How long did you wait for surgery?

Digestive health
1

Hi there,

I'm new to the board. I was diagnosed with small gallstones and partially calcified gallbladder walls last Friday following a week of GB attacks and my GP referred me to the surgical team on Monday.

I was wondering how long people had to wait between their referral and their surgery. There is no doubt in my mind that I want my GB out ASAP. The bland low fat diet is already grating on me and the fear of eating is awful

Patience has never been a virtue of mine when I'm ill.

2

Hi, referred july 14th operation 8th november 2015

3

I waited two weeks. I had an attack; the next week had ct scan; next week had surgery. It only took one attack for me! Keep me informed about how you do after surgery.  rolleyes

4

Hi hollysuzanne I saw consultant on weds 28 January and op booked for April. 

5

Hard to say as it will depend on the operating lists. Once referral mine was just over 4 weeks. Once you have seen the consultant and he will be taking out the gallbladder then wait about a week ring the consultants Secretary up and ask if they can give you an approx date. If in between time your ill ring the Secretary again to see if they can bring it forward.

6

Unfortunately I have been on the waiting list for 7 months now with 5 ambulance trips and a stay in hospital with pancreatitis caused by a gallstone. And I just keep getting told there are lots of people still ahead of me. Its awful.

7

Are you all on a one payer sysytem? That is why I do not like that sysytem. Your wait time is too long and one has to suffer. Hopefully, you will get those out soon!

8

Im in uk and an NHS patient. If I wanted the operation sooner as a private patient I would have to pay £5000 plus for it. 

9

I'm strongly considering getting a loan and going private. I'm a student midwife and its affecting my course sad I just wish I knew what the waiting time was for my area so that I could prepare either way. Thanks for your replies.

10

As said before, ring Secretary, I did at they could tell me how long the list was.

11

Thanks Janet, I'll give that a try on Monday x

12

Hi, you could also ask surgeons secretary if they have a cancellation list if you are able to have surgery at a few days notice. I got a call on a tuesday asking if I wanted it done that thursday. I didn't I needed time to worry and stress about the op !!!! But they got me in the week after that. Im also in the uk.

13

I will try that although I think I will have to wait until I've had the initial consultation with the surgeon. At the moment I've only seen my GP. I'm having attacks every other day at the moment trying to figure out what I can and can't eat. Tomatoes and anything to stop based is a no for me sad

14

Hi, sorry I misunderstood I thought you had seen a surgeon.it only took 2 weeks from gp refering me to initial appointment with surgeon. As far as eating goes everyone seems to be different. I have put to someone else so sorry if you've already read this bit else where. For me I could eat breadsticks, gingernuts, homemade soup, peppermints helped and drinking more water and fresh apple juice not concentrated.

15

Sorry I probably wasn't clear enough. My referral letter was sent on Monday and I haven't heard anything yet from the surgical team. I may still contact them on Monday to check they have received my referral and see if they can give me an idea of timelines. I'm a student midwife and due to be working in the hospital that day so may even wander down on my break - I just don't want to seem TOO pushy and get myself thrust to the bottom of the pile!

16

Ooooh I'd play it to your advantage and causal go to that department n 'chat' to someone!!! Should have some perks working for nhs:-).

17

:-)

18

I'll give it a try. Frankly I'd get down on my knees and beg if I thought it would make a difference!

19

Yes, stay away from anything acidic.I hope you get your surgery soon!

20

Hello I start having GB attacks at the end of my 1 Pregnancy back in July, after many trips to E&A, I finally was diagnosed with gallstones in September. When I had my pre surgery assessment, the surgeon told me that he was going to try to do my op within 18 weeks. I went in shock to think I had to wait that long for the op. I was very scare like you to eat anything that would trigger the pain. After that, I had a few more horrendous attacks, until  one time was sooo bad that I returned to the E&A, where they told me I had to have emergency operation due to developed pancreatitis. That was in October. Hope that your op will be soon because I know how GB pain feels like.