No consultation pre hysterectomy

I'm sorry Kimski44 that your are feeling that you haven't been involved in the decision making around your planned procedure. I have just posted a piece on my husbands recent hospital stay where I am wondering if things have changed because of technology allowing several steps to be omitted from what we have come to regard as normal.

Yes but surelyKimski should be kept in the loop. Technology or not.

Yes, Samsara1, possibly although I had full consult for a relatively simple gallbladder op just a few months’ ago. The surgery went extremely well and I had virtually no pain or other things afterwards. I’ll read your post as well!
If one is flying on an aircraft, and suddenly the take off is aborted, or, coming into land, the landing is “thrown away” or perhaps, more dramatically you hear a loud bang whilst flying through turbulence caused by thunderstorms in the vicinity and the aircraft has been struck by lightning (all relatively common occurrences that both flight and cabin crew are used to) would you not like an explanation from the Captain at the earliest opportunity - even if the senior cabin crew has assured you there’s nothing to worry about? Most passengers would, I think.
Before major surgery, most patients would be pretty anxious and if Comsultants don’t understand why, and why a Consult is so needed and appreciated by the patients, we are going down a very third-world path I feel….

Kimski what about contacting the person who informed you? Or were you informed only on receipt of the letter?

My husband had lung surgery 18 months ago, he saw a consultant after a scan who told him he would need surgery and that he would be handed over to "my younger colleague who does robot surgery" for the operation. My husband never met the second doctor who did his surgery until after the op! He did feel though as if he had the information he needed beforehand.

Good luck.

Have you had a preop assessment, to ensure you’re physically fit for the procedure? Although they’re usually done by nursing staff they may be able to answer questions. I must admit, I’d not be happy to proceed without at least a phone chat with a surgeon.

I waited nearly three years for a similar op and then at the point of anaesthesia, they told me they were going to do a different operation instead! That has now failed and I’ve been waiting 18 months for an outpatients appt to start the process all over again. 😩

Not every patient is seen pre-operatively by the consultant themself, but you should have been seen by one of the senior doctors in the team who would be able to address any concerns you have. If no senior doctor from Gynaecology has seen you, something has gone awry, and to rectify that the secretary should be able to arrange for them to do so either before or at your pre-operative assessment.

Thank you for your replies (which sort of confirm that I have a reason to be anxious!!). I don’t normally suffer from anxiety about anything, but I am really worried.

The pre op assessment was the other day and I asked then about it; they gave me the phone number of the secretary but she couldn’t really do anything and just said she passed my questions on. The PALS, again I called, and they said they’d pass a message on as well. I left a message for them again today on their answerphone. (But that says they’ll get back in three working days - which is all that’s left before the operation).

I don’t want to shoot myself in the foot over this operation but I guess I will have the option to “cut and run” on the day from the hospital if I feel it’s not looking good…. I have heard rave reviews about this surgeon but also a couple of concerns (one very serious) so don’t know what to think.

Casdon

Not every patient is seen pre-operatively by the consultant themself, but you should have been seen by one of the senior doctors in the team who would be able to address any concerns you have. If no senior doctor from Gynaecology has seen you, something has gone awry, and to rectify that the secretary should be able to arrange for them to do so either before or at your pre-operative assessment.

Yeah, no, I haven’t been seen by or spoken to by any other Doctor (apart from initially by my GP) just her assistant, who is a nurse, and did my biopsy. Although it’s all quite quick, (so I assume it’s very precancerous, as this is the NHS we’re talking about) there would have still been enough time for a quick consult. I wish I’d paid for a private one now.

I had bowel cancer and had surgery for removal of part of my bowel and a stoma formed. Well informed beforehand by surgeon. I was told that the stoma would be reversed in the future and one day received an appointment for my surgery. I hadn't met with the surgeon regarding this since my first surgery 10 months previously. I didn't want the reversal but needed to discuss this with the surgeon so rang his secretary and asked he contact me ASAP. He rang me the following day and after discussing the proposed surgery agreed with me not to go ahead. Try the secretary again and suggest that if you can't have a chat with the surgeon before the day of surgery you might not be in a position, mentally, to go ahead.

WelshPoppy

I had bowel cancer and had surgery for removal of part of my bowel and a stoma formed. Well informed beforehand by surgeon. I was told that the stoma would be reversed in the future and one day received an appointment for my surgery. I hadn't met with the surgeon regarding this since my first surgery 10 months previously. I didn't want the reversal but needed to discuss this with the surgeon so rang his secretary and asked he contact me ASAP. He rang me the following day and after discussing the proposed surgery agreed with me not to go ahead. Try the secretary again and suggest that if you can't have a chat with the surgeon before the day of surgery you might not be in a position, mentally, to go ahead.

Thank you. So yes, have tried this again today and left a message on her answerphone ……. I’ve got to the point where I’m trying not to think about any of it now!!

I would not go ahead with such a major op without seeing the consultant first. You have questions to ask that you need answers to and that's reasonable. I would contact the secretary again and say quite calmly that you need a consultation before you're willing to go ahead even if it means having to wait for the op.
I would not rely on getting accurate answers at any pre op meeting with a nurse. My experience is that these pre op apts for bp checks etc are sometimes done by clerical staff or else very inexperienced nurses.

It’s major surgery but your pre-op nurse should have answered your ?s
I had total hysterectomy and removal of ovaries @45yrs old .. immediately into menopause..
It’s not unusual not to see consultant/surgeon now before your bid day.. wishing you all the best🤞

Big …

I think that is extraordinary.
They surely need your informed consent? They (a consultant) should explain your biopsy results, treatment options and explain any risks, and an anaesthetist (possibly technician) talk you through that side of things.
Did you say a nurse did your biopsy? That also sounds odd to me.
I would politely request an appointment with the doctor who is handling your case.
Best wishes. x

knspol

I would not go ahead with such a major op without seeing the consultant first. You have questions to ask that you need answers to and that's reasonable. I would contact the secretary again and say quite calmly that you need a consultation before you're willing to go ahead even if it means having to wait for the op.
I would not rely on getting accurate answers at any pre op meeting with a nurse. My experience is that these pre op apts for bp checks etc are sometimes done by clerical staff or else very inexperienced nurses.

So how so you define inexperienced nurse? You think all inexperienced nurses work in pre op assessment clinic?

I only met my surgeon and anaesthetist on the day of surgery, and then subsequently a few times afterwards.

I do think it’s quite normal.

Good luck

KIMSKI I sympathise with you. I had my ovaries removed about five years ago. Cysts were detected. I was told it would be keyhole surgery and I would go home on the same day. I waited in day surgery from 8.30am til 2.30pm, getting more and more anxious and feeling ignored. Eventually, the surgeon came. I had never seen him before and didn't even know his name. Later in the recovery room while I was still very groggy, he told me that keyhole surgery had not been possible and I had had a major operation. Then he disappeared and never came to the ward to explain what had happened.

I had an operation some years before that and how different it was! I met the Consultant beforehand, he was very reassuring and explained everything. He came to see me after the operation too.
I would not ever have another operation without having met the Consultant and the surgeon. I still feel traumatised by the memory.

That's a big operation to have without any discussion. Do you know why you are having it - the results of the scans, biopsies etc? They should have explained why you need it, what you will need in the way of care and if you will need hormone replacement or other treatment. Also the consequences of not having it or only part of it. I'm so sorry you have not been told properly.

I got better pre-op info from both consultant and anaesthetist before an oral biopsy to test cancerous cells - all NHS.

Good luck with it all.

Yes indeed, I agree wholeheartedly. I've seen the same gynecologist consultant three times this year, he is wonderful. Told me to contact his secretary and by-pass the GP if I wanted to see him again (NHS not private) he would see me a.s.a.p.

Probably all the testsscans etc you have had have mapped all the problems that need addressed hence the plan for surgery. We are accustomed to speaking with a person, not necessarily the person doing surgery but someone who would outline the process eg how long hospital stay, recovery, follow-up. Perhaps all that will be done when attending for op. Even contact your MP suggesting system leaves a lot to be desired, no communication especially. Or any political opposition person as they love to stir it and can get better results. Awful situation to be in.

LOUISA1523

knspol

I would not go ahead with such a major op without seeing the consultant first. You have questions to ask that you need answers to and that's reasonable. I would contact the secretary again and say quite calmly that you need a consultation before you're willing to go ahead even if it means having to wait for the op.
I would not rely on getting accurate answers at any pre op meeting with a nurse. My experience is that these pre op apts for bp checks etc are sometimes done by clerical staff or else very inexperienced nurses.

So how so you define inexperienced nurse? You think all inexperienced nurses work in pre op assessment clinic?

I would define an inexperienced nurse as one who doesn't know what she's doing! I have been to several pre op sessions with my late DH and the pre op person hasn't even been able to answer questions as to which meds should be stopped before an op leading in one case for the serious op being unable to proceed on the day because one med should have been stopped weeks before. In other instances less import and matters eg visiting or where exactly patient would go after op answered incorrectly and answers such as 'best to ask the nurse/doctor on the day really unacceptable!

I wish I could answer your question but I can't. I am due to have a hysterectomy in France. Unfortunately I couldn't have it done when he suggested as we are away for a few months. So he has arranged for me to come in and see him in August to do paperwork and set a date.

What is have found helpful (I'm quite anxious about the procedure) are support groups for anyone going to have a hysterectomy/pre and post op. Hysterectomy Sisters. Hysterectomy Healing. Hysterectomy Support and Shared Experiences. I tried to join a support group in the UK but they saw on my profile that I live in France (even though I'm British.) I think that group is Hysterectomy Sisters UK or Hysterectomy Support Group UK. I have found them helpful and sympathetic.

Good luck!

The groups I mentioned are on Facebook.