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Original poster

Terrified of surgery, but I need it

38 replies

StrictlyNumber1Fan · 27/10/2024 19:31

I'll be having surgery within the next 6 months, for something that is not life threatening but will give me a much better quality of life.

It will be a long recovered and painful in the days/weeks after. I'm not bothered about the pain but I am terrified of being out to sleep and not waking up. I can't imagine going into theatre and allowing them to put me to sleep. Even the thought of it and typing this is making me panic but I need the surgery and I'm excited about how it will improve my quality of life.

When others say they were the same, I can't imagine anyone being as scared as me, I am petrified. Has anyone else felt like this and actually gone through with the surgery and what helped.

OP posts:
Covidwoes · 27/10/2024 19:36

Hi OP, the first time I found out I needed a GA (I've had 3 now) I cried my eyes out, as I was worried about dying on the table! The surgeon said that's a really common fear if you haven't had a GA before. Is this your first time?
Speaking to the surgeon/anaesthetist beforehand can be hugely helpful. Is this an option?
GA is actually not nearly as scary as it seems. Once you're under, the next thing you know, you're waking up in recovery. I always get emotional the day after a GA, probably due to being tired, the strength of the drugs etc, but honestly that's completely normal.

Original poster
StrictlyNumber1Fan · 27/10/2024 19:38

Hi @Covidwoes
Thank you for replying. Surgeon is so lovely and explained everything and understands my worry, I just feel really silly because I know it's going to help me massively and I'm so lucky to have such an experienced surgeon doing my surgery.
It will be my first time having GA and I think that's why I'm so worried

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 27/10/2024 19:41

Would it help for me to explain exactly what happened when I had surgery recently?

Greybeardy · 27/10/2024 19:45

does it have to be a GA? Lots of things can be done with spinal/regional anaesthetics - might be an option if it's specifically a GA you're worried about (although GA is always the back-up plan even with local anaesthetic techniques).

Covidwoes · 27/10/2024 19:45

Bless you, honestly I was the same. My first surgery was an emergency, so in a way that was better as I didn't have too long to think about it! You'll be lying on the table, and honestly before you know it you'll be waking up in recovery. When I had my second and third GAs, I wasn't as worried as I knew I had managed to get through the first one. Would a mild sedative beforehand be an option? I know some hospitals offer this. May be worth enquiring about?

2024onwardsandup · 27/10/2024 19:46

Honestly it’s a total anti climax because you wake up and realise you slept through the whole
thibg!

I know that sounds ridiculous because you know - but I was freaked out and then it was over and done and all fine!

Bestyearever2024 · 27/10/2024 19:47

2024onwardsandup · 27/10/2024 19:46

Honestly it’s a total anti climax because you wake up and realise you slept through the whole
thibg!

I know that sounds ridiculous because you know - but I was freaked out and then it was over and done and all fine!

Same

I was terrified and it was nothing. Less than nothing!

🥰🥰

Icanthinkformyselfthanks · 27/10/2024 19:51

@StrictlyNumber1Fan , yes I do understand. I’ve had a few operations now and I’m never happy about the GA. For me anyway they’ve taken me into a room where I lay on a bed and there are usually a few people buzzing around. They’ve always seemed really friendly. I’ve always told them I’m scared and they just carry on with what they’re doing but reassure me that I’m going to be fine. Before I’ve got into this room someone has put a line in and at some point in this conversation they administer the anaesthetic and then the next thing I know I hear somebody gently calling my name and I’m in recovery. I’ve never died or been at all aware of anything. I know it’s no good telling you you’ll be fine but you will. I hope your recovery goes well and your life is improved. X

YourFunMember · 27/10/2024 19:53

I promise you’re not alone. I’ve had 4 GA now and I’m scared every time! But no where as near as much as the first time when I thought I wouldn’t wake up. GA deaths are extremely, extremely rare these days.

Itdoesntendwellatall · 27/10/2024 20:03

I'm in a similar boat, OP.

Slightly different to you and I don't want to give you anything else to worry about (pretty sure I won't as my worry is the most stupid worry about surgery ever), but I'm terrified of being operated on by men. (Told you it was stupid.)

Is the root of your fear that of being out of control?

wizzler · 27/10/2024 20:15

I'm recovering from an op a fortnight ago. The anaesthetist came to seem me beforehand and explained what would happen and answered my questions. When I went for the op everyone was kind and chatty and then I woke up and it was all done. I don't recall even feeling sleepy iyswim.

I'm sure you've had a long journey to get to the stage where you are having the operation. Try to focus on this being the first step on your road to better health .

Cynic17 · 27/10/2024 20:18

Having a GA was absolutely one of the best days of my life. Not just because I desperately wanted the op to be done, but just because the GA felt so fantastic. Like the best sleep I ever had in my life. I honestly don't understand what there is to be scared of. (And even if something did go wrong, you wouldn't know anything about it, so it would be the perfect way to die). It's a guaranteed good result.

TheBelleOfBelfastCity · 27/10/2024 20:20

I was terrified before my first GA - it was major surgery and I had no idea what to expect. The fact that I have now had 2 further operations with absolutely 0 fear is testament to how the staff made the whole experience as pleasant + comfortable as possible for me. I look forward to going under GA now!

You’ll go down to theatre, get monitoring like ECG leads, blood pressure cuff etc attached before they pop a cannula in (anaesthetists are so good at them that you’ll barely feel a thing). Then they’ll give you a bit of oxygen to breathe whilst giving you the first drug which just generally chills you out and makes you feel a bit floaty, I’ve had an anaesthetist describe it as a few G&Ts which is very accurate. They’ll start drifting you off to sleep and the next thing you know you’ll be waking up in recovery. Honestly, it’s that easy. Nothing to be afraid of!

TheFormidableMrsC · 27/10/2024 20:23

I'd never had surgery before I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 days before the first lockdown. I had those 3 days to prepare for surgery and I was utterly terror struck. I'm a lone parent and my son had only just turned 8 and I was so overwhelmed with fear. Then I had a much much longer wait to be taken down than anticipated. Everyone was so kind and reassuring. I needn't have worried at all. When I was brought round the relief was immense, not just that I was still here but that my cancer was gone. I was also starving! I was home a few hours later. I hope this is reassuring for you. Have the surgery, you won't regret it. Also make sure you relay your fears so that they can reassure you. Good luck Flowers

saveforthat · 27/10/2024 20:31

I'm in my 60s and had my first GA a couple of years ago. I was absolutely terrified. All of the theatre staff were so lovely. You just go to sleep and wake up when it's all over and get tea and biscuits.

blindasaba51981 · 27/10/2024 20:34

I've had a few GA my last was a year ago. I was taken down, into a room where there were a few people doing various things. They put a cánula into my hand which I barely felt, gave me some oxygen and said you're going to feel drunk, as I was about to reply, then next thing I knew I was awake in recovery. Honestly you have nothing to worry about x

TheDogsMother · 27/10/2024 20:36

It can be a really scary prospect and I was facing this in January. The hospital porter was so sweet chatting away to me to distract me and the medical team were cheery and positive. I barely counted down to seven and the next thing I was waking up in recovery. It is like the most fabulous deep sleep and I had no side effects.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 27/10/2024 20:42

I had to have an 8 hour operation, and I was completely terrified. I couldn't even tell anyone I was terrified that I wouldn't wake up because it felt like if I said it out loud then it would happen.

I delt with it by avoiding thinking about it. I literally only thought about the very next thing I had to do. Pack a bag, then thought about setting an alarm, then go to sleep, then get up, blah blah, then on the morning of I thought only about the very next tiny thing - walk into the hospital, sit down, get into a gown, sit down, walk to theatre, take shoes off, sit on bed, lie down. That was the point where the next thing was 'have surgery' and I couldn't not think about it any more. So I cried. A lot. While the lovely anaesthetist held my hand and told me 'cry if you need to, it's good for you' and then she gave me the pre op, put a mask on me and that was it. I blinked and it was over.

redtrain123 · 27/10/2024 20:43

The worst bit for me is not being able to eat beforehand! And I always seem to be last on the list.

FumingTRex · 27/10/2024 20:45

Yes Im like this but it helped me to learn that the risk of a GA is about the same as the risk of driving to the hospital. Once you have decided to do it try not to revisit the decision, distract yourself and use mindfulness so you arent working yourself up.

maverickfox · 27/10/2024 22:13

GAs are wonderful. You really don’t have any time to be worried as you are under very quickly and the next thing you know you are being woken up with a nurse by your side. Modern anaesthetics are generally very safe.

Aparecium · 28/10/2024 07:13

You will see the surgeon again before you have the operation. Ask them how you will know the operation is over.

My first GA was for oral surgery. The surgeon told me that at the end he would put swabs in my cheeks to absorb blood. I would not feel the swabs, but I would feel the removal strings hanging on my cheeks. If I felt these strings then, no matter what else was going on, I would know that the operation was over and that I was waking up from the anaesthetic.

And this was exactly what happened. I felt the strings and knew I was awake and it was all over.

Since then, each time I've had a GA I've had a similar experience. I wake up very woozy, recognise the thing about my body that the surgeon has told me will show the surgery is over, and then snuggle down for a cosy nap. I don't know whether I actually 'snuggle down', but that's what it feels like: reassuringly cosy.

Have you considered hypnosis to help you get comfortable with the idea of GA? I have found it very helpful for situations when anxiety or fear are getting in the way.

Good luck with the surgery 🙂

TouchOfSilverShampoo · 28/10/2024 07:18

If it helps Op, I was just like you and I was terrified I was never going to wake up. It goes against all your natural instincts to be PUT to sleep.

I've had two surgeries under GA this year and honestly I'm up for any excuse for another one.

I love it. It's like the world's best nap.

TranscendentalMedication · 28/10/2024 07:23

These replies are great! Haven't had a GA since I was a child but I'm torn now between being scared of needing one and wanting to experience the best sleep ever!?

Cattyisbatty · 28/10/2024 07:38

I’ve had 3 GAs as an adult and all been fine . The theatre staff are really friendly and put you at your ease. Then after you wake up in recovery and it’s all done and you’re on some nice painkillers.
GA is so much safer and lighter now than years ago. I had one as a child for a minor procedure and I had to have another night in hospital just so I could ‘get over’ the anaesthetic and be able to walk. Compared to being discharged a few hours later after my adult ops - obviously it depends on why you’re having a GA but all mine were day surgery cases so once the anaesthetic wore off and I did a wee/could walk (one was on my knee) I was discharged.