I've got an apicoectomy scheduled next week and honestly, I'm kinda freaking out a bit. Dental stuff always makes me anxious, but this procedure sounds extra intimidating. Anyway, I've been trying to calm myself down step-by-step, and it's sorta working so far.
First, I made the mistake of googling way too much (don't do that, lol). After that panic attack, I decided to focus on practical stuff instead. I asked my dentist a bunch of questions—like exactly how long it'll take, what I'll feel, and what the recovery is really like. Knowing details helps me feel more in control.
Then I made a playlist of chill music for the waiting room and bought some comfy clothes to wear that day. I've also been practicing deep breathing exercises every night before bed, which surprisingly helps a little.
Still, I'm not exactly zen about it yet. If anyone's been through this or something similar, did you find anything else helpful to calm nerves beforehand? I'm open to any tips or tricks you might have.
"Then I made a playlist of chill music for the waiting room and bought some comfy clothes to wear that day."
That's honestly such a smart move—I did something similar before my wisdom teeth removal, and it helped a ton. Another thing that worked well for me was planning a little reward afterward, like picking up my favorite smoothie or ice cream (budget-friendly, of course!). It gave me something positive to focus on instead of just worrying about the procedure itself. You've got this...sounds like you're already doing great prep.
Haha, comfy clothes are a must—I wore my softest hoodie and sweatpants for mine, felt like I was wrapped in a blanket the whole time. Honestly, the anticipation is way worse than the actual procedure. You're already doing better prep than I did...I just binged Netflix the night before and hoped for the best. You'll be fine, promise!
"Honestly, the anticipation is way worse than the actual procedure."
Totally agree with this. I had an apicoectomy a couple years back and was seriously stressing myself out beforehand. Like you, I went full comfort mode—oversized hoodie, fuzzy socks, the whole deal. Honestly, it felt more like prepping for a lazy Sunday than a dental procedure, haha.
The actual procedure itself wasn't nearly as bad as I'd built it up in my head. The dentist numbed me up really well, and I didn't feel a thing besides some pressure here and there. The worst part was probably just hearing the sounds (I recommend bringing earbuds or headphones if your dentist allows it). I had my favorite playlist going, and it made a huge difference.
Afterwards, recovery was pretty smooth too. Just make sure you've got some soft foods stocked up—think mashed potatoes, smoothies, yogurt...basically anything you can eat without chewing much. I treated myself to a milkshake on the way home because hey, I deserved it after all that anxiety!
You're already ahead of the game by thinking through your prep so carefully. Netflix bingeing sounds like a solid strategy too—I mean, distraction is key. Whatever helps you relax and keeps your mind off things is perfect.
Trust me, once it's over you'll wonder why you worried so much in the first place. You've got this!
I totally get the anxiety about dental procedures, especially when you're trying to keep costs down. When I had mine, I found that prepping soft foods ahead of time saved money and stress—homemade soups and smoothies were my go-to. Also, seconding the headphones tip. Blocking out those dental sounds really helped me stay calm. Honestly, once you're numbed up, it's mostly just boredom and waiting. You've prepared well, so just trust yourself and your dentist. It'll be over before you know it.
