Surgery without pain management?

What can I do to help tolerate the pain during a surgery that requires me to be awake and without the benefit of any pain management.

I had a couple procedures done without anesthetic or pain medication for a herniated disc in my lower back. I have an above average pain threshold but they still hurt. I would suggest learning some breathing and concentration technique before hand, making sure to practice them before and so you are prepared. I have found concentrating on a picture, object or spot on the wall useful. If they let you listen to music, bring your iPod. And try meditation in terms of creating in detail a fantasy environment. Don't just think of a tropical island, think of the kinds of trees are there and the fruit that grows on them, think of how good that fruit tastes, etc. Also, I would ask if you can have a friend or family member in there to hold your hand. Probably not, but it does help. For one procedure I had to have dye injected into my spinal discs and lay face down on a table for a couple hours why they put needles through all the layers of skin and muscle surrounding the discs. I started to cry so one of the assistant doctors held my hand. The best thing to do is to accept that you will feel pain and try to work through the fear and anxiety you have surrounding that. Good luck, I know these kinds of things are scary but you can get through it. Make sure you have someone you trust going with you or picking you up so you don't have to worry about being emotional in front of them.