Very nervous the day before surgery

I hope someone will reach out to @susanwison regarding her anxiousness prior to surgery. I know that I have had quite a few surgeries, all without incident.

Thinking about beforehand is the worst, isn’t it? I had different surgery, different body part, same anxiety!
If you can, spend the time preparing for what you need after surgery. It may keep your mind busy.
Check that you have something to hold on to ass you walk through the house - counter, back of sofa, wall. I’d guess dizziness or balance may be an issue for a few days.
Maybe plan on only button down shirts so you don’t pull anything past your ear. Move as many important things up on a counter or table so you don’t lean over (hair tools, kitchen appliance, whatever is in the lower drawer that you use daily).
It may be relaxing to put a headphone earbud in the good ear and listen to music or book as you sit. The strain of listening temporarily with only one ear can be tiring - you might not even notice, but your brain will be working harder to compensate.
Best wishes for tomorrow!

....best wishes for tomorrow's surgery. Being anxious and being "absolutely petrified" can mean different things to different people of course. I am like you and even reading about some surgery/medical procedure for myself makes my heart start pounding... have had anxiety most of my life... the above comments are helpful/reassuring ... but I am not familiar with your particular surgery: I do remember over the years reciting a familiar poem or a Psalm to settle myself down and also some abdominal breathing before being put to sleep.... agree with above and hope you can rest when you get home and give your whole body time to recouperate: thoughts are with you. J.

As a retired CRNA, you'll be fine! Perhaps, your surgeon should have given you a calming medication for your anxiety. Maybe they underestimated your mood pre-op. Let us know how you did.

@boecam Oh hi Boe... after i posted quick comment I thought the same thing....before I had goiter and half thyroid removed I did ask for something to calm my nerves... forget what they gave me .... but it calmed me so much I fell asleep ! True.. but I agree and I think we all put on a brave face... some calming meds should always be offered and not only when patient asks for it? J.

susanlwilson, you are probably still a little disoriented. How did you make it? Hope you are feeling well and bragging about it here, soon.

Good morning;
Thank you for the well wishes. It is scary anytime you go into surgery but I did have the most wonderful team. I think some surgical centers do not understand when a patient is wheeled into a surgical suite it triggers anxiety and panic in a way. You roll in and suddenly its real, there’s carts, and instruments and surgical techs getting ready and anesthesia machines and hoses and noises and its sterile and scary. Now my visit from start to finish.
I was brought in by front desk employee very nice and welcoming. As I looked over the room My surgeon actually noticed me in a room of people and waved to me. I hadn’t seen him in months and that alone was a good feeling. I told him i was so nervous and scared, he was so patient and kind to me and made me feel safe. I than had my pre-op with nurse, all good. Than came the Anesthesiologist, A good man, maybe 40-50. He assured me that all would work out well and would take very good care of me. When i told him about the feelings about going into the room he understood. When it came down to getting wheeled into the surgical suite, He put a-couple of meds into my IV which was very pleasant i have to say, he started to wheel me into the room and upon entering, that was my last thing i remembered. No scary entrance because I didn’t have to see all that was in the room. I don]t really remember waking up but the surgery went well, Staff was truly amazing! I can’t say enough about Mass Eye and Ear. I also wish you the best for your upcoming surgery.
I sat with the pre-op nurse who was kind and helpful.

@susanlwilson thank you for your post. I am 3 weeks out of tympanoplasty with graft surgery and an ear tube placement. I am having a difficult time with recovery as I developed an ear infection in my surgery ear and am dealing with unbearable fullness, very loud tinnitus and on and off pain. I am really hoping to feel better after my infection resolves. Has your ear fullness gone away yet and have you had your packing removed? Although I really needed to have the surgery, I’m not sure I would’ve gone through with it. Had I known what this recovery would be like! Hope you are doing well!!