So, I'm definitely excited to change, get healthy and be a better me. But I'm super terrified of needles, I'm terrified of being put to sleep & I'm terrified of those minor procedures before actually getting surgery. How can I keep calm and keep a clear mind so I don't continue to stress myself out? Help please.

I don't mean to belittle your fear at all when I say this, but this comment is so very true. I remind myself of it ALL the time. "Fear is as deep as you let it be". You are LETTING yourself have these fears. You are CHOOSING to be afraid. You have to DECIDE NOT to be afraid of these things. When you realize you are in control of your fears, and you have the chance to "lessen" the fears, you feel a great strength and peace within you. It's your choice....are you CHOOSING to be afraid or are you CHOOSING NOT to be afraid? It's one or the other!

I understand your emotions. Been there! One day soon you'll look back and say to yourself..."Wow, look at what I've accomplished!!!" That's a feeling no one can ever take from you!!! You will do JUST FINE!!!! I believe in you!!!

My secret to success was to live in denial - really! Each time I felt the butterflies in my stomach beginning to flutter, I'd tell myself that today was an ordinary day like any other and pretend that the surgery was not going to happen. If I had to, I'd take it hour by hour. I'd tell myself, "If I can make it through this hour and I still want to back out, I can." But I'd get through the hour or day and the stress went down as I got used to pretending it wasn't going to happen. Even as I lay on the gurney in the O.R. prep room, I was thinking, "I can just get up and walk out at anytime if I want to." Knowing I had the choice made all the difference.

Mental imagery and deep breathing! Everything is in the hands of your HIgher Power! Enjoy the ride and think postiveily!!

_{I'm right there with you...I HATE needles. I can handle spiders, snakes, mice, but in now way can I handle needles. Have been this way since childhood.}

_{My doctor gave me a prescription numbing cream that is stronger than the over the counter kind. Mine had both lidocaine and prilocaine. Most over the counter creams have a small amount of lidocaine, but do work in general. I just know that I didn't feel a thing. Not the blood draw for the lab and not the IV insertion into the top of my hand. They didn't tell me they were going to give me some shot in the muscle of my left arm, so I was unprepared and almost fainted.}

_{We are the way we are. Some people just can't handle some things, even if they seem like the smallest or easiest thing to others. My friend is weirdly and deathly afraid of horses...she can't even get near a horse statue or painting. It is just the way we are all wired.}