Having surgery and I feel like an absolute wreck

[ChattyChai]

I was told last week I needed sinus surgery. I was told it would be a year away.

I got the call this week and was told it’s actually in two weeks time. I feel totally overwhelmed. I’ve never been put under before and I’m terrified.

im going to be having endoscopic sinus surgery.

im terrified that i wont wake up, im terrified that something will go wrong and ill end up blind, I dont think ill be getting travel insurance so im going to have to cancel my holiday.

im at work and all in a flap. I just want to cry, I was supposed to have a year to decide if I wanted it or not. I wasn’t prepared for this. I’m just not ready for it at all, I’m scared of recovery and everything. I’m not going to get the time off work; because my work are being dicks to me anyway because I’m in my notice. I’m just terrified

and breathe....

It is a shock when the timings come forward.

All your feelings are very valid and normal but do not predict what will happen.

If you are abe to speak to the medics they can reassure you on any concerns re the surgery. You will wake up!

Just think in 2 weeks it will all be over and you will be feeling much better

Everything I’ve heard says the recovery is awful. I’m so angry

It all sounds like such a shock. Remember that you don’t have to take the date they’ve offered - you can say it’s not convenient (because of work etc) and ask for a later date. On the other hand, it will be done sooner if you take the earliest date and you will be a step closer to being fully recovered. Please speak to a medical professional if you’re worried about the procedure. Remember, for most of us surgery is scary and unusual but for the surgeon it’s a standard procedure which they do all the time. Take care.

Honestly it’s fine, you are monitored more closely than anywhere else under anaesthetic. I was a wreck and crying saying I couldn’t do it and the next thing I woke up
they’re giving you drugs to keep you asleep so it’s not like they put you asleep then have to wake you up from it

it's pretty routine surgery (am anaesthetising for one tomorrow morning). If you're not sure you want to have it though just tell them - they can't make you have it.

Just tell them it’s too short notice.

If work is the issue then get signed off.

If you need further information then ask for a sit down with the surgeon or for an anaesthetics appointment.

It must be quite a shock having been told you have a year to consider it - they won’t be surprised if you needed more time

Ahh @ChattyChai bless you 💐

My DH had nasal polyps removed a month ago and I was really worried that he wouldn't come round or he'd be blind, but he was absolutely fine.
They said that he had a lot of gunk in his sinuses so they cleared it all out and he's loads better now.

When is your holiday?

1st September. They’ve said it’ll be fine for me to fly but I can’t imagine my insurance being okay with it. It’s just really stressing me out. My work have said a maximum of one week off, but everything I’ve seen online is that the recovery is rough and it’s a month

Do you know if the surgery is similar to having nasal polyps removed?

If it is, then DH had his operation on a Tuesday, packing removed Friday and then he was full of beans as they gave him a high dose of steroids.

He could have gone back to work the Monday after, but worked from home to try and minimise picking up any germs from others.

He'd definitely feel well enough to go on holiday now and he spent the night in hospital as it takes him longer to get over anaesthetic than average, but everyone else on his ward were in and out so don't let that put you off!

I wouldn’t go off online. I saw that people were complaining about severe trapped wind pain with mine, unable to stand/walk around, needed their husband to help them to the toilet etc etc
I didn’t have any trapped pain, walked out of hospital the next day and didn’t need any help

From what I can tell it’s going into my nose with a camera, and thinning out the walls of my sinuses. He did say it’s a minimal amount of thickening of my sinuses, so it’s just a case of how bad it is I guess.

My Dh had this done end of April polyps removal and widening the cavity !
I was a bit worried he has had it done before but this time recovery was fast no packing either it was all dissolvable and he could breathe properly when I picked him up same day ! He had to have a few weeks off but only because his job is dusty and dirty ! We went on holiday and flew a month after he was fine ! X

Really? I’ve seen lots online that it’s a horrid recovery! I’m honestly so scared by it all, I’ve never been put under before!x

You’ll be fine. General anaesthetic is actually
really pleasant for me - like the best nap ever.

Its normal to be scared but you need the surgery so… can’t do it awake.

As for your insurance - just inform them. I had an appendectomy a month ago and flew 3 days ago. They just updated the policy and didn’t even charge any extra.

As for work, see how you feel after the week off. If you can’t work then you tell them you’re still too unwell. They can’t force you in or fire you for being unwell.

I’ve sent them an email to ask them to confirm.

my work are being dicks to me at the moment anyway, so it’s likely they’ll use this to punish me further.

Hey OP, I had the FESS and septumplasty last week. Honestly the anaesthetic is no issue, they will talk to you and make sure you’re ok. You should have a pre-op where they’ll discuss allergies etc with you. When you wake up, you’ll be monitored closely too.

recovery is tough but it depends on the swelling inside the nose. If you’re not having the septum done at the same time I imagine it’ll be a much smoother recovery!

my sinuses are/were absolutely stuffed full of pus and it’s still leaking now.

I’m signed off for 2 weeks, so no sport or heavy lifting in that time! (But I’m not in the Uk)

I think I’m just having the endoscopic surgery. He hasn’t mentioned anything about my septum! How bad is it? I’m terrified

Honestly when he had it done years ago !
it really was barbaric surgery and recovery was not nice !
This time round recovery was smooth operation like this is so advanced now they used a camera it was amazing he could breathe straight away don’t be googling it it’s the worst thing to do and he had zero packing to pull out it was dissolvable and he said he couldn’t even feel it I would say go for it x

Get a fit note signing you off work for however long you need for your recovery. That not for work to decide.

Iv had more surgeries then I can count and honestly you will know nothing about it. You will go in change into a gown answer a million questions multiple times the surgeon will come talk to you and the anesthetist will come speak to you then you will go in the operating theatre the anesthetist will administer the anesthetic and probably crack some jokes and reassure you (anesthetists are the best drs) and some one will hold your hand either the anesthetist or a nurse and the next thing you know (it feels like a second) it will be over you will be awake confused wondering if they already did it. The worst bit is not eating and drinking before hand. You will honestly be fine.

I think the septum part of the op is the nastier bit!

so there is swelling inside and outside the nose but nothing particularly noticeable. It doesn’t hurt, I’m taking 3x 600mg of ibuprofen which manages any pain. The outside of the nose will be very tender, mine still is.

im on the 5th day of a leaky nose and have either tissues shoved up there or a nose bandage that goes round the ears. Though my ENT said this is particularly bad. So it’ll depend on your own circumstances too.

you learn to sleep upright quickly! Have lots of pillows and a big bottle of water to drink. I still can’t breathe through my nose so I wake up a lot with desert mouth or have to clean my nose / change bandage. The sleep deprivation is the worst part of all of this!

My GP won’t issue one

The hospital will do you one if you ask

Dear OP, you are actually very lucky when you think about it. I am in similar circumstances but for something much more serious.
Having only two weeks to worry about it is actually a blessing in disguise. Imagine waiting, worrying, obsessing for an entire year beforehand!
2 weeks will be here and gone and you will be on your way to recovery. Try to change your perspective and be grateful. Best of luck.