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Original poster

First ever surgery on Monday and I'm absolutely terrified 😨

43 replies

BunnyBoo2 · 21/11/2025 12:12

I'm having a bowel resection on Monday due to Crohns and this is my very first surgery. I have such a fear of the GA and have been doing my best to avoid having this op for years.

I can't believe it's so close now. I had a major wobble last weekend and I was close to cancelling it. I just want to get it done but I can't shake this fear that I won't wake up 😔

I spoke to an anaesthetist at my pre op who was lovely and it was reassuring to some extent. I can't imagine what kind of emotional nervous wreck I'm going to be on Monday though.

Anybody feel the same before an op and how did you cope with it?

OP posts:
NotQuiteUsual · 21/11/2025 12:20

I had very minor surgery a few years ago and was petrified. I cried walking down to surgery and trembled the whole time before I fell asleep. Then I just woke up and it was all done. It was such an anti climax.

You need to be very kind to yourself and try keep yourself distracted. I found sudoku was a good thing when I was idle. Kept my brain thinking of anything but the surgery. I also bought myself nice new pyjamas to wear so I didn't feel to grotty afterwards.

angelopal · 21/11/2025 12:23

I had a minor surgery last year for the first time. Felt exactly the same as you but it went fine. Ended up needing major surgery later in the year. But felt more prepared for that as had been through one already.

Try and distract yourself and focus on the improvement it will make to after it's done.

Pinkbox · 21/11/2025 12:29

The team are so kind, you‘ll be on or get on the bed, the anesthetist is talking to you and at my last surgery there are others buzzing around, one asked me what procedure I was having (to double check etc) plus check your ID band etc.

Then the anesthetist says count back from 10 and I get to 8 or 7 and then wake up with a nurse telling me they are removing the tube and that it’s all finished. I have usually had the most deep and bizarre dreams, not scary just like duvet peaceful.

That‘s only my experience but I hope it helps a bit OP.

C080889 · 21/11/2025 12:31

I have 8 GA. I love the feeling!!! So you never know you may enjoy the feeling of falling asleep. As above its generally an anti climax

Good luck!

HelpMeGetThrough · 21/11/2025 12:48

I’ve had quite a few surgeries, but a really big one this time last year, which did involve a bowel resection.

You will be fine, the theatre teams are brilliant, talked briefly to my anaesthetist about her tattoos (she had quite a few) before she wanged me off to sleep.

One bonus with a resection. You’ll fart like a trooper and nobody can have a go at you, because for me, it was Doctors orders to fart. 😁

HoldingOutForACleaner · 21/11/2025 12:50

You could ask to be early on the list so you’re not sitting around getting more and more anxious. I’ve had several GAs and the anaesthetists were all lovely. 💐

Hoodlumboodlum · 21/11/2025 12:51

I was like this before my first surgery. I even asked if they could do it while I was awake (they rightly refused). I expected to feel out of control of my body when I was put under but in reality i was asleep in less than one second so I literally didn't get time to feel anything. I expected to wake up confused, dosy etc but I didn't and it just felt like waking up after sleeping. No pain as they'd loaded me up and even the pain later was absolutely fine and easily manageable. I'd turned it into a huge thing in my head but it was honestly so easy and absolutely fine.

fudgesmummy · 21/11/2025 15:15

I’ve had 7 GA’s and will be having 2 more in the new year.
I have also been a chronic insomniac my entire life and those ‘sleeps’ are the best I have ever had!!
The feeling of falling asleep instantly and then the warm, cosy feeling of being half awake afterwards is lovely!
Tell the anaesthetist how scared you are and they will be able to reassure you, their whole job during the surgery is to keep you safe.
Good luck with everything

surprisebaby12 · 21/11/2025 15:29

i used to have a needle phobia, and I used gaslighting and meditation to overcome it. I repeated over and over that my arm was like sponge to a needle, and that it wouldn’t hurt at all. During the procedure, I then visualised that spongey arm and repeated the mantras. It did actually work!

for you, that could look like telling yourself you are not worried at all, it’s very safe and you’ll bounce back. When going in, continue the mantras repeatedly and imagine you are somewhere very relaxing and not stressful.

LeavesTrees · 21/11/2025 15:34

I’ve had GA twice and the build up does feel scary, but the actual going under is nothing. The first time I remember them making me count then next thing I knew I was being woken up. I had no concept of the time in between. I actually thought that they had changed their minds and not done it, because you are literally awake one minute, have a vague feeling of going to sleep then you are awake again. It’s like only seconds have passed.

LadyDanburysHat · 21/11/2025 15:35

The anaesthetic team will be great at putting you at ease, they will chat away to you nonsense about your life before you even realise it they will have you all ready to go under and it will just happen. I've not been asked to count for my last two operations, they just chatted to me and next thing I knew I was waking up.

Also to add, I love having a GA as I have a lot of tension in my muscles, shoulder in particular, and that just disappears for a while after.

Tibby99 · 21/11/2025 15:38

I've been there op - had the whole lot out due to IBD and various surgeries since. Remember being terrified before one in particular, the theatre team were so kind and good at helping to put me at my ease.

I'm not sure I really coped! I had a meltdown on the ward the night before and was physically shaking when I arrived in theatre. If you're that bad you can ask for a valium or similar to help beforehand.

You just have to trust that it will all be OK and they know what they're doing. Drifting off under GA is weird but quick and actually pretty nice. You don't know anything after that.

You'll likely feel some pain when you wake up, that's OK, they can adjust your painkillers via IV very quickly. My more recent experiences coming round in recovery have been much more pleasant, it used to be quite an abrupt awakening but they seem to treat you more gently now.

When you get to theatre, you'll be in a room where they give you the GA. You'll be in a bed and they'll insert a canula and attach an ECG (sticky pads to your chest) so they can monitor your heart rate.

Good idea to tie your hair back- no metals, just a tie - and not too tightly. You want it out the way but comfortable.

It can be nice to apply a nice moisturiser to your face that morning so you feel you're taking care of yourself. Keep your nails free of polish.

They'll ask you your details - name, dob, allergies etc and check against your wrist band. The GA will probably be iv and they'll probably hook you up to oxygen and tell you to breathe evenly. They might ask you to count backwards and you won't get far before you drift off. When the GA goes in you might feel a bit weird in your arm or a bit tingly and that's probably the last thing you'll register before you wake up later.

I don't regret any of my surgeries, they were all worth it. You'll be OK, just tell them you're scared.

BillieWiper · 21/11/2025 15:38

I honestly felt amazing when I came round from my emergency hip surgery. Like really amazing. That'll be the drugs. Haha.

You won't remember or feel anything whatsoever while it's happening. They will give you plenty of pain relief for your recovery. Please don't worry.

Wishing you the best!

feathers7 · 21/11/2025 15:51

I had my first ever GA last week for knee surgery, at 52 years old. I was really apprehensive, as I told the anaesthetist. He was great, he just carried on chatting as he anaesthetised me and before I knew it, I woke up in recovery!

The staff were lovely-theatre, recovery and ward.
It was a scary, daunting prospect but I’m so pleased to have had had my op, and now be on the mend, as you soon will be too. Good luck!

Original poster
BunnyBoo2 · 21/11/2025 15:59

Thank you to you all for taking the time to reply and reassure me. It does help to hear from others who have felt the same beforehand and definitely reassuring to hear that it wasn't as bad as you thought.

I've been managing to hold it together for the last few days but today I'm struggling. Trying to distract myself - watching TV etc.

I did tell them at the pre op that I was extremely anxious about it and they said they could give me something to help calm me down.

OP posts:
SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 21/11/2025 16:04

Ive had multiple surgeries in the last 12m
I was sure i would die on the table at the first one and was a bit hysterical (think deranged panicked cat terrority). I actually did my will...
by the last i was throwing myself on the bed saying let's get this over with...

I recommend music that makes you feel good for me thats upbeat pop and maybe some 70s / 80s bangers

Download some easy watching shows to your phone...

Also tell theml staff you are nervous and everyone will have a nice chat with you.

Bring some nice drinks / snacks as appropriate for afterwards..

Original poster
BunnyBoo2 · 21/11/2025 16:06

Tibby99 · 21/11/2025 15:38

I've been there op - had the whole lot out due to IBD and various surgeries since. Remember being terrified before one in particular, the theatre team were so kind and good at helping to put me at my ease.

I'm not sure I really coped! I had a meltdown on the ward the night before and was physically shaking when I arrived in theatre. If you're that bad you can ask for a valium or similar to help beforehand.

You just have to trust that it will all be OK and they know what they're doing. Drifting off under GA is weird but quick and actually pretty nice. You don't know anything after that.

You'll likely feel some pain when you wake up, that's OK, they can adjust your painkillers via IV very quickly. My more recent experiences coming round in recovery have been much more pleasant, it used to be quite an abrupt awakening but they seem to treat you more gently now.

When you get to theatre, you'll be in a room where they give you the GA. You'll be in a bed and they'll insert a canula and attach an ECG (sticky pads to your chest) so they can monitor your heart rate.

Good idea to tie your hair back- no metals, just a tie - and not too tightly. You want it out the way but comfortable.

It can be nice to apply a nice moisturiser to your face that morning so you feel you're taking care of yourself. Keep your nails free of polish.

They'll ask you your details - name, dob, allergies etc and check against your wrist band. The GA will probably be iv and they'll probably hook you up to oxygen and tell you to breathe evenly. They might ask you to count backwards and you won't get far before you drift off. When the GA goes in you might feel a bit weird in your arm or a bit tingly and that's probably the last thing you'll register before you wake up later.

I don't regret any of my surgeries, they were all worth it. You'll be OK, just tell them you're scared.

Edited

How long were you in hospital after your bowel surgery @Tibby99 ? And what was the recovery like?

OP posts:
Floisme · 21/11/2025 16:09

I found general anaesthetic really rather pleasant - I was out cold before they could even ask me to count down from 10 - and when I came round, I felt nicely ‘out of it’ for the rest of the day.

It did take its toll afterwards though and I was quite shocked at how long it took before I started feeling back to normal. I’m not telling you that because I want to make you even more anxious but because I wish someone had warned me beforehand. (To be fair, I’m sure they did, I just didn’t believe them!) Good luck.

Crikeyalmighty · 21/11/2025 16:12

I have had quite a few over the years , I was petrified of the idea of feeling myself falling asleep but the reality was the anaesthetist was talking to me as they did it and then next thing I was awake with a nurse chatting to me - my brain didn’t even register the falling asleep bit - good luck lovely x

CrepuscularCritter · 21/11/2025 16:16

I had 2 GAs in September and the team were absolutely brilliant. The anaesthetist came to do pre-op checks in A&E and then came to see me later in ICU to check how I was doing. As for the anawathetic itself, the process itself was quick and I was mid conversation as I went under. Coming round was fine too. I remember seeing the clock in the recovery room, then speaking to the people looking after us. Wishing you the very best, and that they look after you brilliantly too.

Berlinerwurst · 21/11/2025 16:35

BunnyBoo2 · 21/11/2025 12:12

I'm having a bowel resection on Monday due to Crohns and this is my very first surgery. I have such a fear of the GA and have been doing my best to avoid having this op for years.

I can't believe it's so close now. I had a major wobble last weekend and I was close to cancelling it. I just want to get it done but I can't shake this fear that I won't wake up 😔

I spoke to an anaesthetist at my pre op who was lovely and it was reassuring to some extent. I can't imagine what kind of emotional nervous wreck I'm going to be on Monday though.

Anybody feel the same before an op and how did you cope with it?

This was me a year ago today. Same op, same terror (esp regarding the anaesthetic). And - it was fine, although I did feel very rough for the first week and it took 6 weeks to fully recover.

One thing that helped was telling the anaesthetist how scared I was - he gave me something to help me relax. I don't remember getting the anaesthetic itself at all, only the spinal.

FullOfMomsense · 21/11/2025 16:36

Everyone you encounter from the porters to the anaesthetists, the recovery staff, the staff in the holding bays pre op etc will all be solely focused on you. They are there to hold your hand, be kind, talk to you, distract or just allow you to be worried. I promise, you will be so reassured when you get there, the waiting is the very very worst part of it.

I wish you the very best x

Tibby99 · 21/11/2025 16:36

BunnyBoo2 · 21/11/2025 16:06

How long were you in hospital after your bowel surgery @Tibby99 ? And what was the recovery like?

Show quote history

I've had a few so it's varied, but 1-2 weeks. The really major ones required 2 weeks, the smaller ones much less.

Recovery was fine, half of the time in hospital you're waiting for what's left of your bowel to wake up and function again, but each time there was the immediate relief of no longer feeling so ill as I did beforehand.

Some people get some nausea after a GA but I never have- and they can give you meds for that anyway.

Also like others who've posted I really like the sleep I get after a GA!

PersephoneParlormaid · 21/11/2025 16:40

I was absolutely shitting myself, the anaesthetist commented on how high my heart rate was before he put me to sleep. And then I was awake and it felt like no time had passed. I was on a high after.
You will be ok, get it over and done with before Xmas 💐
Come back on Monday and we’ll hold your hand.

Berlinerwurst · 21/11/2025 16:47

Mine was a resection of the terminal ileum and I was in hospital a week which seems to be standard for that op - certainly I wasn't going anywhere any sooner.

I was told - and so I found- that the second day after surgery was the toughest (the day after you're still very fully of all sorts of drugs so you don't feel very much). After day 2 though I got better each day.

They were good about giving me extra pain relief and anti nausea drugs when I needed them - some came automatically but others I had to request so don't be afraid to ask.

Having been looking forward to real food post op (after 6 weeks on a liquid diet) I found myself utterly without appetite for days. That wore off as my gut started working again.

My crp spiked massively after surgery which worried the ward doctors a bit but my surgeon said that's typical in patients with ibd and doesn't necessarily signify infection and she was right in my case. I got to go home when the numbers started to drop.