Needle phobia is a common source of extreme anxiety for some patients. We see this frequently and there are many ways of helping you through your surgery. 

​

First of all I acknowledge the validity of the fear and the types of responses needle phobia can generate including fainting, panicking, and avoidance of Doctors.

​

I will discuss your specific concerns with you in as much detail as needed before your operation. We can agree on a plan for you to make it as smooth as possible. Sedating pre-medication tablets may be available on arrival to the hospital. We can apply EMLA cream which is a topical local anaesthetic and I have available super-small local anaesthetic needles which will considerably lessen any sensations during canulation.

​

While some patients may have gone to sleep in the past using "gas" to breathe rather than intravenous anaesthetic this will not be a primary choice but we can discuss this in more detail before your surgery.

​

​

​

​

​