I’m so scared for my surgery I want to cancel

[Hensmummy]

Hi
I have surgery in 2 days, it’s not major surgery but they are removing a branchial cleft cyst from my neck which is located next to lots of important nerves, like my shoulder, mouth, tongue.

The thought of them cutting me open and being close to my nerves is making me shake just thinking about it. I know people are going through much worse with their health and I’m sorry if I’m offending anyone.

The thing is I know I will have to wait around in hospital for a while before the surgery, and I’m wondering do you think they would give me some drugs to calm my nerves?

One moment I think just go with the flow but when I’m at the hospital I won’t be able to control my anxiety. And due to covid I can’t take anyone with me.

Ahhh any tips on how to stay calm?

Thank you so much

Ask for a shot of lorazepam. They should be okay with that if you explain. Good luck!

My daughter had hers removed when she was 4. I'm guessing they'll put you out for it, correct?

If it's any consolation, my dd didn't cry once. She was in hospital for 1 night.

Try to rest assured the doctors know what they're doing. It's honestly the best option to have it removed especially as we were told that it could become cancerous if we left it. Good luck, OP

Oh look, I have sympathy. I have major surgery coming, no date yet, and I'm mega ambivalent about it. It will definitely be a case of grit my teeth and force myself to do it. And I'm not especially anxious. In some ways surgery is against "normal" evolutionary urges to avoid massive pain and trauma to the body - your response makes total sense in this context.

The Lorazepam option above is a good one. Probably the best idea if you aren't going to be able to manage the build up. If you find you can't push yourself through it, then you could look into CBT which is perfect for this sort of thing. But that's not going to happen fast enough this time round. Good luck!

I'm in a very similar situation, very minor (way more minor than yours if that helps!) procedure but has to be done under general anaesthetic. I'm having mine this week. Not being able to have dh with me is very unnerving (I have done it before but for some reason this time it is stressing the hell out of me).

I'm trying to focus on some nice treats for when I'm recovering. Bought myself a new dressing gown and planning to spend a whole day in my PJs the day afterwards. Also got a few little craft projects planned (I have to self-isolate for a few days beforehand) and I'm going to download a couple of good films to watch too,

If you have the Calm app or something similar, a guided meditation/relaxation can be nice (you can do really short ones, doesn't have to be hours of being a zen master). Also walking or any other exercise is one of the very best forms of countering stress available. If you think your anxious thoughts might intrude, try listening to an audio book while you do it or a podcast (Fortunately is a good one).

Hope some of that helps and good luck with the op, remember that although it (understandably) seems big and scary to you, for the medics it's just as routine as creating an invoice or attending a meeting might be for someone in a different job!

Thanks everyone for your comments. I will ask about the Lorazepam! And those are some really good tips :)

Thank you x

And good look with both of your surgery’s too! Hope you make quick recoveries x

Speak to the anaesthetist tell them you’re very anxious and often they will prescribe a pre med to relax you. One of our paeds anaesthetists was great with kids and the kids who were very anxious got some meds to calm them prior to induction. I hope all goes well op, I have had mouth/neck surgery before def had a pre med felt all fuzzy and sleepy. But know how scary it can be. I’m sure you’ll be fine take care

Hi, i know this is an old thread, but i am due to have a branchial cleft cyst removed from my neck next month. I just wondered id you would mind sharing your experience. I am also pretty nervous about the op x

@MrsBBx Sorry I have just seen your message.
I hope your surgery went well, for any future people who may read this, my surgery went very smoothly, no complications, no pain. Quick recovery. Xx