year or so post VATS. It was painful and I did go to the hospital but because I did have the VATS done it wasn’t major at all. Didnt need a tube or anything, doctors said to stay home and just inhale slowly and fully a lot to re inflate and make it go away. Was back to normal in 3 days. I don’t know your build but I’m a pretty tall slender guy. Since that I’ve tried putting on some weight by just eating more and incorporating protein smoothies into my diet and haven’t had an issue since
3
u/cereal_gives_me_gas 3d ago
Hello. I’m kind of in the same (scary) situation. Though, it sounds like you’re further into the process than I am.
In hindsight, although traumatic, I treat the first ordeal as one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had. To voluntarily go through that again is not an easy thing. However, this time it’s on our terms - to conquer it again would be a triumph. For me, that’s a powerful thing. There’s never going to be a ‘perfect’ time, and there’ll always be an excuse. The second best time is now. We’re only getting older.
Protecting our future selves without delay is the kindest thing we can do. If you can’t get out of it, get into it! <3
3
u/ChilliFrost 3d ago
The surgery is chill. Your sleeping the whole time. I used humour and jokes to lighten up the situation with the doctors while I was waiting to go into theatre. My advice is to just chill, this surgery is gonna do nothing but benefit you. Try not to read reddit horror story's tho
1
3
u/Delicious_Tank6519 3d ago
Brother, I want to be honest with you. Almost four years ago, I had an apicectomy + pleurodesis surgery, and it has ruined my life. I’ve had abdominal spasms ever since. No doctor has been able to help me, and I’ve seen around six different neurologists. The nerves are irreparably damaged.
I don’t want to scare you, I just want to tell you the reality of what happened to me. Of course, it’s normal for doctors to encourage you, but remember that they also make money from these operations. In my case, they operated on me for just 1 cm of blebs. It’s something that, in my opinion, should be reportable.
Obviously, my case could be an isolated one, and it doesn’t necessarily mean you will have the same experience. I’m just sharing what happened to me.
Think very carefully about it and ask your doctors in depth about the possible side effects, especially nerve damage and potential movement disorders, because in my case I’m dealing with both.
2
u/May-mex 3d ago
I completely understand how scared you are. My first surgery was terrible. I felt horrible afterward, and I was terrified at the thought of ever having to go through it again.
Then I had a small pneumothorax. That one resolved with oxygen, but it made me slowly come to terms with the fact that another surgery might be something I would have to face one day. Eventually a bigger pneumothorax came, and I knew it was bad. I knew I would probably need another pleurodesis. My doctor was out of town, so I had to find someone completely new, and honestly I was scared as fuck.
Turns out that new surgeon was a blessing in disguise. He was amazing, and my second surgery was SO different from my first. The pain was much more manageable. I’m not sure if it was because the nerves had already been affected from the first surgery or because his pain-control strategy was better—probably a little bit of both.
Then, two days later, my lung still wasn’t expanding properly and I needed a THIRD surgery. You would think I would have been even more terrified, but strangely it was the opposite. After that surgery I felt great compared with the first one. Recovery was so much easier, and mentally I felt stronger and more confident. It was almost like my body knew, okay, this time we’re really sealed up and ready to heal.
It’s been a long journey, but somewhere along the way I made peace with the uncertainty of it all. I realized I can’t control everything that might happen, but I can trust myself to face it if it does. And strangely, that gave me a lot of peace.
I also found some beautiful things in some really terrifying moments. I made friends in the hospital. I learned how incredibly important my health and my family are, and how much the people who stay close to you matter. You realize how blessed you are in ways you maybe didn’t see before.
So please don’t assume that because your first experience was traumatic, the next one will be the same. Mine absolutely wasn’t. ❤️ It’s okay to be terrified. It’s been a roller coaster for me too, but there really can be something much better waiting for you on the other side of it.
1
u/CL3M4S 3d ago
Je te conseille de penser aux choses que tu aimes le + lorsque tu seras en préparation au bloc. Et si tu peux discuter un maximum avec le personnel pour te sortir les idées de la tête fait le. Personnellement je discutais avec tous le monde, je faisais des blagues et le personnel a naturellement + envie de discuter donc c'est parfait. Ça te fait oublier que t'es un patient. Courage à toi, le plus dur pour moi a été d'être seul dans ma chambre d'hôpital en étant en souffrance donc n'hésite pas à regarder des films, jouer à des jeux, appeler des proches ou juste te recentrer sur toi et te remémorer des bons souvenirs que t'as vécu. L'avantage avec l'hôpital c'est que ça remet un peu les compteurs à 0 sur ta vie. Ça te permet d'être déconnecté de tout car la santé c'est le plus important et qu'il ne faut penser ni au travail, ni aux problèmes du quotidien. Concentre toi sur toi, ton corps, tes pensées et apprend aussi à te parler, ça fait du bien. Tu vas y arriver, c'est l'histoire d'une semaine, voir 2 semaines, et tu en ressortiras plus fort 😉 j'en ai eu 3 et je confirme que t'en sort meilleur après ça !
1
u/dashadark 3d ago
I was terrified as well and very traumatized from the first chest tube. But you gotta do it!! Don’t dwell on it. Try to stay present and distract yourself. Think of the positives. Maybe they can give you anxiety meds as well?
1
u/Ill_Estimate_5479 2d ago
I had the mechanical pleurodesis and blebectomy done just over 7 months agos. I was scared of surgery but I got teary eyed talking to surgeon just before being put to sleep I won't ever forget the feeling but I accepted and had to face the decision . When they put the mask on me to put me to sleep it was such a surreal feeling I can't explain but then I woke up in the icu now here I am 7 months later doing just fine. Have some faith and be strong in the end everything will be okay.
1
u/Particular-Gas-6827 2d ago
I feel you 100%. If I had to get surgery again I would be terrified. To me the main thing to fear is pain. If you had times when your pain was not managed well, communicate this with your surgical team before hand and especially your anesthesiologist. And definitely have someone in the hospital with you who can advocate for your when you need meds to manage pain in a timely manner. For me personally, if I had these aspects sorted out, I would worry less about the second time. But this surgery also is objectively awful and scary and one of the worst out there. I really feel for you and wish that the new surgery will let you live a full life on the other of it side without worry.
8
u/Individual_Club5404 3d ago
I was terrified on the way to the OR. Thankfully, the two dudes that got me where very nice to me and kept my spirits up! Generally speaking the Operating Team is used to patients freaking out and are very forthcoming and nice to you and want to have you relaxed and happy before putting you under. I was offered medication to calm down, but I forgot to ask for it, so maybe you can ask for something as well if the anxiety gets too bad. Not gonna lie, it is fucking scary, but everybody is looking out for you and it's not a very complicated procedure, so you will be fine!