Lap anxiety

[Bellabellaboo]

Hello, I am booked for my lap on 20th June...first time under GA and I have a bad phobia of vomiting. I am so anxious and considering cancelling...help!

[Lofty1589]

Hi there! As someone who has severe anxiety about anything medical and vomiting, I can promise you it will be all right. I had my diagnostic lap done on Tuesday and the nurses were lovely. They give you plenty of meds like anti sickness and when you come round after, they’ll give you more pain meds if you need them.

I had to stay overnight because I wasn’t coping mentally but all the nurses were lovely at let me take my time with things. Honestly, it isn’t as bad as your brain makes it out to be. Don’t cancel it because you’ll regret it if you do 💜

[Bellabellaboo in reply to Lofty1589]

I literally have tears in my eyes reading your message thank you so much! So nice to feel like you are not alone! How did you cope pre op and the day of? I am already waking up at night in a panic over it all! No idea how I am even going to get to hospital at this rate!

[Lofty1589 in reply to Bellabellaboo]

The pre-op is simply going over what will happen in brief detail and just ensuring you have everything ready. On lap day, I was bottom of the list so wasn’t in the anaesthetic room until about 16:30 but had watched the whole first season of Gavin&Stacey and the first episode and a half of Stranger Things. After having cannulas inserted etc, next thing I knew I was in recovery.

Trust me, I was the very same. But it isn’t as bad as your brain makes you believe. In your pre-op, make sure you tell them about your anxiety because they can make a note of it on your file. Because of mine, and severe needle phobia, I was lucky and they gave me numbing cream to put on the backs of my hands before I was admitted which meant I barely felt the cannula be inserted.

But honestly, though it is incredibly difficult, try not to panic. If you can, download some things you love to watch for lap day so whilst you’re waiting you have something to do and time just goes by.

If you need me, message me. I don’t mind in the slightest if I can help you out 💜

[princessk09]

Hey, my lap last July was my first time under GA and my biggest fear was the breathing tube as I was scared I would wake up with it still in my throat. My anaesthetist was so nice and immediately made me feel at ease. In the end I just woke up with a sore throat and squashed uvula haha.

Everyone reacts differently to GA, I was so high and alert from the drugs, I felt on cloud nine for 2 days until it wore off but I was never sick or felt any nausea.

They can give you anti sickness injections during the procedure and afterwards to help with the side effect. Just speak to your anaesthetist and they will give you the best advice and medicine. xxxx