Waiting - Surgery Day pt. 1

My lasik surgery was scheduled at 1:00 PM on April 25, 2008 at the TLC Laser Eye Center in Atlanta, GA. I was told not to arrive early as there would be a wait before the surgery actually began. Well they were right. Four other patients showed up at almost the exact same time that I did.

Why on earth did we all have to be there at the same time is beyond me. As if I do not have better things to do than sit around in a waiting room. TLC should think about changing their name to TLC Laser Eye Waiting Center since I waited about an hour and a half before being prepped for surgery. To compensate for this, a movie was playing on a flat screen television in the waiting area.

The prepping stage is when the nerves really set in. I was brought back to a normal eye examination room where I was given blue booties/sock things to cover up my shoes. This is also where the numbing and antibiotic drops were placed into my eyes. The procedure was explained one more time, this go around with a tad more detail, but no hint at what would really happen.

I was also told that I would be given a stuffed animal, as everyone is given a stuffed animal to hold on to during the procedure. When I shot an odd look at the doctor’s assistant person who told me this, I was informed that the stuffed animal should be used as a type of stress ball and that I should squeeze it during surgery.

After a little blue doctor’s cap was placed on my head and cotton balls were taped over my ears, I was led to another waiting room. I was in this area for about 15 minutes before being led back to the actual surgical area.

Go to Part Two