Please help reassure me re operation

[scaredofhospital]

I'm going into hospital tomorrow morning for a laparoscopy for endometriosis (suspected). I'm an anxious wreck and just keep feeling terrified of being put under a general. Please can someone reassure me that it's safe and that I'll be ok? 😫

I’ve worked in theatres 8yrs - haven’t seen anyone not wake up from elective surgeries. The worst bit will be the shoulder pain from the gas they pump into your abdomen. I was at the cinema about 4 days after my diagnostic laparoscopy for endometriosis.

It's probably the safest you'll be in your life. Every bodily function is monitored and you are experts looking after you. ☺️☺️☺️

I've had GA at least 10 times in my life. Trust me, you won't know anything about it. It's not even like going to sleep (you can feel yourself drifting into sleep). It's so instant It's like turning off a light.

You'll be absolutely fine, you'll see.

Try to remember that none of the staff who will be assisting/ putting you under/ operating will be worried. If they're not worried you don't need to be :) You are in good hands and if you tell them tomorrow you are nervous they'll be able to reassure you.

Thank you both.
They've told me my blood pressure is on the lower aide (90/55 sort of region) and my resting pulse is 40-50. They've said these are particularly low readings (I'm not massively athletic - I do keep fit but definitely not to an athletic standard!). Do you think these things will make it higher risk for me to be under a general? 😟

OP you will be fine. If you are very concerned ask them to make sure it is gentle. Quite often you can have something to take the edge off before you go to the anaesthetic room.

It happens so fast you won't know about it.

I've had 4 of them. First time I was terrified. Other 3 times I was nervous but fine. Trust the medics and if too scared ask for a little magic pill before hand. Good luck!

Sorry should have said thank you all not both 😂 (there were only 2 post when I posted mine)!

What's the little magic pill? I'm intrigued. Does it relax you?

@scaredofhospital thats the same blood pressure as me. I've literally had three ops in two years and no issues. I had a two hour surgery in the summer and they didn't even make me wear stockings, just the inflatable boots for a couple of hours afterwards to help my blood pressure.

A sedative.

You will be fine, the anaesthetist will be making sure that you are safe.
Afterwards, rest as much as you can, and drink water to keep yourself well hydrated, so that you recover as quickly as possible.

Personally I'd rather feel the anxiety rather that be sedated. But each to their own.

That's reassuring! Thank you. They've just kept saying how low it is, which has added to my anxiety. The nurse actually said to me "I'm surprised you're not fainting with that blood pressure", so that obviously escalated my already anxious mind 🤦🏼‍♀️

Goodness, ignore her! I always get similar comments.

You can help yourself by being really hydrated the day before. I was told a glass of water every hour.

Thanks.
Does anyone know if I'll have to have a catheter in?

I had a GA 13 years ago, and still have very fond memories of it as the best sleep of my life! What's not to like? You fall asleep very quickly and wake up when someone else has done all the hard work. Bliss.

Not unless they are working on your bladder.

I had prolapse surgery and there was no catheter.

We can try to reassure you, but honestly, it won’t stop you freaking out. I’ve been put under general 7 or 8 times (I forget how often now 🤣) and 3 of them were for laparoscopic procedures, two of them gynae (also had a gynae laparotomy but that was a WHOLE different recovery)
and honestly, I’ve been fine every single time. I’ve freaked out beforehand every time too mind you, literally bawling my eyes out in the anaesthetic room when they’re about to put me under-but the surgical nurses are amazing. They’re so lovely and reassuring, will literally hold your hand through the whole thing until you’re under.
You will be fine, but you will also freak out. Don’t worry, your team will take THE very best care of you. I haven’t met one member of a surgical team who wasn’t incredible

Depends if you’re able to be mobilised after surgery. I had a unilateral oophorectomy and was catheterised, also had spinal surgery and was catheterised. But never after a laparoscopic procedure-not even after laparoscopic hip op and nerve block. Legs were numb for 24 hours after and I had to be lifted onto a bed pan while lying in bed 🤣🤣

Oh yes, if you do freak out and you start to cry before you go under, chances are you will wake up crying too. I always do. But that's totally normal. I also have chattering teeth as you get quite cold in theatre. Also normal.

I personally struggle to eat for a week or so afterwards - but most people I know can eat the afternoon after surgery (god knows how! ). I feel sick for days after. But I think I am an exception. I have always had private GA and the catering people always come to take an order for your food for later, I've learnt to not even bother ordering anything.

Then, the nurses are like drug dealers trying to push food on me for hours afterwards. In the end, last time I pretended to eat something so they'd give up.

But, the GA is so so safe and honestly no one wants anything bad to happen as they all want to crack on and do their job and get paid!

I've had the procedure, I've been feeling very drowsy and also dizzy on standing, feel like I will faint when I stand and try to walk. I've had cup of tea and biscuits but just feel so strange and unsteady when I walked to the toilet. Is this normal? I've been hours but still not right to be able to walk out of the hospital. I just want to go
Home. They've advised me to lie back down and more fluidsetc. Anyone else had this?

When I stand or move it's like the sensation of falling, I feel almost drunk? I had my surgery at 9am, surely this should have passed by now? I've also had morphine.

Totally normal, stop fretting! Relax. They'll tell you when you are fit to go home.

You've got Internet - look up Recovery from General Anaesthetic.