To cancel the surgery tomorrow? I'm scared

[trytrytry]

I've had lots of dodgy symptoms for a while(over 10 years) and they are getting worse.
My gynaecologist thinks I have endometriosis.
I'm booked in for a diagnostic laparoscopy tomorrow.
I'm terrified and I feel sick already.
I don't want to have it incase I don't wake up.
I've had my pre op and they say I'm perfectly healthy to have it.
I'm having bowel and bladder symptoms and bleeding after sex.
My smear was normal and swabs etc
It's a day surgery so I can come home same day.
My gf says if it won't kill me don't have the lap.
What do I do ?

I've had laproscopic surgery before - I know all the arguments about how safe it is and I've made them before - I still got the jitters the night before and cried on my way down.

It's natural to feel scared - I get that, but it's not being done for no reason

Your GF is right that you won't die if you don't have it done, in that you won't die tomorrow. And the liklihood is that anything they find will only improve your quality of life, rather than saving your life - but there's always that chance they find something that would kill you long term - so in directly not having the lap may kill you

BTW worse thing about a lap is the trapped wind afterwards

A lap and treatment for endo has significantly improved my life. Does it make it easier to think of it as going to the hospital to talk about the treatment. If you go and explain you are nervous someone more qualified can explain the risks and benefits and you can work out a plan together to either get you through the surgery or cancel. I did not find the recovery bad and it may lead to a nice rest in the sun for you. Z

I'm sure you will be happy to get a better picture of what is going on.
You will more than likely get a diagnosis, which obviously is a good thing.
You will be proud of yourself that you managed to cope with any anxieties ( perfectly normal to have them )
Come back and let us know how you got on .We are all rooting for you !

Ok - general anaesthetic is scary. But the actual risk is very very rare. A quick google puts it at 1 in 100,000 for a healthy person.

To put that into perspective:-

Roll a die and get a six.
Roll again and get a six again.
Roll again and get a six again.
Roll again and get a six again.
Roll again and get a six again.
Roll again and get a six again.

This happening is still more than twice as likely as a healthy person dying under general anaesthetic.

You’ll be fine Op.

You’ll be ok. I’ve had this done about 12 times now - I was diagnosed with endo about 20 years ago and I have a lap to clear it out when it gets too much.

Ignore the comment about it being a “light” anaesthetic - that’s simply not true. It’s a proper anaesthetic - you’ll be fast asleep, won’t feel a thing. You lie on the bed, they give you the anaesthetic and the next minute you will be waking up. You’ll be a bit uncomfortable when you wake up but be back on your feet within a few days. Unfortunately a lap is the only way to diagnose endo, so I’d get it done, then you can plan treatment accordingly.

Good luck x

I had a shoulder op under GA recently and, like you, I was scared about not waking up. But (as I'm not posting from the afterlife!) it was fine.

I had to go alone too and once I was settled in the day unit they made me gown up and put my dressing gown over the top.

I was walked to theatre and the anaesthesiologist came to speak with me and took me to the anteroom to the theatre where they took my dressing gown and slippers and got me on a trolley. They firstly put a cannula in, then gave me the anaesthetic. I didn't even drift off, I was out like a light and then came round about 2.5 hours' later. I started to dream while I was coming round, then heard someone calling my name as I woke up.

You'll be fine (but probably with a very dry mouth!).

Good luck.

Most people are nervous of operations. However the benefits outweight the fear. Go for it.

I get really stressed over GA's and ops and I normally make the nurse who is checking me in aware so that they can mark it on my notes.

You will be ok. I book theatre lists and have done for 15 years. Everyone has been ok!! Please turn up. There's nothing worse from my perspective than someone not turning up. It costs thousands in wasted theatre time and staff. Waiting lists are so long and another patient could have had your place. Good luck. Let's us know how you got on.

Hi I had a laparoscopy in October, had the exact same worries as you. I need not have because it just felt like I had woken up from the best sleep ever! And it helped so much with my endometriosis! It's a slightly uncomfortable week after but its totally manageable with paracetamol and rest. Good luck for tomorrow

When you wake up don’t be surprised if you feel a bit spaced out for the first few minutes. Also if you feel sick tell them and they will give you some medicine for that. It’s not uncommon to feel nauseous after a GA and the anti sickness medicine works quickly. I tend to be quite sleepy for a day or two after in a relaxed chilled out way.

Getting endo dealt with changed my life. I put up with it for far too long.

Oh you poor thing, I sobbed in the hospital car park before mine last year so I totally understand. I think first operations are always scary.
6 months on I occasionally see my (tiny and fading) scar and have to think about where it's from, it was such a tiny event in reality.

Hope it all goes well, mint tea for any trapped gas after works well

I had a salpingectomy, and I'm not sure, but did they mention putting gas into your stomach to allow them to see properly? If so, grab yourself something for gas pains for afterwards. They can also give you this big pink pill afterwards which makes you burp and / or fart Just thought would mention this as if you Wake with gas pains in your chest you might be alarmed, but it's normal.

I have been under a GA a few times but I cannot stress how lovely all the NHS staff have been. I have massive control issues and go in to a terrible panic before. My last GA was for an ovarian cyst drain and at the age of 38 I went to sleep holding a nurses hand. Don’t be afraid to tell them you are nervous.

My gf says if it won't kill me don't have the lap.
Is your GF medically trained?
If not, that's really unhelpful advice.

Slight misunderstanding. I think OP means her 'gut feeling'.

Oops I made the same mistake, I thought she meant girl friend, obviously.

The hardest part of any surgery is being scared beforehand. This is the first step in solving what's wrong with you. You know you are doing the right thing by facing your fears! Do ask for the sedative. Bring a silly magazine or play silly puzzles until it is over--distraction is the key. Let the doctors do the heavy lifting now. You just watch TV, chill out, and soon you'll be home with a cup of tea and your feet up!

Thinking of you!

All will go ok OP. I have been under GA twice they tell you to do it back from 10 the 1st time I got to 7 , the second time I didn't even get a chance to think 10 let alone say it.
If it's not too late I would suggest you pack a toothbrush as well as my mouth always taste horrible afterwards.
When you're feeling up to it report back to us this evening and let us know how everything went.

Thanks everyone I'm heading off in a short while
I'm really scared but il be ok

Good luck OP

You'll be fine!! Proud of you for being brave come back after and tell us how it went!

God I look like I've been dug up with no makeup on...

Hopefully that feeling will be the worst part of today! I’m imagining myself with no makeup - scary!!! Good luck.

Good luck OP!