IV question

After reading some peoples experience at various hosptials, is it true that you don't have any ivs until you are put under?  Or do you get an iv prior to the surgery?

Thanks as I am terrified of needles!

I can only speak about St Joes in Hamilton. They give you the iv before surgery.

good question to be asking your clinic. 

different rules, different hospitals. you are best to ask what is the protocol at your hospital.
I had a pic line inserted the day before surgery - I had bad veins so had the IV inserted by my elbow.

at HRRH you have teh iv just before being put under.  Most, if not all hospitals do it that way, that's how you get the medicine that puts you to sleep. If you're really taht anxious about it, see if you can get some lorazepam about  a half hour before they put in the needle.