Before all I could concentrate on was getting the insurance approval and a surgery date. Now that I FINALLY got approved and got my date all I can think about is going under anesthesia. I have never had surgery with general anesthesia. I want this so bad and don't want some small hurdle that I am making into such a large deal stop me.

The actual experience of going under is SO much less scary than the concept of it. Most likely, you won't even remember falling asleep. I've been under anesthesia three times, once for tonsils, once for gall bladder last summer, and for my RNY two months ago. The anesthesiologist will say something like "count back from ten" and I honestly can never remember getting past 9. When I had my RNY, the doctor asked me about my favorite place to be, and I VERY vaguely remember beginning to tell her about this beach in San Diego and then the next thing I know, I'm waking up. It's so much less of a big scary thing than it sounds. You'll be just fine, don't worry. I know that is easier said than done, but the scariness of it is just NOTHING compared to what it actually feels like and the great things that come after surgery.

It's a lot harder on your family in the waiting room. I had usually been the one to have surgery (I've had 5 since 2011) and always wondered what the big deal was. My husband had an appendectomy this summer. I thought I was going to die in the waiting room. The doctor was like "it'll take 45 minutes" 90 minutes later I hadn't heard ANYTHING and was freaking out.

I had my surgery on Oct 1st and I was absolutely terrified of going under... it was my biggest fear. Like you, I'd never had surgery with general anesthesia. I was worried that I would wake up during the surgery or even worse, never wake up. I had an awful time sleeping the night before. My stomach was in knots all the way to the hospital at 5am, and then waiting to go back for prep. My wife stayed with me all the way until they rolled me to the operating room. When she broke off to go to the waiting room, I had tears, I was a mess. I got to the operating room and I'm sure they saw the fear in my eyes. They had me get on the table, strapped my arms out to form a T, and put some monitors on. The anesthesiologist (who was not the one that came by and met me an hour earlier) never said anything to me until she said "I'm giving you some medicine now" at the same time the nurse had a mask over my mouth and said to breath... and that was all I remember. Next thing I know I'm waking up in the recovery room, completely at ease.

I know where you are... before surgery, I laid my fear out on here just like you. It definitely helped to get everything out, and it was awesome to read the responses from everyone that it would be ok. Knowing where you are, I understand there isn't much I can say to put your mind at ease. You are going to be scared, and that's ok, but don't cancel your surgery over it. Roll with the fear and I promise you'll be laughing about it the week after surgery.