To ask for a hand hold and probably a head wobble while I wait for surgery alone

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My own fault didn’t look like it would happen today for various reasons except it is now!
hudband sorting kids, immediate family know but no one else except my best friend.
everyone else is here with someone in waiting room. I feel scared sick- literally want to throw up, I’m not mentally prepared to do this today as it seemed so unlikely but now it’s happening:(
nb trying to be grateful as know many surgeries get cancelled it’s just a lot

You poor thing. Could your best friend step in at all?

The good news is that all you have to do is sit there and things will happen around you. It's all scary and overwhelming but nothing is required of you other than to just be. Do tell the nurse you're feeling scared - they'll be used to that and hopefully provide some support.

Should this surgery put an end to an issue you've been having?

Handhold. I had mine alone about 3 weeks ago. Husband dropped kids at nursery and then worked from home. Mine was my first time having a general anaesthetic - best sleep ever!

Is it planned surgery? What's the recovery like?

I've only had a couple of operations OP and both times I've been alone. And both times the staff have been brilliant - couldn't have been kinder. I do hope that's what you are experiencing.
I was terrified too but here I am telling the tale and I have no doubt it will be the same for you.
All best wishes to you OP.

Here’s a hand-hold. The prospect of surgery is a bit daunting, especially if there’s an element of surprise (my broken ankle surgery happened more quickly than expected so I felt similarly grateful and not-quite-ready). Obviously you will feel better once this is all behind you and that’s what I focused on. Wishing you the smoothest and swiftest of recoveries.

Hopefully you are well-supported for convalescing. I enjoyed not feeling guilty about just sitting and binge-watching my favourite shows etc…

You'll be fine - i've had a surgery and a scope under sedation where I arrived by myself, but had to have someone pick me up, because of the anesthetic.

You'll hopefully be in the waiting area for just a short time, then your companion would need to leave you anyway as you're brought into prep.

My top tip is make sure you get decent painkillers afterwards! And as pps said, take it easy afterwards, keep on top of any physio, but do rest.

Take deep breaths, try to keep calm and focus on the fact that this time tomorrow it will be done. I fully understand how you feel, it is daunting. You can do this. 🤗💐

Huge hugs from me, I was also alone because they took me into surgery first thing and DH hadn’t arrived … he got there and found my bed gone and asked the nurse if I’d DIED!! 😵‍💫🤪 … she told him eeeerrrrr no, she’s in surgery … I was petrified but thankfully fell asleep on the pre-med, I was panicking and think the anaesthetist gave me a big shot lol!
Good luck and I’m sure your op will go great - enjoy the sleep 💤

I drove myself to hospital, had operation and drove home afterwards.

Was not meant to drive afterwards,but told nurse was going to get a taxi,

It's not nice being alone but like someone else said,just let it all happen round you .
The staff are usually very nice and you can tell them you're nervous .

That's completely and utterly stupid, your insurance is invalid and you could kill someone, hence why I refused to anaesthetise a man until saw his relative after declaring his plan

Op
https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/patients/patient-information-resources/preparing-your-mind-surgery these are fab podcasts by the rcoa xx