To be so fearful of my upcoming surgery..

[TheChasers]

I have planned surgery in a couple of weeks time and I am terrified. I’ve spent most of this weekend sneaking off to the bathroom to have a cry, I was walking around the supermarket before and and felt like I was going to start again.

I’ve never had surgery and my main fear is not waking up. I haven’t a clue what to expect but can imagine myself panicking as being taking into theatre. I’ll be in HDU afterwards and expected inpatient stay is around 4 days. I kmow I need the surgery but I can’t get passed this fear and right now I can’t see myself going ahead with it

I had surgery a couple of years ago, my first since childhood, I had the same fears.
No amount of other people telling me helped to be honest, I just cried to the anaesthetist to bring me back around for my babies and he said he'd not lost any one yet which helped. Turned out the sleep was the best I'd had in ages. Recovery from the surgery was worth more of my thoughts tbh 🤣

Just think that if your worst fear came true, which is highly unlikely anyway, you wouldn't know about it anyway because you hadn't woken up. What are the downsides to your life if you don't go ahead with it?

I felt like this before I had surgery a few years ago. I hadn’t realised how staggeringly rare it is for people (who are otherwise healthy/it’s not an emergency situation) to have issues, especially with the anaesthesia.

They will give you a relaxing pre med so you should be quite chilled out when you get to the theatre, and in my experience the anaesthetist will chat to you and put you at ease. It's understandable to feel anxious, but try to plan something nice for when you get home.

I have had a number of surgeries, I was also afraid as I had a aweful experience as a child with a general anaesthetic. The hospital we’re grate, explained things had moved on, that I wouldn’t know a thing, and they were right

you get taken in, given a sedative, next thing you know you are being woken by nurses calling your name.

speak to the hospital ask to speak to the anaesthetist to put your mind at rest. Think of something nice if you want as you go under, but really you won’t know anything until you wake up again

and don’t think about it when they go through the risk, it’s highly highly unlikely they will happen they just have to tell you the risks

A General Anaesthetic is like the best nap ever. And you will not be in pain when you wake up. You will feel relaxed and dozy. You really do not notice the passage of time.

Ask the surgeon how you will know the surgery is over. The first GA I had as an adult was for oral surgery. The surgeon told me that he would put cotton pads in my mouth, and I would know that the surgery was over because I would feel the strings from the pads resting on my cheeks. That is exactly what happened. I woke up woozy and disorientated, and before I could wonder why the anaesthetist has stopped putting me under I noticed that I could feel the strings on my cheeks. “Oh, it’s over!” I thought to myself, and fell comfortably asleep again.

Since then I always ask how I will know the procedure is over. It’s really reassuring, sort of anchoring.

Talk to the HCPs at the hospital. They are used to frightened patients and will not judge you. The staff are experienced, gentle and caring.

Sounds like really vital surgery. Think how amazing it will be when this is all over and done with. I had major surgery (with a post op period like yours). The surgeon could tell I was so nervous he did me first, thought I might be a runner. He was right! 🤣🤣

It’s normal to feel worried if you haven’t had a surgery before. I think once you are in hospital you will find it’s alright - especially if you let them know you are scared so they can take extra care of you. To them your surgery is part of their everyday routine and they are skilled professionals who know what they are doing. Most nurses are kind and lovely and anaesthetists always seem to be especially cheery and competent - part of the job I suppose. I am always much more nervous about surgeries under local anaesthetic!

Thank you everyone. I do really need the surgery it will change my life and I’ve spoken to the surgeon who has also reassured me and said I can be first on the list. I just want it over with now

Planned surgery is actually extremely safe. You're actually probably safer in a theatre then you are anywhere else. Where else in life are you continually watched and monitored . Also when you are there tell them you are scared they will help you. I've had more surgeries then I can count and yes its scary but when you're actually there the staff are so good at making you feel safe and calm. You will honestly be fine x

Anesthetists are honestly the best I've never had a bad one they are so chill just cracking jokes while holding your hand. They are my favourite kind of dr ❤️

ive gone from never having a surgery to have a lot in the last year or so and I was so so nervous for my first few. To echo others anaesthetists are always ridiculously nice, I’ve yet to meet a bad one, let them know you’re nervous and they will reassure you, mine have been really good at explaining everything and it really helped put my mind at ease.

I've had lots of surgery. The anaesthetists are always reassuring. A hospital operating theatre is s very safe place. Think about all the life saving equipment it has! It is normal to be scared though and my first thought when I come round is always Oh good I'm alive!

I panic every time just before the anaesthetic, they’re always lovely. The last time they distracted me by asking loads of questions, then I woke up!

Until a few years ago I was like you, absolutely scared shitless of general anaesthetic, to the point that when I broke my hand and needed it screwing back together I talking them into giving me a nerve block and just numbing my arm and doing it while I was wide awake. It was pretty cool because I got to see the inside of my hand, but a bit mad really. Then I needed emergency gallbladder removal and the surgeon just looked at me like I was insane when I suggested waking surgery and said no. Turns out I love general anaesthetic, it was bloody brilliant. I counted backwards from 5 but only made it to 3 then I woke up. The intervening period between closing my eyes and waking up felt like it hadn’t happened at all like no time had passed, but I felt completely refreshed like I’d had the best nights sleep ever.

I was exactly the same as you, except I managed to bury my head in the sand for the majority of the time leading up to the day of the surgery. The day of the surgery came and I was so nervous I felt sick. Signed the paperwork, nodded along to the consultant but told my husband I didn’t want the surgery, didn’t think I was going to wake up and was physically shaking with fear. Not just little shakes either. I remember it only took a couple of seconds to fall asleep and then I woke up smiling! Everything was bright and I was SO happy. Lots of lovely warm towels, feeling toasty, smiling nurses. I felt great! I think I was high… but I felt great. And I wouldn’t be so scared next time…

I used to be terrified. My husband now works in operating theatres, I now have no fear because I know the training he went through and continues to have to keep up and I know that thousands of people go under and wake up every day. Please know you are in safe hands.

Just to update, I had the op!

thank you to everyone who commented on this thread. The anaesthetist was amazing, she was so calm and reassuring and that really helped me. If I ever have to have a general in the future, I won’t be afraid at all.

now for the long recovery…

I'm glad all went well, good luck with your recovery!

That’s great to hear! Hope your recovery goes well!