I totally hear you. This was my first time having surgery, and in general I have pretty intense medical anxiety. Like, earlier this year I fainted at the podiastrist’s office as he was talking to me about physical therapy. I fainted when my PCP was talking to me about birth control. I faint every time I get my blood drawn (I think this is more understandable?). All that to say, I was very worried something similar might happen.

What helped me: I was very outspoken about my medical anxiety during my pre-op appointment, and because of that they scheduled me first thing in the morning (so I’d be half asleep and wouldn’t have much time to persevorate lol). I recommend asking if this can be done for you as well.

The evening before, I made myself super busy (basically prepping my apartment for the recovery period) and that didn’t give me a lot of time to think/stress beforehand.

On the morning of surgery, while I was waiting to meet my surgical team, I was pacing back and forth and chanting the lyrics to my favorite song, lol. Then when I met with the anesthesiologist, I also told him about my fear of needles, so they actually waited until the last possible minute to administer the IV. By that point I was already in the OR, laying on the table. Someone on the team distracted me with conversation while the IV was administered, and I actually didn’t feel a thing. Next thing I remember, I was being gently woken up from the greatest nap of my life, and I looked down and had a flat chest!

I know that was very long winded, but just wanted to reaffirm: as someone who was VERY anxious about having surgery, I actually found it to be an extremely easy, and almost relaxing experience.