Surgery in T minus ONE WEEK?!

[aleon515]

I've also heard of guys getting told "you'll pass well" (or you won't) as some kind of condition, where I imagine guys who they think won't, get a harder time. I can tell you (and  you can look at a pre-post picture of me and see-- check it out in the testosterone forum under a thread on compounded cream) that I didn't pass in the slightest and there was nothing at all that would make you think I would. I do pretty much most of the time, but even that, well it's how you would feel on T (and top surgery). Not whether you pass or not.

--Jay

[FlightyBrood]

well here we are back on track of things....we decided to take the stuff they told us to, all the herbal stuff just in case.

the kind of complications im really worried about is just...death. im just worried about not waking up, or something going wrong and i just die on the table. its not even dying so much as it is leaving my boyfriend and things. i know its really highly unlikely, almost impossible, but no matter what i think or believe, i have bad luck. its never been fatally bad, though.

im not TOO stressed about it, its in the back of my mind. literally the only thing im worried about is the surgery itself. healing is no problem for me, but the surgery....its a bit unnerving is all. ive never been under anesthesia before or had a surgery or anything.

I take my boyfriend not being able to come with me as a test or how ready i am. im not worried about him not being there, in fact, hes more worried than i am! i can do this, its go in, go to sleep, wake up and come home. its just kind of tough cause we are so rarely apart from each other. i just hope we wont end up having to.

boyfriends surgery is the day after tomarrow-the day before my surgery is where i got sick. lets hope things go well for him, he feels fine right now so lets hope it stays that way!

[Declan.]

The odds of dying as a result of anesthesia are around 1 and 200,000 - 500,000. To put this into perspective, the odds of dying in a plane crash are not much higher than that, but you rarely hear about plane crashes even though millions of people fly every day. Remember, they knock people out for routine operations that you could easily have under local anesthetic. If it were that dangerous, that wouldn't be the case (it would be reserved for emergencies).

[FlightyBrood]

The odds of dying as a result of anesthesia are around 1 and 200,000 - 500,000. To put this into perspective, the odds of dying in a plane crash are not much higher than that, but you rarely hear about plane crashes even though millions of people fly every day. Remember, they knock people out for routine operations that you could easily have under local anesthetic. If it were that dangerous, that wouldn't be the case (it would be reserved for emergencies).

that is pretty much all i needed to hear. statistics put me at ease, mostly. im still going to think, what if i am that ONE?? what if??? but ultimately, its not such a big deal. its just hard venturing into the unknown!

[aleon515]

that is pretty much all i needed to hear. statistics put me at ease, mostly. im still going to think, what if i am that ONE?? what if??? but ultimately, its not such a big deal. its just hard venturing into the unknown!

It's a fear I think ultimately of being out of control, not really of dying. It's very safe and there are a lot fo things that they do. YOu should tell the doctor and anethesiologist. I have heard they can be very helpful about easing your mind. I was really scared but then by the time I talked to Dr G I felt really calmer. I think talking to the doctor is a really good thing because you can tell how confident they are.

--Jay

[FlightyBrood]

It's a fear I think ultimately of being out of control, not really of dying. It's very safe and there are a lot fo things that they do. YOu should tell the doctor and anethesiologist. I have heard they can be very helpful about easing your mind. I was really scared but then by the time I talked to Dr G I felt really calmer. I think talking to the doctor is a really good thing because you can tell how confident they are.

--Jay

That's it right there! It's a fear of me not being in control and not knowing what my outcome is for sure. A fear of the unknown one could say.

I'll let the Dr know-i actually met the anesthesiologist by accident. He's very cool, reminds me of a guy from the tv show archer. I'm in good hands, for sure, but it's still that leap of faith that spooks me.

Talking it out here is really making it easier... Thanks all

[FlightyBrood]

The boyfriends scop patch is on and he's ready to go tomarrow morning! I'll keep you all filled in.

I finalized my plans with my driver on Thursday so we are all good on that! Here's hoping I don't get sick again...

[Kreuzfidel]

Good luck to both of you.  Please keep us informed when you're feeling up to it

P.S. - You'll be fine 

[FlightyBrood]

Boyfriends home from surgery! He did fine the ride home, he's now asleep.

I'm due in tomarrow. I hope all goes well, since I won't have anyone around. The staff is super friendly though so I should be fine. Keep Ya posted!

[Bimmer Guy]

Boyfriends home from surgery! He did fine the ride home, he's now asleep.

I'm due in tomarrow. I hope all goes well, since I won't have anyone around. The staff is super friendly though so I should be fine. Keep Ya posted!

Good luck!

[FlightyBrood]

This is hard. This whole month has been hard. I'm sitting here fighting tears because I'm apparently more stressed out about this than I thought.

I'm terrified of the IV, freaking terrified. I'm making a big deal about nothing, I know, but it's just...it's hard. This is a part of my body that has always been there being taken away. And it's not like I WANT them there-If I were to not go through with the surgery then I would just spend my whole life hiding them and praying that nobody finds out. What the heck is the point in that? There is no doubt in my mind that I want this but it is dang HARD. Something I am so used to being GONE. Forever. No going back.

It's kind of scary. I am most definitely ready to be done with binders and hiding and the like but...I don't know, I guess this month's stresses have caught up with me.

I'll be fine. Chin up, brave face, it'll all be over soon and everything will be fine. 

[Kreuzfidel]

Flighty, what you're feeling is perfectly normal IMHO. 

Regarding the IV - it's okay to be scared.  It really only pinches for a moment, then it's done.  I am also afraid of needles, so my advice is not to look at it and you'll be just fine.  Imagine that you're getting a pimple squeezed in a really sensitive area - sounds ridiculous, but that's what I thought when it happened! lol

As far as the feelings you're having about a part of you being gone forever - I felt the same way.  It's not that you want them there - but it's your body and it's a major thing.  Even post-op, I'm feeling a bit weird still.  It's something that you get used to - and when it's not there anymore, it's just a little different.  I feel great that they're gone - but it's an adjustment and everyone will experience it differently.

Just breathe and imagine the freedom of not having to worry about binding anymore.  Envision yourself a year into the future and all the things you'll be able to do with your new chest. 

[Declan.]

I think most of your anxiety comes from having it rescheduled. If you psych yourself up for something and it gets rescheduled, you have to start all over again, and with much less time to prepare yourself.  It's human nature to be freaked out that a part of your body is being removed. People get freaked out when they have an extra finger or toe removed, too. You're used to your body. That's a normal feeling.

If you're really worried about the IV, you can usually request a local anesthetic. That may hurt a bit more than the IV itself, but it may make you feel better. Have you ever had an IV before? Do you know what to expect? Is it the unknown that's bothering you?

Remember, you are in control. At any point before you're asleep, even if you're sitting in the chair with the IV in, you can say "I'm not ready," and they'll let you go. The anticipation is always the worst part of any kind of procedure, so reminding yourself that you have the power to back out if it proves to be too much to handle will make you feel much better. 

[FlightyBrood]

Flighty, what you're feeling is perfectly normal IMHO. 

Regarding the IV - it's okay to be scared.  It really only pinches for a moment, then it's done.  I am also afraid of needles, so my advice is not to look at it and you'll be just fine.  Imagine that you're getting a pimple squeezed in a really sensitive area - sounds ridiculous, but that's what I thought when it happened! lol

As far as the feelings you're having about a part of you being gone forever - I felt the same way.  It's not that you want them there - but it's your body and it's a major thing.  Even post-op, I'm feeling a bit weird still.  It's something that you get used to - and when it's not there anymore, it's just a little different.  I feel great that they're gone - but it's an adjustment and everyone will experience it differently.

Just breathe and imagine the freedom of not having to worry about binding anymore.  Envision yourself a year into the future and all the things you'll be able to do with your new chest.

its good to know this is pretty normal. im ready for the after, just not the...before.

I think most of your anxiety comes from having it rescheduled. If you psych yourself up for something and it gets rescheduled, you have to start all over again, and with much less time to prepare yourself.  It's human nature to be freaked out that a part of your body is being removed. People get freaked out when they have an extra finger or toe removed, too. You're used to your body. That's a normal feeling.

If you're really worried about the IV, you can usually request a local anesthetic. That may hurt a bit more than the IV itself, but it may make you feel better. Have you ever had an IV before? Do you know what to expect? Is it the unknown that's bothering you?

Remember, you are in control. At any point before you're asleep, even if you're sitting in the chair with the IV in, you can say "I'm not ready," and they'll let you go. The anticipation is always the worst part of any kind of procedure, so reminding yourself that you have the power to back out if it proves to be too much to handle will make you feel much better. 

ive never had an IV before. Im catastrophically bad with needles that have to sit in me for longer than it takes for my T shot. im worried about panicking and not being able to get my mind off the needle in my hand. Boyfriend said its fine and that nothing was too bad. Its literally just the anticipation thats destroying me.

[Declan.]

ive never had an IV before. Im catastrophically bad with needles that have to sit in me for longer than it takes for my T shot. im worried about panicking and not being able to get my mind off the needle in my hand. Boyfriend said its fine and that nothing was too bad. Its literally just the anticipation thats destroying me.

No wonder you're so freaked out...

The needle is no bigger than your shot. If you request a "butterfly" needle, it will be even thinner. The needle goes in just under your skin and does not stay there. After the nurse puts the needle in, s/he will slide a very thin, soft and flexible plastic tube through the needle. As complex and weird as an IV looks, that's the only part that's in your skin.

Then s/he will take the needle out. It's over quickly. The needle will only be in your skin for 3-10 seconds. It feels similar to getting a blood test, but it's over in seconds as opposed to minutes. They do have numbing sprays they can use whether you get a local anesthetic or not as well. You don't feel the tubing in your skin (it's too soft), but your skin will feel a little uncomfortable because of all the tape.

The part about an IV that sucks is after it's been in for a long time, but it feels like a persistent bruise as opposed to a needle pain. If you get it in the crook of your arm, you'll be more uncomfortable because the flexible tubing can get bent (which sounds much worse than it really is). The funny thing is, the worst part of all is when they tear the tape off your skin to take the IV out. It feels like ripping off a giant band-aid. If it makes you feel any better, I've had quite a few IVs and that's what I hate most about them, even with my hatred of needles, lol.

Tell them you're phobic and have never had an IV before. They'll be extra gentle with you, and they'll have the nurse with the most experience give it to you. If you get a good nurse, you may not feel it at all since they know how to avoid nerves.

[FlightyBrood]

No wonder you're so freaked out...

The needle is no bigger than your shot. If you request a "butterfly" needle, it will be even thinner. The needle goes in just under your skin and does not stay there. After the nurse puts the needle in, s/he will slide a very thin, soft and flexible plastic tube through the needle. As complex and weird as an IV looks, that's the only part that's in your skin.

Then s/he will take the needle out. It's over quickly. The needle will only be in your skin for 3-10 seconds. It feels similar to getting a blood test, but it's over in seconds as opposed to minutes. They do have numbing sprays they can use whether you get a local anesthetic or not as well. You don't feel the tubing in your skin (it's too soft), but your skin will feel a little uncomfortable because of all the tape.

The part about an IV that sucks is after it's been in for a long time, but it feels like a persistent bruise as opposed to a needle pain. If you get it in the crook of your arm, you'll be more uncomfortable because the flexible tubing can get bent (which sounds much worse than it really is). The funny thing is, the worst part of all is when they tear the tape off your skin to take the IV out. It feels like ripping off a giant band-aid. If it makes you feel any better, I've had quite a few IVs and that's what I hate most about them, even with my hatred of needles, lol.

Tell them you're phobic and have never had an IV before. They'll be extra gentle with you, and they'll have the nurse with the most experience give it to you. If you get a good nurse, you may not feel it at all since they know how to avoid nerves.

...it's a tube in there?! You mean I DONT have to have a needle in me just sitting there?! Suddenly everything is 50000 times easier! A bit of freakin tube in my skin is freaking nothing are you serious

Why did nobody tell me this sooner?! I can sit there with just about anything under my skin, long as its not a needle. Wow. Wow. This is gonna be cake.

Thank you so much dude I don't think you even understand how much that was worrying me!

[Declan.]

...it's a tube in there?! You mean I DONT have to have a needle in me just sitting there?! Suddenly everything is 50000 times easier! A bit of freakin tube in my skin is freaking nothing are you serious

Why did nobody tell me this sooner?! I can sit there with just about anything under my skin, long as its not a needle. Wow. Wow. This is gonna be cake.

Thank you so much dude I don't think you even understand how much that was worrying me!

Haha, no problem. I figured that was why you were worried. Glad I could help.

I don't think everyone knows or they probably would have told you. An IV really is just a tiny, soft, short tube held in by tape. The part that's under your skin is as thin as a hair - not an exaggeration. (So don't worry when you see the thick tubing coming out of the plastic hub - that's not in your hand!) I think people see the needle, look away so they don't watch what's going on, and assume that's what's staying in their skin.

[FlightyBrood]

Scop patch is on and I'm ready to go for tomarrow!

[Declan.]

Good luck! Have a great day tomorrow.

[NathanExplosion]

Hey guys, FB's boyfriend here! I'm being told they took him back about twenty minutes ago! I'm freaking out for him... really upset I couldn't be there, but I just had my surgery yesterday, so what can you do? A great friend of ours is there with him, gave him a ride because his mom couldn't do it, and refuses money for gas. I'm just gonna have to buy her something really nice!

Anyway, send all your good energies, guys. We really appreciate the support.