My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

Gall Stones - how long did you wait for your operation?

10 replies

bigbluebus · 26/01/2013 17:03

DH had an attack of acute pain in Nov 2011, which GP said was gallstones.This was subsequently confirmed after an ultrasound in Jan 2012 and he saw a Consultant in April 2012.
By the time he got to see the consutant, he had not had any further problems, so decided to see how things went. Had another appointment with a different consultant in October and again had not had any further recurrance, so decided to leave well alone. The advice of both consultants was that it could flare up at any time and that surgery would be the best option. They were obviously anticipating further problems as they kept him on their books.
Fast forward to this week and, DH has had 2 further attacks (although not as bad as the previous one). I told him to ring the consultant and tell hom he has changed his mind and he will now have surgery. GP has prescribed medication and at present all is well again.
Consultants secretary would not commit herself as to how long it would be before DH gets another appt for clinic let alone how long he will wait for surgery.
I know there are a number of you on here who have had your gall bladder removed and was just wondering how long you have had to wait for non emergency surgery. I appreciate that this could turn into an emergency at any time! Also how long did it take you to recover after the operation.
We were hoping to go abroad on holiday in June and now I'm not even sure if we will get travel insurance, if he has not had the surgery by then!

OP posts:
Report
NoWayNoHow · 31/01/2013 17:26

I haven't had my operation yet, but have been given the date and it's 13 weeks since I was referred by the consultant for the surgery - I was told it would be about a 12 week wait.

As your DH has not followed through the with previous recommendations to have it removed, I would assume he's not on any waiting list yet, so you could work towards a 12 week deadline from his next appointment with the consultant.

Have no idea if that is a standard waiting list time, or just my primary trust...

Report
PoppyWearer · 31/01/2013 17:40

I was able to go private and could have had the op within a couple of weeks, but waited about two months in the end until it was convenient. And stuck to a very strict diet in the meantime. Is going private an option?

Recovery time was very quick, I was up and about a couple of days later, off painkillers within the week and what I'd call "fully recovered" after 10-14 days. I think they say two weeks off for office workers (I'm a SAHM).

Report
GloryWhole · 31/01/2013 17:45

I'm in Glasgow, and was told that it was a 12 week waiting list, but in reality i waited about 5 months from diagnosis at scan to the actual op.
5 months of sheer hell!
Definitely worth the op to never have to go through the pain of an attack again, and like the previous poster, i recovered really well and was up and about within days.

Report
tipsytrifle · 31/01/2013 18:54

I was never even offered a scan until my b/f at the time paid for a private consult which led to a scan. I'd suffered for ten years, wrecked my life and was pretty much suicidal by that time. From scan to NHS op was about five weeks I think.

Report
bigbluebus · 31/01/2013 20:54

Letter has come through post with appt to see consultant the week after next - so much quicker than expected. Hopefully he will find out then how long the waiting list is.
We have a severely disabled daughter for whom I am primary carer but DH has to help out in evenings and at weekends - so I cannot afford for him to be out of action for long or have a major medical emergency if he doesn't get surgery soon. We were so looking forward to our holiday as DS will finish school in June after GCSEs so we can go before main school hols start(can't afford school holiday prices) and we have booked DD into respite. Haven't had a proper holiday for 5 yrs. Now we daren't book anything, as not sure if we will get travel insurance for DH that will cover his gallstones if he hasn't had the op.
Don't think going private for the op is an option. We can't afford to pay ourselves and DH lost his private health insurance when he had to 'downsize' his job to help care for DD. We have one of those civil service health plan policies that covers certain things, will have to look up if gallstones is included. I doubt it though and if it does, it will only cover it if there is a long wait on the NHS.

OP posts:
Report
PoppyWearer · 31/01/2013 21:05

That sounds tough, OP.

I did have DH at home immediately post-op and then help from our parents as needed, but TBH the only things I couldn't really do after that first 24 hours were lifting the DCs and driving (for insurance reasons).

Report
bigbluebus · 31/01/2013 21:11

Poppy, how long were you not allowed to drive for? That will be a pain in the a**e as we live in a rural area.

OP posts:
Report
corblimeymadam · 31/01/2013 21:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PoppyWearer · 31/01/2013 21:22

No driving for 4-5 days. Check with your insurance company, but as with a c-section it's because you need abdominal muscle control for emergency stops. Trust me, it took a good few days before I felt able to control a car.

Report
bigbluebus · 31/01/2013 21:30

Thanks Poppy I think we could manage for 4 - 5 days. Was thinking you were going to say 6 wks like a C section!
Crickey belgian bun hope DH doesn't have to wait 12 months. Don't want this hanging over us for that long!

OP posts:
Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.