laparoscopy - what shall I ask my consultant?

[Regblue]

I’ve got an NHS consultant appointment tomorrow following my MRI scan which has shown endo.

I think he’s going to list me for surgery on the NHS based on what I know so far (I paid to see him privately a few weeks ago to move things along to get my scan results explained to me and he said I’d need a laparoscopy).

Based on others experiences, what questions do I need to be asking tomorrow and what do I need to find out during my appt? I’m trying to be prepared and make sure I go in with a list of things to ask.

thanks in advance!

[GreenViolin]

Think about what matters to you, as we all have different things we worry about in these circumstances, but some good places to start are how long will you need to wait for surgery, what happens beforehand (pre-op), how long will surgery take, how long will it take to recover and how much time will you need to be off work, is he going to excise any endometriosis he finds, or is it diagnostic surgery only, does he foresee any complications?

[E-ZEE in reply to GreenViolin]

If he is NHS doctor, check his online reviews and make sure the centre is BSGE centre .

[E-ZEE]

The first thing you need to ask if its excession or ablation surgery.If its excession consider it and if it ablation its a big NO as it will reoccur very soon after surgery.What you expect after surgery is another big question.

[Faylen34]

Things I did ask plus things I wish I'd of asked :

Excision or ablation

Robotic or laproscopic

Is there any sign of endo on organs

Fertility complications / tests (if relevant)

How long is the waiting list

Can I be put on the cancellation list

How long is surgery

Who will be in theatre (I needed colorectal and urologist)

Will anything be sent off for testing

How to prepare (I had to do bowel prep)

Recovery times what is normal what isn't

Pain relief post surgery

Hormonal therapy post surgery (for me I'm still on prostap for a bit after surgery)

Follow up post surgery

Sick note for work

Is there support I can access while I wait for surgery (my specialist has an endo nurse working with her who runs lifestyle support sessions for women with endo)

Good luck x