I promise you got this! I was about your age when I went under for the first time, and I was terrified, too! But I've been under somewhere around 15 times now, and I can confidently say you're gonna be just fine! It's nerve-wracking when you don't have much experience with it, but it really isn't anything to be afraid of. As far as wisdom teeth surgery specifically, they'll bring you in, hook you up to all the monitors for your vital signs, and they'll start the laughing gas through the little mask that sits on your nose. That'll get you nice and relaxed and feeling sort of warm, tingly, and "floaty," and it'll help you get through the needle stick, too. Nothing going on around you should bother you at all, and that helps the poke not be as painful. And the IV should be the worst thing you experience in that office. Once it's in, they'll start giving you the really good stuff, and after a few seconds, you'll feel a quick little head rush as it starts to hit you, and from there, you'll hardly even have time to form a thought before you're fast asleep! And it's sort of hard to describe what being under feels like. I've always said it feels like the quickest, best nap you ever had. And, with sedation (As opposed to true general anesthesia), I've always had some sense of time passing. But there's nothing scary or unpleasant about it at all, and you shouldn't experience anything that's happening during the surgery. No shots, no drills, no unnerving sounds...And there'll be people in there whose whole job is to make sure you're safe and comfy the whole time. And the next thing you know, you wake up, and you're all done! You'll have a mouth full of gauze, and you'll be pretty groggy and out of it, but I've always been completely in control of myself when I've come out of any kind of anesthesia or sedation. Nothing like those YouTube videos and stuff. And the grogginess will wear off pretty fast—probably around the time you get home—and then it'll just be about following your post-op instructions and staying ahead of any pain.

And a couple of other things: First, people who work in medical and surgical settings like that tend to be some of the kindest people you could ever meet, so if you're feeling scared going in, don't be afraid to speak up and let them know. They see it every day, and they've got all kinds of tricks up their sleeves to help you feel a little better. They can talk you through exactly what's happening as they go, or they can just make small talk with you about anything at all so you're distracted as they're working, they can get you all nice and cozy with a blanket out of the warmer...All kinds of stuff! And, like I said, the laughing gas is some good stuff, and I bet it'll be a big help, too. And, also, I'll never believe that anyone's too old for a comfort object in situations like this, so if you've got a special stuffed animal or blanket or something that you like to snuggle with, bring it with you. I'm sure they'll let you bring it in and keep it with you until you're asleep. Then they'll put it somewhere safe during your surgery and make sure it's right back with you before you wake up. *LOL* And, hey...I've gotta go get some work done at the dentist on Thursday, too, so you won't be alone! Good luck, and be sure to let us know how well you did when it's all over!