Your story seems to be the same as mine right up to the surgery part which I haven't experienced yet. I will be completely under which will be the biggest difference. I don't remember if I was given the option to be awake or not but I would have chosen sleep. I'm pretty good with the doctors messing with my eyes but surgery, nah. I'm only taking one eye drop now but have three types for post surgery. My time is pretty early also. 7:20 arrival, 8:00 surgery, 3:00pm post op check up so that's same day. I have the clear shield, the sunglasses, tape, etc. My left eye tonight is really bad. It's almost like the drops are doing something to it, maybe they are.