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Original poster

Scared of surgery.

41 replies

Cole33 · 22/11/2021 21:04

Can anyone offer any advice? I have to have a hysterectomy and a diagnostic laparoscopy for endometriosis. I have around 6 months to wait and I'm absolutely terrified. I'm emetophobic so I'm scared of waking up feeling sick or actually being sick. I'm also scared of going under GA.
Can anyone offer any words of comfort? Did you get sick when you woke up? What is it like going under GA?

OP posts:
Einszwei · 22/11/2021 21:22

I do not get any nausea with GA, but you could always ask if you could be given an antiemetic.

Going under GA is like falling asleep very quickly, no dreaming, and no sense of time passing. It feels as though you wake up straight away.

Original poster
Cole33 · 22/11/2021 21:27

I've had palpitations over it and I've still got 6 months to wait. My friend said it's like you blink and your awake in another room. The thought of it is scary!I'm such a massive wimp!

OP posts:
daisypond · 22/11/2021 21:30

I’ve had a few. The first time I was sick afterwards in the recovery ward. The other times, the anaesthetists added anti-sickness drugs, so that was fine. The last thing about the operations I remember is them putting an oxygen mask on me and them saying to breathe deeply. Then you wake up later in the ward. That’s it.

Original poster
Cole33 · 22/11/2021 21:31

Do you think I'll be allowed to ask for antiemetics?

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LikeTheFruit · 22/11/2021 21:36

I'm a consultant anaesthetist. These worries are so so normal amongst our patients so please make sure you talk about them when you meet your anaesthetist. I always give an antiemetic to all my patients (usually 2, sometimes 3) depending on their history/type of surgery etc.
If I have someone who has had problems with post op nausea and vomiting (PONV) I'll use total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) where we use infusions of anaesthetic agents rather than gases. Much much less likely to feel or be sick so this is something you could ask for.

So sorry you're feeling so anxious already

mineofuselessinformation · 22/11/2021 21:36

When you see the anaesthetist, tell them your worries. FWIW, I've had upwards of 20 procedures under GA and have never vomited.
What your friend said is quite accurate. One minute you're going under (doing the counting thing), and the next, you're waking up. It will be fine. Thanks

Original poster
Cole33 · 22/11/2021 21:43

@LikeTheFruit

I'm a consultant anaesthetist. These worries are so so normal amongst our patients so please make sure you talk about them when you meet your anaesthetist. I always give an antiemetic to all my patients (usually 2, sometimes 3) depending on their history/type of surgery etc. If I have someone who has had problems with post op nausea and vomiting (PONV) I'll use total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) where we use infusions of anaesthetic agents rather than gases. Much much less likely to feel or be sick so this is something you could ask for.

So sorry you're feeling so anxious already

Thank you so much for this, this was really helpful.

I've only ever had one surgery before. I had a d&c after a miscarriage but that was in 2007 and I honestly can't remember any of it. I do remember waking up crying and I didn't know why but that's all I remember.

Would I be allowed to ask for an antiemetic?

OP posts:
Original poster
Cole33 · 22/11/2021 21:44

I think I may have read too many horror stories on Google! I've read GA can make you cough when going under, feels like your throat is closing? Etc.

OP posts:
Iamkmackered1979 · 22/11/2021 21:48

Speak to the staff, you should have a pre op. Then when you’re admitted the anaesthetist should come to see you and you can explain your fears and they may be able to help you.
It’s a big thing op, I hope all goes well and you’re feeling better about things soon

nocoolnamesleft · 22/11/2021 21:49

People don't tend to bother posting "I had a GA, and it was really uneventful" because it isn't scary interesting. I've had several GAs, and they were really uneventful. And the anaesthetist made damn sure that when I woke up I was pain free and not nauseated.

Original poster
Cole33 · 22/11/2021 21:50

Thank you so much. I'm just such an anxious person when it comes to health. The sickness thing is just a massive massive irrational fear! 6 months wait unless they get a cancellation. Part of me is hoping to get a cancellation to get it over and done with.

OP posts:
daisypond · 22/11/2021 21:51

I honestly have never felt like coughing or that my throat was closing. The first time, due to nerves, I panicked a bit with the oxygen mask because I thought I couldn’t breathe- maybe a claustrophobic feeling? They just removed the mask for a bit.

LoveFall · 22/11/2021 21:53

I know just how you fell OP. I was almost petrified with fear before my first surgery. I was to take out most of my thyroid.

I literally almost ran away.

It does feel like you go to sleep fast and wake up right away.

I had no nausea or vomiting at all.

The same when I had my ovaries our last year. Not as scared, but no nausea at all.

You will be Ok.

Original poster
Cole33 · 22/11/2021 21:54

Thank you so much to everyone for your replies, you honestly don't know how helpful you all are!!

I've signed my consent forms just last week and was told I'd be waiting around 6 months unless they have a cancellation. I've just been told to wait for a letter so I'm unsure how long I'll actually be waiting.
All I'm 100% positive about is my consultant/surgeon is so kind and amazing. I've only ever heard the best stories about him so I know I know I'm in safe hands.

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Couchpotato3 · 22/11/2021 21:55

I've had three, one gas induction as a child, two intravenous. I had some very interesting dreams during the first one (still remember them now, nearly 50 years later!) but apart from that no issues at all. My family between us have had a dozen or more GAs and all absolutely fine. Just talk to your anaesthetist and of course you can ask for an anti-emetic (they are often given routinely anyway). Good luck!

LikeTheFruit · 22/11/2021 21:57

Oh course you can request an antiemetic. I'd be extremely surprised if you weren't told that you'll be getting one anyway though.
Also very common for lots of tears after a D&C. All the pent up emotion and adrenaline has to make its way out.

Original poster
Cole33 · 22/11/2021 21:57

I think I've just read too much into things. Alot of people have said that with an endo diagnostic lap they fill you with gas which makes you feel more nauseus and that the gas pains afterwards are quite bad?
Only heard good things about the hysterectomy though.

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Original poster
Cole33 · 22/11/2021 22:01

Another worry that's a bit daft is all these videos on YouTube of people waking up from GA saying random things.....what if I ask Mr pickersgill to marry me or tell a nurse something random lol. It's so weird the things that are actually worrying me.

OP posts:
NotMyCat · 22/11/2021 22:03

I can help Smile I was so scared I packed my bags and tried to leave...

Ask for a pre med and anti sickness (I asked if they could load me with as much as humanly possible)
The anaesthetist told me I would be the most monitored I would ever be in my life under anaesthetic and he had too much paperwork to do to let anything go wrong

I had midazolam just before the anaesthetic which felt like I had a bottle of gin but no sickness, just laughing Blush and then I woke up, that was it!
5hr operation and I was eating a giant meal an hour later, no sickness whatsoever

My dad was also scared as his last op was 60 years ago when they used gas. He came out of hospital marvelling about new inventions Grin and said how not scary it was

NotMyCat · 22/11/2021 22:04

Oh I woke up and asked for my glasses. They asked if I wanted them and I said no just checking I haven't lost them, then dozed off again!

Original poster
Cole33 · 22/11/2021 22:08

Lol notmycat I'm close to cancelling and living the rest of my life in pain!! I'm such a massive wimp!! My anxiety has been so high over it and I've got months to wait yet.

Your reply was actually really helpful and I'll 100% ask for anti emetics and something to keep me calm beforehand.

I guess its the unknown and the wait that is probably worst part. I just want it over and done with now. I'm at that point of "the longer the wait the more time I have to talk myself out of it".

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NotMyCat · 22/11/2021 22:11

Honestly it's fine and I'm so phobic that my dad says I used to turn purple stopping myself being sick even as a child
The only weird thing is the time passing because you go to sleep then wake up and I was "where did 5hrs go?!"
Peppermint capsules for gas pain, get some to take with you

saveforthat · 22/11/2021 22:15

Thanks for this thread op. I am having a lumpectomy next week and I have never had a GA before. I was terrified also but had the preop today and feel a bit calmer.

xsamix86 · 22/11/2021 22:16

I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy and removal of endometriosis in June. General anaesthetic always makes me sick so the anaesthetist gave me anti sickness meds to help. Honestly, one second I was talking to the lovely nurses the next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery. Its understandable to be scared, but once it is all over you will be glad it was done. I wish you a speedy operation and recovery x

thenightsky · 22/11/2021 22:22

@Cole33

I think I may have read too many horror stories on Google! I've read GA can make you cough when going under, feels like your throat is closing? Etc.
Never heard of that. I've had a few (orthopaedic and appendix). I now know that I have a lovely dream and wake up. You hear the nurse talking to you and holding your hand, the, PING! You are coming round, like a drunk person who fell asleep on the sofa.
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