First Lap in less than 3 weeks and have heard nothing from surgeon or hospital - should I be concerned? (Northern Ireland)

[eamc]

Hi everyone, I’ve ended up going private for my surgery as after a year and a half on the waiting list without even an assessment the quality of my life was really starting to be affected!

I had a private consultation back in December and was scheduled for surgery in January. Due to university demands I cancelled the surgery and rearranged for July.

I have not heard anything from my consultant or hospital since even though I’m meant to be going for my lap in three weeks. I have so many questions and feel I haven’t been properly consented for the procedure. For example, I don’t know if it’s solely diagnostic or if it will be removed? I don’t know how long I’ll be under? What to expect immediately after surgery? Complications etc.

Is this normal to feel this unprepared? Will I be offered some sort of pre op appointment?

Would really appreciate some opinions on this/reassurance 😔

[Laura_T]

If you have gone private I would have thought they’d get you in with consultant to discuss what will happen and also a pre assessment with a nurse to check your bloods etc. I would defiantly give them a call and ask them what the score is. I would expect this treatment on nhs but not private as you pay for a service. I’ve had cosmetic surgery which was obviously private and I had appointments before, consultant was even emailing me before and after.

[eamc in reply to Laura_T]

Yes I expected more going private to be honest. I emailed and was told I can either email through my questions or arrange a consultation. I suppose I thought they themselves would be keen (and legally obliged) to provide this rather than me having to pursue it 🤷‍♀️

[Laura_T in reply to eamc]

That’s crazy. Of course you want to have a consultation before hand. You don’t want to go there on the day and find everything out and be even more stressed. If you’ve never had this procedure before it’s even more important to know before hand. I get that the consultants are all busy but it’s private x

[AngelaW1234]

Call them- if they’re private you should be able to get through easily (unlike NHS) and they’ll be really helpful

[eamc in reply to AngelaW1234]

I contacted them and was told to email through my queries, still waiting for them to be answered 🤷‍♀️

[Josiejo77]

I had a post lap check up at 4 weeks. This was just to check how the stitches were healing. It was a very basic check. Also schedule another at 4 months . Give them a chase and get one booked in

[Elb88]

I went private in the south too and I had to call the secretary a week before to check it was still going ahead! Had no pre op appointment just the initial consultation and was consented day of surgery! Can’t hurt to give them a call?? Good luck!