As a 20-year-old about to begin my third year of college, I suppose it was kind of rare that I was able to hang on to my wisdom teeth for as long as I did. Growing up, they were always mentioned at my regular dentist appointments, but didn’t really become an issue for a long time. I finally had to get all four removed this past summer, as a couple of them were really starting to hurt me. Though those of us who have undergone this procedure may have had different experiences, there are several thoughts that surely have passed through the minds of us all:

1. Is this anesthesia really going to work?

I am all in support of modern medicine, but when it comes to my own sedation, I couldn’t help but feel a little skeptical. What if the IV falls out? What if I wake up in the middle of the extraction? What if this rapidly turns into a situation that scars me for life?

2. How could that have possibly happened so quickly?

I, for one, do not remember much at all about the actual procedure. One second, the oral surgeon was telling me he was about to push more medicine through my IV, and the next thing I know, I was awake and (somehow?) walking back to the car with my Mom. How did that only take 45 minutes? Are you sure you got all four of them?

3. That actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

For me, the first day of recovery was bliss. My face was still mostly numb for a majority of the day, and people kept bringing me smoothies and ice cream. The pain meds kept my head up in the clouds, and it was perfectly acceptable for me to lay on the couch for the entire day, intermittently napping and watching Netflix. Can I get my wisdom teeth out every summer?

4. Just kidding, it actually is that bad.

Nobody warned me that the second day would be so bad! After all traces of the initial pain meds and anesthesia wore off, I felt terrible. My face was beginning to swell, and the prescription meds from the doctor made my stomach feel sour and sick. Would I rather be in pain, or nauseated to the point where I barely want to move? I spent most of day two pondering this dilemma, feeling as though I could not win either way.

5. Why isn't there any medicine to help my face stop swelling?

Things took a turn for the better after the end of fateful day two. I felt much less nauseated, more alert, and the soreness was starting to subside a little. Considering I hadn’t seen the great outdoors in two full days, wouldn’t it be nice to get out and get some fresh air? Be exposed to the outside world? Yes. Yes it would. Too bad you look like a chipmunk storing nuts and seeds in preparation for a very long winter…

6. Quick, somebody quiz me!

Don’t pretend like you weren’t at least a little relieved that despite losing your wisdom teeth, you remained just as wise.