To be terrified of having surgery?

[Daisythecat15]

I'm having my first surgery in 8 days and I'm absolutely terrified.

I can't stop thinking that I won't wake up from the anaesthetic. Is that stupid? I know the chances of it happening are tiny (I got given a leaflet and it said it's a 5 in 1 million chance) but I just can't shake the fear!! I keep feeling like I'm getting closer and closer to the last day of my life.

How do I get over this? Is it normal to feel this way? For context I'm having major abdominal surgery, so I'm also very nervous about pain etc but my main fear is being put under.

My mother had lots (dozen+?) of surgeries age 45+. She started updating her will each time before. Would send around copies to all her family & friends.

My mom was convinced that doctors & surgeons hid lots of malpractice. After all the surgeries (which always went fine), mom died of heart attack & pneumonia, both of which started at home, she didn't look after herself at all. I encourage you to focus on what you can do to make yourself healthy, OP.

YANBU to be scared, it's a really weird new thing and who wouldn't be at least a little apprehensive about the idea of being unconscious while strangers are messing around cutting you? That's just normal lol.

I've had quite a few surgeries though and tbh I really enjoy it! It's good fun. It's interesting to be part of and the drugs they give you before you go unconscious feel AMAZING, like they give you something that makes you feel euphorically happy and giggling, you might be anxious going into the theatre but I promise once that stuff goes in you'll be having a whale of a time. I've also found surgery staff to be unfailingly wonderful at putting you at ease and keeping you calm.

One thing that I like knowing is when I'm going to be falling asleep, as I'm not keen on the not knowing. So I just ask them to tell me when they're putting it into my hand, which they always do, then I know it won't take me by surprise (not that it would matter if they did tbh, it takes milliseconds from the moment you feel it working to being out cold).

Waking up is always a bit weird, last time I had surgery I woke up and burst into tears at the fact they hadn't done it (they had haha). But the staff take good care of you. It's so fascinating that you just mentally lose that entire block of time. Have fun!

I’ve had a fair few surgeries, and also worked in surgery as a nurse. I’ve seen both sides. Without fail, every anaesthetist I’ve ever worked with has been wonderful, they are a special breed of doctors (and not just because they give you the good drugs).

I’m awaiting surgery and quite looking forward to it - a lovely sleep, an excuse to do not much for 2 weeks after and a reprieve from my pain! Try and look for the positives. You are having a big op, but they will look after you well and hopefully you’ll be so much better after you’ve recovered.

I have a phobia of GA, and despite having had five now (and the last two were cancer surgeries so the alternative should have scared me more) the phobia is still there. I tell the anaesthetist when they come to see me before the op so they know I’ll be a shaking, panicked wreck and they’ve always been lovely and kind. If you don’t tell them they can’t support you, they won’t think you’re silly. Good luck ❤️

Thinking of you today @Daisythecat15 .Doubt you'll be on your phone checking MN though .

And also today

My surgery is actually later on today @rileynexttime. I appreciate your well wishes though!

I'm very scared this morning. I tossed and turned most of the night and feel like I'm on the verge of tears at all times. Can't actually believe someone is going to cut me open later. I feel so sick.

Just keep telling myself that if the old ladies at my pre op yesterday can have hip replacements, then I can get through this surgery at 32!

You will feel so much better after the surgery. Stay strong and look forward to being well x

2 hours til I have to leave for the hospital. Today has been the slowest day of my life. Never again will I accept a 5:30pm surgery slot!!! I'm having the op done privately and this surgeon does evening slots for her private patients. Next time I want 7am! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Good luck, thinking of you. It will soon be over. There's nothing to worry about.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

We don't premed adults outside of cardiac and severe learning disabilities.

Op is there something specific bothering you that I can explain better and help?

Modern anaesthetics are incredibly safe. Elective surgery death on the table is so so so rare. I've had 2 arrests in around 5k Anaesthetics I've done, both survived and totally fine after

No other time in your life outside of icu will you be better monitored.

I was totally petrified when I had my first anaesthetic at age 18 it was totally fine. Weird as there's just a total blank of time passing and it was over but totally fine

Honestly I don't really know what's scaring me. I think it's just the unknown. I know things like death from anaesthesia, or waking up during surgery are both very very rare. I suppose it's just the whole thing - how vulnerable you are, how you are entrusting your life to (albeit very skilled) strangers. That those strangers are going to cut me open and handle my insides. It just feels so bizarre to think about!

I have an anxiety disorder and am a very anxious person at the best of times so I suppose it's expected that I'm so scared of this.

What's the actual surgery?

Sometimes we do a spinal anaesthetic or an epidural as well as the GA to reduce post operative pain. Sometimes (bowel ops) will have wound catheters (little plastic tubes that drip local into the wound to minimise pain).

Depends on where you are on the list as to when you'll get up but normally day 0 is rest then up on day1

You're v likely to have a catheter, bowels slow down from the surgeon but if you need to go just buzz your bell

Honestly we don't even notice pad changes/cleaning up/vomiting etc it happens with most patients it's so so routine please don't worry about it

The shoulder pain is cos the carbon dioxide drifts upwards and presses on the diaphragm ...which is supplied by the same nerves as the shoulders hence the pain is felt in the shoulders

(This won't affect the op as they're having open not keyhole surgery though

That's totally normal, we are v used to people being petrified and it's part of our role to calm them down, let them know and they talk you through everything.

Once you go down we put on all the monitoring (bp ecg and sats probe) small little drip in the hand, oxygen to breathe before you go to sleep (you can hold the mask just ask), the anaesthetic can make you a bit light headed/spacey bit like being drunk. Then the one that makes you sleep is cold, can make your arm ache a little (we call it cows milk to the children as its white and cold 😀) then next thing you'll know we will be asking you to open your eyes and it will all be over

Hope you got on OP? It’s my turn tomorrow.

Hi everyone! Thought I'd do a quick update. Surgery is all done. It was absolutely fine. The waiting was by FAR the worst part. They were able to remove the cyst without removing my ovary. I've got a morphine pump for pain which is lovely but to be honest pain is pretty low so I've not needed to use it much. Probably a 2-3 out of 10, feels like period pain. Worst part was waking up feeling like I was desperate for a wee because of the catheter but that has gone off now, they're leaving the catheter in overnight.

I don't remember anything about receiving the anaesthetic. I was told I'd start to feel lightheaded, although what I felt was like my body was suddenly really heavy. Then I felt a little ache in my arm as the anaesthetic went in. Then I was waking up!

@PatchworkElmer you're going to be absolutely fine xx

@Daisythecat15 so glad you’re ok and not too uncomfortable now! Must be a huge relief that it’s over.

I’ve felt quite calm all week but am suddenly nervy tonight. I’m not good in ‘intense’ medical scenarios and cannulas are a big ‘trigger’ for me. I’m hoping that they just get me under quickly (and back quickly!!)

So glad you’re ok

They put the cannula in at the last minute for me. Probably 2 mins before I was put under. Barely felt it, was just a little scratch on my hand. It's still in my hand now, for my drip and for my morphine. But it doesn't hurt and isn't bothering me at all.

Trust me, I was an absolute wreck. Have never been so panicked in my life. Walking down to theatre I thought I was going to faint, my arms and legs went numb and I couldn't speak. I have a severe anxiety disorder, so if I can do it you definitely can!!

Ask me any questions if you want to x

@Daisythecat15 ah that’s reassuring thank you! My last experience of being cannulated was awful but I was severely dehydrated so hopefully it’ll be fine this time around. Honestly (I know this sounds ridiculous) but I’m worried about not being aware of what’s happening to my body and also the potential (however small) that it might leave DC without their Mum 🙈

I’m going to get up for a very early bike ride to take the edge of the nerves off 🤞🤞

Good luck today I'll be thinking of you! You're going to be fine. I haven't needed my morphine pump at all, I used it 3 times straight after surgery but not needed since. Very little pain to be honest! I'm surprised by how little it hurts and how easily I am able to shift myself around in bed. I have to have 10 days of blood thinning injections and honestly the injection hurt more than the incision site! (although only for a couple of minutes)

Update me after if you can? 💐💐💐

@Daisythecat15 thank you. Been for my bike ride and had the mandated light breakfast! I’ll update here as soon as I can 😊

Great news @Daisythecat15 ,well done!!
Sending hugs @PatchworkElmer - you can't go under it ,you can't go round it ,you have to go through it .
You'll make it I promise ,the staff will help you and be lovely .
As OP has said ,the waiting is the worst bit .
This time tomorrow you'll be out the other side .

Thought you all might like to hear this disgusting update from my surgeon - my cyst burst after she removed it, and inside was a huge clump of hair and 2 TEETH! I can't believe I had that in my abdomen. How revolting 😂

@PatchworkElmer thinking of you. Not sure if you've had your op yet but I hope it goes/has gone well x