My mum had one and made a point of not having general anaesthetic. She spent her working life as a physiotherapist in hospitals but has always had a fear general anaesthetic. As far as I understand it, she was quite relaxed through the operation.

I believe that apart from the transport on a rickety ambulance, she found the experience quite pleasant. I can't begin to work out how the NHS comes to such arrangements but from North Norfolk, she was offered the op in a Spire in Cambridge! I also believe that (I think it might have been close to Christmas but am not sure) she was one of few in the hospital and received pretty much exclusive attention!