How to get past pre surgery nerves?

[RainSoakedNights]

I’m having an operation on Thursday. It’s my first ever experience with GA, surgery, healing, and anything like that. My consultation in January was my first ever hospital appointment! Please give me some tips to get through the nerves because I can’t spend the next four days like this

X post.
The GA will be tailored to you personally: you’ll be carefully monitored throughout the operation.
Your weight and WLI won’t be unfamiliar to them.
The hospital will cater for any painkillers you need.

I must be odd because I actually like getting a general anaesthetic.

OP, the anaesthetists are really good, and they’ve done it countless times before. Anaesthetics are good, too - when I was young, you felt as though you’d been mugged; these days, you look at the clock and it’s half past two, then suddenly it’s ten to five and it’s all done. They will give you painkillers for afterwards. So you won’t be “out of it”, you won’t be in pain, and it will all be done. Then a few days of R and R, and you’ll be wondering what on earth you were worried about. Good luck for your operation - of course it feels like a big thing, but you will be back on here this time next week letting us know that it really wasn’t a big deal.

Yeah I keep trying to tell myself that - in a week I’ll be feeling like an idiot and then in 3 weeks I’ll be back to normal! I think a lot of it stems from never really having had any experience with anaesthetics in general. My only real memories are my brother when I was 3, and he was 2 (so he was naturally besides himself because he was so little!) and my mum was I was very young at school - both times I remember just being kept away from the patient and it seemed so scary! The other is my mum after a pretty big gynae op, so it’s only been those extremes!

Its honestly not like that at all it wears off quite quick you just feel chilled. You won't do or say anything past the recovery room. Once your back on the ward you will be completely normal

You're not odd I do to but thats because iv had it loads since being a baby so I never had that fear of the unknown that op has.

I think I’m also just a bit pissed off. I’m in a good routine with work, exercise and weight loss, and I’m having to pause it all for a month

You will wake up anesthetic is incredibly safe. Which is why they use it all the time because it is so safe

I’ve had loads of GAs (lost count it’s that high). You’ll be fine. The actual going to sleep bit and drifting off is quite pleasant to be honest.

So they’ll walk or wheel you down to a room outside the theatre - the staff there have always been lovely and having a laugh with me and looking after me - the anaesthetist will come and see you before you go and explain everything - you’ll be chatting one minute and wake up the next and you won’t be alone they’ll be a nurse right next to you talking to you. It will be over before you know it - only one op I’ve had hurt a bit more after than I thought it would - and I’ve had major spinal surgery - never as bad as you think post op - I know it’s easier said than done but try not to get yourself too worked up. They’ll have already given you painkillers when you’re out as well. You’ll soon be back on the ward with your tea and toast.

😆

You’re worried about waking up? They’ll have told you if there were complications but have stated it’ll be fine. Trust them. They don’t hold back if there’s something grim you need to know.
You’ve lost weight and have been exercising which puts you in a good position. See the positive in this rather than be pissed off. It’s a temporary halt to your good work, that’s all.
The worry is far worse than the experience.
Let us know how you get on.

I’m just worried about all of it. I’m feeling a bit more settled today, I can’t change it now so I’ve got to go ahead

I can totally relate because neurosurgery two years ago was my first ever GA (apart from having a couple of teeth out at the dentist as a child). I was 54, obese and terrified.
Honestly there was nothing to worry about. Everyone was lovely, from the porter who wrapped me in a heated blanket to wheel me to theatre, to the anaesthetist, to the nurse who sat by my bed monitoring me all that first night.
I do remember coming round to a bit of fuss because the cannula had come out of my hand and there was a bit of blood on the sheets, but it was quickly sorted. And I stated crying as I woke up and sobbed to a doctor that he must let my pregnant DD know I was ok. Which he did, bless him. In fact I cried off and on for months, but having been very stoic when diagnosed with a benign brain tumour and having hurt myself numerous times by keeling over in seizures, I think it was a delayed reaction.
Being looked after by the lovely nurses, and having an excuse to take it easy for the next couple of months while off sick from work were definite positives. If I have to have a GA again, it won’t bother me half as much.
it’s natural to worry especially before your first one, but don’t panic, you’ll be ok.

It’s natural to be concerned about the unknown. Hopefully the reassurance you’ve had here will go some way to help you through the next few days. x

I’d take yourself away from social media and from constantly researching and seeking reassurance. Take yourself out for some physical exercise if you are able to, do something new and different, keep yourself busy. Apply any techniques that you already use to manage your anxiety, whatever you know works for you.