I totally get the urge to overdo it—I always feel like if I’m not squeaky clean, something bad will happen. But honestly, the staff barely blink an eye unless you show up covered in mud or something. I used to obsess over flossing right before my braces adjustments, thinking it’d make a difference, but they just get straight to work. Do you think the pre-op nerves ever really go away after a few procedures, or is it just part of the deal?
Do you think the pre-op nerves ever really go away after a few procedures, or is it just part of the deal?
Honestly, I don’t think they ever fully disappear—at least not for most people. It’s pretty normal to feel a bit on edge, even if you’ve been through it before. That said, knowing what to expect does help some folks relax a little more each time. I’ve seen patients who still get jittery on their fourth or fifth visit, and others who start cracking jokes as soon as they sit down. It’s just one of those things that’s different for everyone. Out of curiosity, does having a good routine before surgery help you at all, or does it just add more pressure?
I get what you mean about routines—sometimes they just make me more aware of what’s coming up, which can crank up the nerves. On the other hand, having a “night-before-surgery checklist” does help me feel a tiny bit more in control… or at least like I’m doing something useful instead of just doomscrolling and overthinking. I’ve tried everything from obsessively charging my phone (because obviously I need 100% battery for hospital memes) to setting up my favorite playlist for the morning ride.
But yeah, even after a couple of procedures, that weird combo of butterflies and “should I have shaved my legs for this?” never totally goes away. Maybe it’s like software updates—no matter how many times you do it, there’s always that moment where you’re not sure if everything will reboot okay.
Does anyone else end up packing like they’re going on a three-week vacation? Or is that just my way of distracting myself?
Does anyone else end up packing like they’re going on a three-week vacation? Or is that just my way of distracting myself?
I totally get this. Before my wisdom teeth surgery, I packed an entire tote bag with snacks (which, looking back, was pointless since I couldn’t eat solids for days), three books, and enough chargers to open a small electronics store. It’s like if I have every possible comfort item, maybe I’ll magically feel more prepared. But honestly, the only thing I really touched was my chapstick and a travel toothbrush. Guess overpacking is just my weird version of stress management.
It’s like if I have every possible comfort item, maybe I’ll magically feel more prepared.
This is exactly it for me. The night before my jaw surgery, I packed a bag with two sweatshirts (even though the hospital was roasting), a whole folder of paperwork I never looked at, and even a tiny stuffed animal from childhood. I kept thinking if I had all my “just in case” stuff, maybe it would make the whole thing less scary. In the end, like you, I only used chapstick and my phone charger.
I always wonder if anyone else gets stuck on the “cleanliness” part too? I spent forever deciding if I should shower right before bed or in the morning, and then changed pajamas twice because what if the first ones “weren’t clean enough”? It’s like my brain latches onto these tiny details as a way to avoid thinking about the actual surgery. Did anyone else get obsessive about silly things like that, or is that just anxiety doing its thing?