past ten years? It'd scare your socks off! Truly!!
Surgery IS a scary thing, from the 'unknown' viewpoint? But IF you know exactly what type of surgery you are going to get, between your doc's instructions for the before and webbing things up on the prep and aftermath stuff should become very very clear.
Yes, surgery IS an 'invasion' of your body? BUT, it also eliminates a heap of problems that could get worse if not having them done!
Take a 'risk analysis' of your pending surgery? You will learn that you'd likely feel better and, in time be able to get back to normal. But, listen to that 'in-time' part closely.
Only two things I can suggest about surgeries?
FIRST: Eat lightly and according to any directions your doc gives you!
Be prepared to take some sort of stool softener -why? Because pain-killers stop one up BIG time!
SECOND: IF ANYTHING seems 'off' from what your docs told you to 'expect' afterwards, during healing? CALL! Be as short and concise as you can about pain or other issues. Don't be shy at all with your docs!
Know that all the docs, techs and nurses are there to help you get better, not worse!
I know that I, for one, the two days before any surgery....tend to get well? Wound up! I rarely sleep well the night before and I go in, get zonked on anathesia and wake up in a somewhat 'different' world. I truly hope that the world you 'wake up' in is one with some relief!
Know too that being fit helps in your recovery! But, follow doc directions to the LETTER as you recover, maybe even with some PT to get you to re-learn how to use your 'fixed' body best.
Please let us all know how you end up? 's - j