Blocked tear duct in toddler- surgery inevitable?

DS's tear ducts have been blocked since birth. His left eye cleared itself up when he was around 12 months old, but his right eye still usually has a tear coming out of it. We saw the eye doctor a month ago, and Peter is on the waiting list for surgery to open up the duct.

It is minor surgery (takes like 5-10 minutes), but of course its a general, so there are always risks, not to mention the joy of trying to get a toddler to fast pre-surgery. And of course like any mama, the thought of seeing my child have to undergo anything unpleasant or dangerous is disturbing!

If there is any way I can avoid it, I will. My research so far has not been terribly promising- massage of the duct is recommended for younger children usually. I'm just wondering if anyone has any other advice, or any experience with this. Or anyone who's child has had the surgery and can tell me all about it?

TIA!