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Pre-op assessment done - but no operation date.

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Posted 1/18/2015 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi!
I am based in the UK - and was just wondering if anyone else on here has had an operation pre-assessment done without knowing when their operation will be done? I was told I couldn't have a date until this assessment was done - but I find most people know their dates in advance of this? I am getting really frustrated, just want to get the fundo op over and done with! I am not high risk and this is elective surgery! What's worse is I can't tell my employers as I don't know when I need time off - they need to make sure my job is covered for a few weeks.
Posted 1/18/2015 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi
I had my pre op assessment the day I signed my consent form without getting a date,I just got told told that it would be before the end of the year in 2014. Unfortunately due to problems with equipment for the surgery it's still not happened. The best person to speak to is the admission team at the hospital you are having the surgery at, they should be able to give you a date or an idea of when your surgery might be.

I'm based in the uk as well
Posted 1/19/2015 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Wend,
I will be giving them a call. It's getting beyond a joke for me. I have not signed any consent forms and the assessment team didn't have any clue if I should stop taking my HRT or not! To be honest I have spoken to the surgeons secretary a couple of times and she has not exactly been very helpful. Will wait a couple of days before I ring her as no doubt she will tell me she won't have my file back!
Posted 1/19/2015 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
I had the same prob as you in that the surgeon secretary's wasn't exactky the most friendly and helpful. The NHS is a wonderful thing on the whole and I appreciate we are very lucky but In my experience I had to become very thick skinned and make a nuisance of myself. I have had 2 referal letters "go missing" a set of results get lost and a pre op date letter sat in an in tray for weeks on end. I'd chase them up.
Posted 1/19/2015 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Trotters,
I will be calling the surgeons secretary on Friday - as by then my file should be back - and also the results from the pre-op assessment will be all done. I do worry about lost files etc, as when I was waiting for first referral for an endoscopy they lost the original letter my doctor faxed - and she had to do it again! It's taken months of backwards and forwards - and most of the people who have dealt with me have been really lovely - it's just the time scale! I just feel like my life has been on hold for the past few months!
Posted 1/20/2015 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
I know exactly what you mean, you just want to get the ball rolling and get things moving. Fingers crossed you get a date through really quickly.
Posted 1/21/2015 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
Also PALS is a good option as well . I've been on the phone today to my admission team about mine but still no date for me, they have the equipment installed to use but my surgeon has no spaces on his theatre list from now until the end of feb then no lists done. She is also trying to put me on another surgeons list to get it done. She said to me to get my gp to send a fax to the consultant secretary to say my symptoms are getting worse which they have over the last month.

Same with me for the pre op as it was done at different hospital in the trust they had to ring them and get what they needed tondo from them. Fingers crossed you get an answer on Friday
Posted 1/22/2015 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Wend,
I unfortunately do not have a choice of surgeon, not that I am bothered - as he is an excellent surgeon, but he is the only surgeon in the area who can do this operation! In some ways it is good - as I feel comfortable with my surgeon, the down side is I can imagine he is in demand and I may have to wait longer! I will be calling tomorrow to find out where I am on the list.
Posted 1/23/2015 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Well I called the surgeons secretary and got my date today - still a few weeks away - but I have 10th March. Was given a slightly earlier date but it got changed 3 hours later. Let's hope it doesn't change again! Just hope I don't have to do another pre-op too - but at least when you know the date you can work towards it - there's light at the end of the tunnel!
Posted 1/24/2015 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Good for u sweetie
Posted 1/24/2015 8:39 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Nannynaomi!
Hope you are feeling better and everything is going OK. I'm just glad that the operation isn't so far away. I suppose I have more than enough time to sort out the house and do lots of jobs that I won't be able to do after the op. Not sure my husband is too happy about having to do the weekly shop though - I fear a fridge full of burgers and pork pies... !!! :-)
Posted 1/26/2015 9:23 AM (GMT 0)
I have my Toupet Fundoplication set for the 3rd of February and was informed that a pre-op assessment is only valid for 6 weeks. If that elapses then another is required before you can be operated on, however it's possible they'd just get it done on the day as it's not exactly a complicated procedure!

I feel your frustration in regards to work, I'm dreading mine being cancelled or postponed on the day as my manager has had to remove me from the rota for 6 weeks (never mind being sat in a pre op ward all day just to be told it isn't happening!). I'm looking on the bright side though, I'm 24 and there's no way I'd be able to afford this OP without the NHS. I've already got so much oesophageal damage that my motility is impared, and I can only imagine what would happen if I had to deal with this for another 25 years or more.

Here's hoping it all goes well now you've got a date.

Jon

Posted 1/26/2015 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jon,
I did hear that the pre-op is only valid for 6 weeks too, and the very first date they gave me was within this time. However they have now given me a date 8 weeks from the pre-op, but told me I couldn't have the operation date until I did the pre-op. You need 7 days at least before op to be checked for MRSA as if this is positive you have to be treated before surgery can be done. I am at the docs on Friday. I will ask her. I can't understand why they can't give you a date then do pre-op.
Good luck with your surgery!
Posted 1/27/2015 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Was told today that 8 weeks is OK for pre-op assessment - and I won't need to do again. I think it depends on your health and the complexity of the operation you are having. There are some hospitals in UK that say it is valid for up to 12 weeks. Any way one less thing to worry about!
Posted 2/15/2015 10:24 AM (GMT 0)
OK so - I have my date - given to me about 3 weeks ago - supposedly in 3 weeks time on Tuesday and I still haven't had a confirmation letter yet! Do they think I will forget or lose the letter or something?! I'll have to ring that secretary yet again to get it sorted - sick of having to chase everything. I have to have the letter to show my work. I wouldn't mind - but the pre-op was OK - but they gave me no information what so ever what to do the night before or anything.
Posted 2/16/2015 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
That's a pretty poor show on your Trust's behalf Sweetie, I had a set date the day after my pre op (I had to ring up and book a date) and they sent me home with a mountain of leaflets regarding what to do/not do before going in, a diet sheet for post OP and hibiscrub to shower with the night and morning before. They actually sent all the leaflets a second time with my letter confirming the date!

My advice to you would be to keep chasing it up. Obviously you shouldn't have to, and it's pretty crappy conduct from them but with waiting lists the way they are these days at least you'll be confident in the fact that if it doesn't go ahead you did everything you could and all the blame is at their door.

I've since had my OP on the 3rd like it was arranged and I'm now on the mend with no problems. I hope you get the same results!
Posted 2/16/2015 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks JB,
I guess that's why the hospitals here are in such a bloody mess! I did ring today - to find the surgeon's secretary off (don't know for how long) and the admin who answered the phone telling me that you only get a letter the week before! I said - well I have to give proof to my work - and it's got to be sooner rather than later. This is actually causing me more stress than the thought of the actual operation. I just have this absolute dread it's going to be cancelled. I may or may not get a letter this week. It's a joke and I'm not laughing.
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