Fear of Surgery (Being Put To Sleep)?

Question

hi i'm having surgery in 4 weeks, its only the day surgery i'm going in and operation lasting 30/45 mins.

i don't have a fear of the operation itself nor recovery, but what i have a fear of is being put to sleep and never waking up again :/

i don't know why i'm feeling like this, ive been put to sleep a few time with anathestic as a child, but i don't know maybe as you get older you fear it more.

i know the replys i get from this will question will probably be "fear nothing, you'll be okay" but what is the death rate of being put to sleep?

i'm 24 (almost 25) and will be 25 when i have surgery, but yeah i'm health and in good shape.

its the 'waiting' thing thats getting to me.

Answer 1

I am an alternative medicinal therapist and an ex nurse and i know what you are going through i have been there. A few years ago i had major surgery and I to was worried but i had reason to be as being a nurse i know what can go wrong. i am not going to tell you to stop worrying you have every reason to be. The main problem with a general is the patient going into anaesthetic shock, it doesn't often happen but the risk is there, this can happen even if you only go in for a tooth extraction. I can only have a general with this and i had a cataract out under a general. I have been under so many times but still I get scared. After all the surgeons are not God. The chances are you will be OK. If you sit worrying about it you wont even make it to the hospital, then you will end up having to live with your problem which may end up getting worse and then being rushed into hospital in the end, you cant win. Good luck and let me know how you get on

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Answer 2

I understand that. When I had my tubes tied a few years ago I was scared of the samething and it wasn't all that big of a deal ethier but if I ever had to have a major surgery I'd be terrified but sometimes you have to comfront your fears. The only way you'll not wake up is if something went wrong but the chances of that happening are proablyt 1 in a million. The best way to get past this is if you were to pray to God to help you and ask him to give you comfront. Your young. You'll be fine. I"m not sure what the rate is of people dieing when they sleep but my mom's been through so much surgerys well not a lot only a few and she's made it through alright. Don't sweat it. Just remeber that worrying is putting scress on your heart. You will be ok. You didn't say what kind of surgery your going through but no matter which one you'll be ok. I have faith in my lord that he'll see you through this and i hope you do to. Email me if you need more encouragement.

Answer 3

Hi, its understandable that you have some kind of aprehension when undergoing any surgery. There is oneway to look at this scenario, if you don`t wake up, you will never ever know about. I used to have major concerns about going under the knife, and I am due to go in next Tuesday for a major back op which will last 5/6 hours,so the sleeping part of it I will be out of for several hours. I will say having been put under many times now, it is a wonderful feeling as your drifting off, for once you don`t have competition with a ticking clock, the wind blowing the rain falling or a husbands snoring, its very painless and very peaceful.

Of course there are times when things go wrong in the OR but thankfully its not from not waking up but from more severe complications within the procedure that your having done.

I wish you all the best for your OP and try and stay calm it does help the situation.

Answer 4

Vicky, I just answered your question about blood draw and thought I'd tackle this one too. First of all, it is normal to be terrified before surgery. I've had two knee surgeries, and a hiatal hernia repair - and all three times I was scared. Normally when the anesthesiologist (the person who puts you to sleep) gets ready to insert the IV drip he rubs something like Novocain on your hand to deaden the feeling. I didn't feel it at all. When the drip starts your hand and arm will feel cold for a bit - the IV has been refrigerated. I was asked to count backwards from 100 - I think I got to 96, that's all I remember. One thing to note - there will be a lot of activity around you, so be aware of that. Nurses will be setting things up, you'll be hooked up to a blood pressure monitor and the IV, lights will be positioned, etc. So your anxiety will increase a bit with all the hustle and bustle. That's quite normal. Good luck, "Ranger"

Answer 5

It's normal to be somewhat apprehensive. The last time I was put to sleep, It was the best sleep I've gotten in years! You are young, in good health, and will do fine. I would say the death rate is very slim. I would be more concerned if you had severe heart problems or had endured multiple surgeries. Let us know how you're doing, when surgery is over and you've recovered.

Answer 6

I totally understand, I am terrified, i get into a right state over it, crying and then I feel really embarrassed afterwards. I would ask for a pre-med to relax you before the operation, ask when the guy who will be putting you to sleep comes to see you on the day ward. Try to think positive and what ever the surgery is for that things will be better afterwards. I was put under for four hours for my transplant last year, when it came to being put to sleep, even though i was crying, i tried to relax and just go with it. Try not to worry. xx

Answer 7

Well I'm 37, and I've had surgery more than a few times...nothing cosmetic...lol, but every time I have to be but under I'm afraid. My friends always say everything will be fine, but I thinks it's just the human condition to worry about things that you can't control. Normally, I talk to my doctor, and the anesthesiologist. I ask what are the risks of the anesthesia, how many times have they worked together, and have they ever had any complications with a patient and the anesthesia. It makes me feel better to know their track record.

Answer 8

I had an operation that lasted 4 and a half hours, I wasnt scared of the recovering or the operation but the putting to sleep thing scared me like hell.

They took me down to theatre and i was in a tiny room with 4 doctors, they put the needle in your arm to put you to sleep. I didnt even feel my eyes get heaver and didnt have a chance to fight it! Before i knew it i was being woke up. Sorry i dont know the death rate but if you follow the doctors orders and your healthy and all that you will be fine.

I was a stone over weight and they would operate on me until i lost it, so they are very careful and know what they are doing.

Good luck

Answer 9

I am a surgical nurse. I deal with patients who are having heart and lung surgery. The best way i know to deal with this fear, which by the way, is very, very common... I have been there myself, is to take a friend or family member with you, to the hospital, to wait with you. In addition, tell the nurses how you are feeling, they are there to be your advocate with the doctors, in in most cases, you can get a small dose of a sedative, to help take the edge off. Don't be afraid to ask for it. No one there will think any less of you for it, it happens all the time. To be honest, health professionals are the biggest babies, as patients. I had my gallbladder out two years ago, and I had them give me a sedative, as I was shaking, in the holding room, before the OR... So you are in good company, lol. Good luck with your procedure.

Answer 10

The most interesting thing is when you wake up after the surgery it seems like all you did was just blink instead of having been under deep anaesthetic. I couldnt believe the surgery was actually over. So you really have nothing to fear. You wont be aware you went under.