you know, I had an operation on my finger once, I know its not the same, but I sliced the end off.
The hospital said I had to go general anethestic, but I got too hungry to wait, so they did a local instead, and I watched the whole thing. It is wierd that you can "feel" whats happening, but not feel pain, and to see the surgeon do his thing, and explain it all to me, that was priceless! If it could be done to everyone like that, I would recommend it, as it teachs you so much about the skin you are in