I just had surgery two weeks ago. I hate to think that $$ matters, but this one was at a ortho unit owned by the ortho doctors who owned it, and it was almost like a concierge experience. DH is my advocate, since I have PTSD and anxiety due to my terrible surgery experience two years ago (different hospital obviously).
I was asked MANY questions ahead of time by my doctor, the preoperative staff, and two anesthesiologists, all of whom took my concerns and mental issues seriously. What really gave me confidence was that they all said, "We want you to have a good experience. At ANY time, you can ask us to slow down or even stop."
I don't know if they labeled my chart "crazy lady" or what (jk), but the minute I got there I was treated with kid gloves. My DH was encouraged to stay with me until the last possible second. The first nurse who came in to do my i.v. went and got "the best" at it, and then the two of them took a long time to make sure it went as well as possible, stopping between steps, being truly sympathetic, etc.
I was terrified because I was getting a nerve block for the first time, but the anesthesiologists came in and promised me I wouldn't know a thing. I was crying so hard, they said, "Your DH can't stay in here, but he can stand right outside and if he hears you in pain, we will eat our hats." No, I don't remember it
.
I don't remember anything from that point to recovery. DH was worried because I was in recovery longer than expected, but it turned out that when I started to come out of it badly, the anesthesiologist came in and added to (redid?) the nerve blocks. They went out and told him as soon as it was done.
Thanks to the blocks, I didn't have the nausea and memory fog I've experienced in the past post surgery. I was in for 24 hours, and pain control was handled perfectly, with me never being made to feel rushed or a wimp. Before I was discharged the anesthesiologist came in again, adjusted it all, and made sure that my take home pack was full up.
Sorry for the book, I would just say advocate for yourself, make sure you have someone with you to advocate for you when you can't, and never let them make you feel like a bother, or a wimp, or as though you're just on an assembly line.
Terri