So I’m getting a Septoplasty next week, and I am really nervous about it. Will it hurt? Will I say something stupid under anesthesia? Will my family coddle me afterwards? There are so many concerns I have that make me want to back out.
I’ll start with the background. I’ve had terrible post nasal drip and a stuffy nose for the last three years, which started after I had a cold or sinus infection the week prior. I’ve tried every medication to try and get rid of it (Flonase, Cetrizine, Hydroxyzine, Claritin, Zyrtec, etc), nothing worked. Eventually, I went to see an ENT after turning 18, she did a nasal endoscopy and said that I most definitely have a deviated septum. I got a CT scan later on and she said my sinuses looked great, but that there is a marked narrowing and indentation on my one side. She actually suggested I don’t get surgery, since she believed it was up to me to make the decision and what I thought would be best for my quality of life. I personally had no idea what to do, as I found all of this so confusing. I asked my other doctors what they thought and they said it was a good idea for me to get it done, as they also noticed the deviation and my one doctor who helped me with TMJ issues actually noticed it in a scan I had done on my face (this was before seeing the ENT). He said there was a ton of crap in my sinuses and that’s what’s causing my postnasal drip, and that I should get surgery on it. I decided to listen to him as he has given me so much relief in the last year (he tragically died of cancer a month ago), but I’ve decided that he is the doctor I trust the most.
Anyway, my fear of this began a couple of months ago. I’ve always struggled with the feel of metal against my body, but the actual fear started when my mom was getting a blackhead out of my ear when I was a kid. Either I moved or my mom slipped, but the metal tool she was using unintentionally went far down and scratched my ear canal. There was no major damage, it just scared me because it felt like it had gone pretty deep in there and scratched the bone area of my ear. Since then, I have been really skeptical of anyone touching my ears, or any part of my body where there are bones/cartilage. While I will be put under for my Septoplasty, I am really nervous that I will feel the metal or that it will hurt.
On top of that, I have no idea how the anesthesia will make me act. I’ve heard some people are fine, while others are saying a bunch of stupid stuff. I also worry because my mom had to tell me that I might feel sick afterwards, and to make sure to get an anti nausea medication (which was already the plan lol).
The last thing, which I know I’m overreacting about, is being coddled by my family afterwards. Oftentimes, when I have a procedure or something else done, my parents have a tendency to talk to me in a baby voice, and talk to me forever afterwards, which is what annoys me the most. The other half, asking how they can pamper me and nagging me about how and when to take my medications despite the fact that I stay on top of them.
Am I overreacting? Is this surgery really not that bad and I’m just freaking out for no reason? If anyone here on the Autism spectrum has had this done and felt similar to me, I would love to know how the surgery/recovery went for you.
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to have the concerns you have at the moment, but it sounds like you’ve already weighed the pros and cons and made your decision re: surgery and it seems like a reasonable decision to me. It’s just facing the uncomfortable reality of it that you have to brace yourself for now. I think the vulnerability will be your actual biggest discomfort.
I’ve had a few surgeries and the only thing I feel you might dislike physically is the needle they put in the back of your hand to feed the anaesthetic etc into. It’s really only a slight sting but I find it unpleasant - certainly not any kind of “hitting” sensation like your ear situation. I only tell you this so you know what to expect.
There’s really only a short period after surgery where you might (and maybe won’t at all!) say something nonsensical, but it’s usually dreamlike nonsense (not confessions of inner secrets!). Your parents/other half have probably heard you talk in your sleep already - maybe that’s an easier way to think about it.
Regarding the coddling: Perhaps some pre-prepared responses could help keep it to a minimum, reassure people (who sound like they care which is nice), and make them feel useful at the same time. Some suggestions/prompts:
Thanks (person), I’m actually quite tired at the moment, can you make sure there’s some water and (drugs) nearby and give me a call at (insert much later time) if I’m not up by then please?
I’m a bit tender at the moment but I think it’s healing well enough, it probably looks worse than it is, don’t worry!
I’ve got everything I need here but thanks for checking in.
You know what, I would actually love some (ice cream, soup, whatever believable post-surgery food). If you’re in the store could you grab me some please?
Sorry I have a bit of a short fuse at the moment, it’s just the (pain/meds) making me grouchy. Thanks for caring, I think i just need a bit of rest for now.
These are all dismissive though, don’t be too proud to ask for help if you have any concerns while you’re healing! And good luck, I hope the surgery brings you immense relief!
Edit: formatting
Thank you for this advice! It’s really reassuring. Surprisingly, I am actually ok with the IV administering the anesthesia, for some reason the mask never worked with me until they put the IV in lol.