Can anyone help me overcome my stupid fear of having surgery. I dont know why i !


Question: Can anyone help me overcome my stupid fear of having surgery. I dont know why i worry about it?
I never used to worry about this problem until only recently and i am so nervous i keep having dihhorreah etc.I have recently developed a sort of fear of surgery if it were to come to that someday (Im a little bit squeamish) is it really that bad? What is it like to be knocked out? Does an operation hurt? I am afraid of getting old and getting disease.
Here are some things that help me cope (are they good thinking strategies?)
- i am unlikely to need an operation
- operations wont hurt as i am knocked out
- i am fit and healthy
- i have my parents support
- my freinds have turned out fine
-i do not need an opration
-its always worse than it actually is

My worst fear is the tubing that gets inserted into your throat or whatever - i am scared incase it goes wrong and cuts my throat. Its all a bit icky

Also, i have never been knocked out before and i find the whole process a bit scary - the drip and the cold liquid running up my arm is so disguistig and icky - is it a nice feeling of being knocked out with drugs?
I dont wanna get myself into a negative state and just enjoy my life

Can anyone help me cure my horrible fear once and for all thx

Answers:

Being knocked out is exactly like being asleep. You are unaware of your surroundings and cannot feel pain. The actual act of being operated on does not hurt because you are unconscious. The operation will hurt after you have woken up as your body becomes aware of what's happened, but you are usually given painkillers to help you deal with the pain. After a while the pain wears off and you are back to normal.

It is slightly disconcerting feeling the drugs run up your arm because they are a bit colder, but it's like someone's just dunked your arm in water. You will be asked to count backwards from a specific number and you will fall unconscious before you finish. Anaesthetists are excellent at their job and you will be out for as long as they need you to be.

When I was knocked out for my tonsillectomy I remember counting backwards from 10 and then the next thing I remember was waking up in the recovery ward. I remember nothing in between.

You do not usually need tubes inserting down your throat for most operations unless they are actually required (e.g. gastric operations, heart/lung transpants etc). The tubes are plastic and flexible and cannot cut you.

Those are good thinking strategies. You are unlikely to need an operation unless you are gravely ill or injured; or you elect to have cosmetic surgery, and since you have stated that you are fit and healthy this isn't a concern. Operations are painless while they are being performed. Your parents will support you if you need an operation as most people have either lived with individuals who have had operations or have had them themselves. Operations are quite safe with skilled individuals performing them.



Drugs, when used correctly, are a miracle. The sedatives given through IV for an operation where sedation is required, knock you out; in seconds. You don't have much time to react or have fear. You aren't conscious for it. So, there isn't much cause for concern. And then if there will be pain following the surgery, you'll get painkillers. So you are covered all around. Is it an irrational fear? I don't think so. But, as far as the fear goes, why worry? You don't need it right now, so it is not an issue. And when it is, take comfort in knowing that there are trained professionals there to make sure all goes well and minimal discomfort is experienced.



It's a reasonable fear; sometimes things go wrong. But overall, it's very safe. Being knocked out isn't bad. Generally you juts get a little sleepy and then wake up fixed. Recovery is a little painful, but not as bad as you think, and they usually give you painkillers for after. If you do need an operation sometime, minimize possible mistakes by asking the doctor questions, make sure they know who you are, have the right chart, and know what operation they're doing on you. And get a sharpie. If it's on a leg or something, write on the other one, "Wrong side!" And just think of aaaaall the surgeries that happen each year, and almost every single one turns out just fine. If you can't get past this on your own, talk to a professional about this phobia. Good luck.




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