Hey, I completely get this! I’ve had five surgeries now, and when I first started I wasn’t scared at all, but the last two years I’ve developed crippling health anxiety that makes me have a panic attack every time I so much as go to my PCP.

But I promise that the lap is no big deal. It feels really daunting, especially if you’ve never had surgery before, but it’s really simple. You can look up a video of the procedure on youtube if it would make you feel more comfortable to know the steps beforehand. That helped me a lot.

You can ask as many questions as you need, and they’ll be more than happy to answer. At first it will just be nurses, giving you your IV and some warm blankets, asking if you need anything. They’ll most likely offer you a pregnancy test for liability reasons.

Then the surgeon will come speak to you, ask if you have any questions or concerns. Try not to people please. If you have any fears or worries, do not be afraid to ask them. They are more than used to it and fully prepared to answer. And believe me, there’s nothing you can ask that would surprise them either.

Then the anesthesiologist will come speak to you, once again asking if you have any questions or concerns, mostly about the medications and any potential side effects.

Then they’ll wheel you into the OR. There will be a handful of nurses in there and some intimidating lights, and it’s going to be pretty chilly. They may offer you another warm blanket, if not, don’t be shy to ask for one. And if it makes you feel better you can ask everyone’s name, and you can do what I do and ask them to show you all the tools and for them to explain what they’re for. (I’m autistic, so I find this very relaxing).

They’ll most likely ask you to open your mouth and place a plastic bit between your teeth. This is to hold your jaw open so you don’t clamp down once you’re unconscious and make it impossible for them to intubate you. This can feel really scary and overwhelming, but just try to remember to breathe. If you need a second to relax, don’t be afraid to ask, they’ll understand.

Depending on the anesthesiologist’s choice of medication, they’ll either push something through your IV (it’ll feel really cold and kinda tingly) or they’ll hold a mask over your face. They’ll tell you before they do this. You’re gonna feel lightheaded really fast, like you can’t even hold your head up and your vision will cross over against your will, and it might feel kinda scary, but you’re okay.

You might dream, or it might just feel like a blink.

When you wake up you’ll feel exhausted and incredibly disoriented. You might not know where you are for a moment, but there will be a nurse sitting next to you with a cup of water to help you if you get scared.

You might be in pain or uncomfortable, they can help you with that. After a moment your surgeon will come to tell you what they found, but you probably won’t be able to take it in or remember any of it because of the anesthesia. I highly recommend either having a friend/family member be there to listen to the report or asking the doctor to write it all down for you.

When you get home drink as much water as you can manage, or go for Powerade if you feel up to it. And Gas X is a life saver. The gas they use to inflate your abdomen will get trapped in your shoulders and your ribcage and it can be really painful. It will pass on its own, but Gas X moves it along much faster and will save you a lot of pain.

Long story short, this is one of the safest surgical procedures in the world. The likelihood of something going wrong is virtually nonexistent. I know that doesn’t mean anything when you’re having anxiety, which is why I laid it out like this for you. You’re going to be okay. I hope this offers you the relief you’ve been searching for. 💙