It's the anesthesia which worries me. After listening to a Radio Lab podcast and having it described as an off switch for the brain (one minute you're aware and talking, the next out) scares me a little. Apart from that, I guess what's keeping my mind bothered is the uncertainty of it all. Even though I'm consulting with surgeons online and off, none of it feels very real.

Guess I'll be able to relax once I know where I'm going and have a date.

I said I'd reply after my FFS, so here it is. 

I was relaxed the day before the surgery and on the morning of the surgery.  I think the main reason is because it was something I wanted to do.  Internally I was probably less calm.  The anesthetic lasted for around 6 hours, and I returned to consciousness slowly but with no other side effects. 

My feeling is this:  you want this surgery; you are in the hands of a skilled surgeon and anaesthetist; and this is how you are going to become who you need to be.

If you are anxious, perhaps a mild sedative the night before your surgery might help.

Quote from: Julia-Madrid on August 10, 2014, 02:31:04 AM
I said I'd reply after my FFS, so here it is. 

I was relaxed the day before the surgery and on the morning of the surgery.  I think the main reason is because it was something I wanted to do.  Internally I was probably less calm.  The anesthetic lasted for around 6 hours, and I returned to consciousness slowly but with no other side effects. 

My feeling is this:  you want this surgery; you are in the hands of a skilled surgeon and anaesthetist; and this is how you are going to become who you need to be.

If you are anxious, perhaps a mild sedative the night before your surgery might help.

Congratulations Julia     

I've been under general anesthetic a number of times and its nothing to be worried about. The injections though, I have big problems with them...

Its irrational, but hard to overcome. I just tough it out and try to find other things to occupy my thoughts - it's not like there's much choice.

I've not had any serious surgery yet, but so far I've found the main problem with hospitals is boredom.

Quote from: Dash on August 09, 2014, 06:06:12 PM
It's the anesthesia which worries me. After listening to a Radio Lab podcast and having it described as an off switch for the brain (one minute you're aware and talking, the next out) scares me a little. Apart from that, I guess what's keeping my mind bothered is the uncertainty of it all. Even though I'm consulting with surgeons online and off, none of it feels very real.

Guess I'll be able to relax once I know where I'm going and have a date.

Don't stress yourself. Its not really that bad. Yeah one second you're there and the next thing you will be waking up. Believe me the stuff they give you right before they take you into the operating room, you could care less about anything after that little injection. The world could blow apart and you wouldn't care.

Quote from: ♡ Emily ♡ on August 11, 2014, 09:28:18 AM
I second Jess - You should not bother about anesthesia. I once had that one - the local one did not seem to work and since I had previously consented to undergo general anesthesia they just said that they are gonna to do it.
I remember saying something about "That will be a curious experience to undergo", blinking and then asking when they are gonna flip that switch.
They laughed and said that I had been off for 30 mins and the surgery is already over... To me it seemed like blinking, except when I opened my eyes... You got the idea .

Yeah, me too. I remember the anesthesiologist asking me if I was ready and I said yeah and then "How are you feeling?' and 45 mins went by without me being aware of anything. What was really coincidental I can remember Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb on the radio they were listening to and I though how fitting. I really don't know what that stuff was she shot in the IV to relax me but I went from a little anxious to not caring about anything in two seconds.