I'm kinda nervous about this...?

Question

OK, so I have a pretty bad scar on my collar bone, & I'm having plastic surgery to get it removed in a few weeks.

I've never had any surgery done before...and I'm really nervous.

Anyone have any tips or anything that might make me feel a little less nervous? lol.

Answer 1

Everyone gave good answers, but to add to it, just remeber, doctors do this stuff 24/7!  It's like nothing to them! Just another day at work.

They aren't fixing or putting steel into your body, just fixing a scar!

Think of all the surgery's people go through. Yours will probably be like a "very basic level" surgery for these doctors. You have nothing to worry about.  

Answer 2

I had Surgery on my foot well my Toe to get a Toothpick out and its okay to be Nervous , but Just relax they are Doctors they know what they are doing  

Answer 3

You dont need to be nervous.  I was an anesthesia technician for 18 years and will take you through the whole procedure.

You will be taken to either a holding area, or right outside the OR, or directly into the OR.

After you are taken to one of those locations a nurse will come to you, and ask you a bunch of questions.  

Eventually a nurse anesthesist or anesthesologist will also come and ask you a bunch of questions also.  Some of these questions will be repeatitious.  

The questions will be about your height, weight, current meds, both legal and illegal, allergies, do you smoke, etc.

After you have been asked all these questions the anesthesia provider will start an IV in your hand that is opposite the scar.

After that, you will be given some medicine like valium to relax you.

You will eventually be taken to the OR, where you will be asked to move to a surgical table.

At that time the nurse will use velcro straps, like a seat belt to "secure you to the table."  It really doesnt secure you, as it really is there to remind you that the table is narrow and not to move.

Your arms will be put on arm boards and laid out also.  They will be strapped down with the velcro as well.

After this is completed you will be attached to at least two monitors  An EKG, and pulse oximeter, which measures te amount of oxygen in your blood.

The anesthesia provider will then attach a mask to your face,  He will put it on and secure it with a strap, and begin giving you oxygen.

At the same time he will give you several medications through your IV.  Something which will make you fall asleep, a muscle relaxant, which will paralize your muscles, and a narcotic.  While doing this he will still be giving you oxygen, plus watching your vital signs.

When you are fully asleep, he will remove the mask and take a metal blade type instrument and put it on your tounge to the back of your throat, where he will lift the epiglotis up and expose the trachea.  He will then put a tube into your trachea and give you oxygen directly through there.  

At that time the nurse will begin to prep your arm where the incision will be made.  She will use betadine to clean the area.

While this is occuring your surgeon will be scrubing his hands.

He will come into the room and put on a gown and gloves and put a sterile towel and covering over the area where he will does his surgery.

He will complete his procedure, suture you, and dress the area.

He will then leave the room.  The anesthesologist will wake you up.  You will be moved back to your bed, and taken to recovery room.  Once again you will be monitored and given oxygen,  This time it willl be through your nose and will be done by means of a cannula.

After approx. 45 minutes, if you are stable and breathing well, you will be taken to your room.

All this is under the assumption you are having a general anesthetic and in the main OR and not day surgery.'

If it is day surgery, you will leave the recovery room and be taken to another area for a period of time.  Then you will be dismissed to go home.

I know this is a long answer, and if you have more questions, please e-mail me and I will attempt to answer them

Answer 4

I had my first surgery back in January, I broke my ankle while running (in the snow, I know) but had 7 screws and a plate put in.

I was under strong medications at the time, but still was nervous through the hazy feelings I was having.

I came out of surgery with with no memory, and was taken care of like a princess.

If anything can make you feel better, I'd say just that you are out for the count, feel nothing...and afterwards-yeah-you're treated like a princess. Everyone is fatherly and motherly and it feels so good.

Answer 5

It's kind of a late post, but I wish you all the best.  Scooter is right, though.  Sometimes a little discomfort goes a long way.  that will soon be forgotten, as will the scar.

Don't let them do anything to your pretty face.

Answer 6

greta, the last few years of my life i am a veteran of

many surgeries. mine were very serious in nature.

i feel you should try and relax. ask the surgeon

any questions that you are nervous or apprehensive

about. best of luck and i,m sure you will do fine.

Answer 7

Be positive & try not to think about it too much. When it's over u will see it will worth it.  I wish u luck.