[toesquasher]

Hi
I need some advice. In a little over a week I'm going in for abdominal surgery. Due to my past, the idea of it terrifies me. But, due to my present, I'm also afraid. You see, this will be surgery numb 17 for me but only the first as a known person with DID. The last surgery I had was 15 years ago when I was a teen without any knowledge of DID.
I don't have a clue how to handle this surgery. I just always made it through with the help of one or more of my alters. This time, knowing who I'm dealing with inside, I don't know how they are going to respond. Especially my little ones. For the pre-op exam I just had to numb everyone out. Any ideas on how to handle the surgery with DID? I have a call into my doctor to talk about the DID. Hopefully he'll call back tomorrow. But, how do I prepare my little ones for majorly invasive, frightening surgery?????????? Help!

[Bmee2]

i do not have any suggestions. i just wanted you to know you are in my thoughts. May the surgery go well without any difficulties.

[possum220]

Tell your little ones that the nurses and doctors are going to take really good care of you while you are going to to take a nap. They are going to make you feel much better.

Make plans now to make things easier for your self. Lavendar pillow? Stuffed toy? Music? Nice drinks? Candles? Prepare these things before hand. Ask a friend to help you to get organised if you need it.... Or need help at home afterwards.

Allow yourself to rest.... put notes around the place where you live... to take deep breaths.

Can family help? Think of things you will need that make you feel better. And put them in place.

Relax and take care. Hope all goes well.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by toesquasher

Hi
I need some advice. In a little over a week I'm going in for abdominal surgery. Due to my past, the idea of it terrifies me. But, due to my present, I'm also afraid. You see, this will be surgery numb 17 for me but only the first as a known person with DID. The last surgery I had was 15 years ago when I was a teen without any knowledge of DID.
I don't have a clue how to handle this surgery. I just always made it through with the help of one or more of my alters. This time, knowing who I'm dealing with inside, I don't know how they are going to respond. Especially my little ones. For the pre-op exam I just had to numb everyone out. Any ideas on how to handle the surgery with DID? I have a call into my doctor to talk about the DID. Hopefully he'll call back tomorrow. But, how do I prepare my little ones for majorly invasive, frightening surgery?????????? Help!

After I knew I had DID I was so afraid of all kinds of things including when I needed surgery to correct a heart problem. my therapist and doctors knew I was DID. when I approached them with this fear about surgery and my alters they told me

"relax, you have been through surgery before and everything went ok, you didnt just wake up yesterday with alters you have had them all your life so for them and you this is something they and you have already know how to handle. have trust in yourself and your alters. they are there to help and protect you and they will continue to do that even though you now know you have these alters inside of you. its just one of those things that you have been through when you didnt know you had DID so its the same now that you know about it. knowing about DID doesnt change things it just puts a name on whats already been going on."

So I relaxed and went through the surgery just like I always did when my heart needed a new patch over my hole in my heart because I was growing and changing.. I packed a suitcase and if any alters took over they packed what ever they needed. all that was different was at the hospital when I opened the suitcase I wasnt surprised any more to find coloring book crayons and that blasted well used stuffed animal with patches of fur missing from use. lol, I went through the surgery with nothing new that hasnt always happened and went home, recouperated and went back to work, just like I would have done before I knew I was DID.

if you have been through surgery before then your alters also have been through surgery before and know how to take care of what ever they will need with them during the hospitalization and surgery. nothing has changed other than you now have a name for whats already been happening.