Never had any other surgery before...questions

I've never had surgery before, either, except for a tubal ligation. What I'm worried about are the steps to my apartment as I live on the second floor. Are steps going to be a problem when I first come home?

I am 45 and this is my first ever major surgery. I was very upset when I found out I would need a breathing tube. I am more afraid of the whole idea of being put under and having a machine breath for me than I am of the DaVinci Robotic Hysterectomy I am having. My doctor assured me that he has an excellent surgery team and that he has never lost anyone and he doesn't plan to lose me.

My surgery is scheduled for 3/19/14 and it will take me that long to be ready mentally. I have a softball sized fibroid and my uterus is the size of a 16 week pregnancy and still growing. I have been avoiding such a drastic solution to the pain, heavy bleeding and awful PMS I suffer from. My doctor said it is still my choice but eventually she will recommend this so I figure I should do it while I can control the situation.

I am also pretty nervous about my first major surgery because my regular doctor who is my friend and I love and trust with my life is not doing the surgery. She only does open hysterectomy's which I do not want. Other doctors in the practice use DiVinci so I feel good about that because she would not send me to him if she didn't think he was competent.

Hopefully I will become more comfortable as the date gets closer. Probably not!

I had a breathing tube inserted after I was asleep. Never noticed it. It was out when I awoke. No sore throat afterwards. My physicians nurse was very kind and patient answering questions for me the week prior to my surgery. Don't feel bad about being nervous. I was so nervous when I arrived at the hospital. My blood pressure was thru the roof. I had normal blood pressure at my preadmission testing. It was a new experience with the unknown. You'll do great!

Like everyone has said the breathing tube was something I was afraid of most. It was a complete non issue. Never knew it was there and when I woke up I was just thirsty. I would have no fears doing it again.

39 years old and first surgery. I already had my pre-op tests at my PCP office. No other pre-op appointments seem required with my Gyno Dr or hospital. I am also reading everything this site has to answer my questions. I am terrified of being put under, breathing tube, where will I wake up, what will I say... The list goes on and on...