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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask anyone in the NHS how day surgery lists are determined?

516 replies

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 14:43

As above

OP posts:
MrsMitford3 · 30/07/2025 18:08

TheyFuckYouUpYourMamAndDad · 30/07/2025 16:16

I’ve always been ‘first on the list’ as I have an allergy to latex. I assume they completely ‘de-latex’ the room for me and get rid of me early, so that ‘normal service’ can resume afterwards.

Same for both me and DD.

I guess a lot depends on who else is on the list!

MatildaTheCat · 30/07/2025 18:08

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 17:56

I’m not bothered by that. I’d rather not get it than sit and wait for 12 hours in a day surgery unit.

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But that could easily be the case with a future appointment by that argument?

If you have a morning slot the likelihood is that your surgeon will have other commitments in the afternoon and the unit will be busy admitting the afternoon list patients by 1pm. Day units tend to run a very tight ship.

Are you the same poster having difficulty with your father? If so please just have a snack before bed, tell him clearly that you will be in contact when you are ready ( actually probably the staff will) and take along something to occupy you. You really are overthinking this entire thing. You go in, wait your turn and then go home when you’re ready. All done.

That sounds patronising but it’s just the truth.

CastleCrasher · 30/07/2025 18:07

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:05

I think that simple, non complex surgeries should be done asap, instead of leaving me to sit and fast for hours upon hours, just to cancel!

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Think of the flip side of that. Should someone who is in pain, with issues that are affecting their everyday life, who's facing a risky surgery, complications and/or lengthy recovery have to wait all day worrying about their op, or be taken asap?

Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:06

CastleCrasher · 30/07/2025 18:05

I'm assuming that you are a bit anxious about this - its making you sound more than a little entitled and unreasonable though!

You may well usually eat your evening meal at a certain time, but that doesn't mean you can't eat supper shortly before the time the hospital has set your fasting time. It's a simple and sensible way to reduce hunger if you are waiting longer than expected.

You obviously want the procedure done or you wouldn't have got this far. Don't mess people around (and put yourself back to square one) by walking out of there is a delay. Bring a book/podcast etc and plan a lovely meal for afterwards. Hope the op goes well!

If you genuinely think making people sit until evening without eating is humane or okay, then that’s on you.

OP posts:
Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:05

Greybeardy · 30/07/2025 18:04

Fortunately how much tax you pay will not influence anything.
You are also choosing to over-fast.

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I wil eat dinner at the normal time and then that’s that - im not going to gorge on food.

OP posts:
Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:05

Greybeardy · 30/07/2025 18:04

Fortunately how much tax you pay will not influence anything.
You are also choosing to over-fast.

Show quote history

I wil eat dinner at the normal time and then that’s that - im not going to gorge on food.

OP posts:
Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:05

Greybeardy · 30/07/2025 18:04

Fortunately how much tax you pay will not influence anything.
You are also choosing to over-fast.

Show quote history

I wil eat dinner at the normal time and then that’s that - im not going to gorge on food.

OP posts:
CastleCrasher · 30/07/2025 18:05

I'm assuming that you are a bit anxious about this - its making you sound more than a little entitled and unreasonable though!

You may well usually eat your evening meal at a certain time, but that doesn't mean you can't eat supper shortly before the time the hospital has set your fasting time. It's a simple and sensible way to reduce hunger if you are waiting longer than expected.

You obviously want the procedure done or you wouldn't have got this far. Don't mess people around (and put yourself back to square one) by walking out of there is a delay. Bring a book/podcast etc and plan a lovely meal for afterwards. Hope the op goes well!

Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:05

BuddhaAtSea · 30/07/2025 18:01

Are you serious? Do you think it’s a nail appointment?

Show quote history

I think that simple, non complex surgeries should be done asap, instead of leaving me to sit and fast for hours upon hours, just to cancel!

OP posts:
Greybeardy · 30/07/2025 18:04

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 17:54

I pay enough in tax and I’ve waited long enough to not be left fasting until 5 or 6pm the next day.

Show quote history

Fortunately how much tax you pay will not influence anything.
You are also choosing to over-fast.

NancyJoan · 30/07/2025 18:02

I had a minor procedure last year. In the hospital for 7:30am, didn’t go to theatre until about 3pm. It’s was boring, and incredibly cold, but otherwise fine. Lots of podcasts, a magazine and a book for company. Was home by 7pm, and gobbled down some pasta carbonara.

BuddhaAtSea · 30/07/2025 18:01

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 17:54

I pay enough in tax and I’ve waited long enough to not be left fasting until 5 or 6pm the next day.

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Are you serious? Do you think it’s a nail appointment?

Kirbert2 · 30/07/2025 18:01

My son's last surgery which was his only planned surgery was quite early in the day but the surgeon had previously operated on him and she'd had him on her list for this date for months. He also had to fast for 2 days before the surgery as opposed to just the night before so they wanted him down ASAP as he was really, really struggling with not eating.

Ncforthiscms · 30/07/2025 18:01

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 17:56

I’m not bothered by that. I’d rather not get it than sit and wait for 12 hours in a day surgery unit.

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You can't need the surgery that badly if you are prepared to get up and leave 🙄

Hoardasauruskaren · 30/07/2025 17:57

SomethingDifferentBloomed · 30/07/2025 15:44

The order of an individual surgeon’s list depends on what is on the list. Those who would be unable to fast for long periods will generally go first (eg children, people with learning disabilities, people with diabetes etc). Often major cases will go first, and more minor procedures at the end of the list. Or they may group similar procedures together, or prioritise the more complex cases, or patients with particular anaesthetic concerns. So basically it really depends on the specialty, the surgeon, the anaesthetist, and the other patients on the list that day.

Are you waiting for an operation? Hope it all goes well!

Would agree with this! Quite a lot of variables. Good luck !

Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 17:56

thing47 · 30/07/2025 17:55

Just to clarify, diabetics only get priority if they are having a GA, which isn’t always the case with day surgery.

@ScuderiaSedici you should be aware that walking out (or cancelling) will, in some instances, result in you being de-prioritised on the surgeon’s list and you may have to wait some time before being offered another slot.

I’m not bothered by that. I’d rather not get it than sit and wait for 12 hours in a day surgery unit.

OP posts:
thing47 · 30/07/2025 17:55

Just to clarify, diabetics only get priority if they are having a GA, which isn’t always the case with day surgery.

@ScuderiaSedici you should be aware that walking out (or cancelling) will, in some instances, result in you being de-prioritised on the surgeon’s list and you may have to wait some time before being offered another slot.

NapoleonsToe · 30/07/2025 17:55

DryDays · 30/07/2025 16:20

It depends on many factors as pp have stated, for example orthopedics they would generally do a hip replacement on a younger fitter patient to get them out the wirhin a day or 2. An older , more complex patient would be later as would likely need at least a 3 night stay. Hope all goes well OP

The OP is asking about day surgery though, they aren't procedures that'd be done in a DSU.

Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 17:54

MounjaroNewb · 30/07/2025 17:52

Ok. Well let's stop the dramatics. You won't have fasted for 24 hours at that point. Unless you decided to skip dinner/supper the night before.

Yes there are reasons you might not be first, as documented on this thread. To be honest you're sounding a little entitled

I pay enough in tax and I’ve waited long enough to not be left fasting until 5 or 6pm the next day.

OP posts:
Neverthesame · 30/07/2025 17:53

I saw a documentary recently about the process in the hospital in my area. The doctors stood in a circle first thing in the morning to discuss their patients’ operations. The doctor being televised wanted his patient, a baby, to be first in the queue but ‘lost’ and he discussed afterwards why he was disappointed that other patients went before his.

MounjaroNewb · 30/07/2025 17:52

Ok. Well let's stop the dramatics. You won't have fasted for 24 hours at that point. Unless you decided to skip dinner/supper the night before.

Yes there are reasons you might not be first, as documented on this thread. To be honest you're sounding a little entitled

Greybeardy · 30/07/2025 17:52

Well if they’re separate sessions and you’ve been told to go in for the morning then it’s not going to be a problem. You should check the fasting times though - what you’re suggesting you’ll be doing is not standard.

Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 17:52

And I’ll be fasting that long because of when I eat dinner?

OP posts:
Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 17:51

Greybeardy · 30/07/2025 17:49

Is it an all day list or a separate morning and afternoon day? Is there a particular surgical reason you’ll be fasted that long (that’s not standard ‘anaesthetic fasting’…6 hours for food, 2 hrs for clear fluids). If you were later in the session then it would be normally to carry on drinking at least once the list order has been agreed. Unfortunately someone has to go last, but quite often we don’t know who that’ll be until everyone’s in on the day.

Morning and afternoon according to my leaflet, im in the morning session.

OP posts:
Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 17:50

MounjaroNewb · 30/07/2025 17:49

It's really not clear by 2pm! Our afternoon session starts at 2. Theatres run for elective surgery until 6pm.

What is it you're having done?

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And I’ve been told to be in the morning session. So if it gets to 2pm, I won’t be operated on. I’m having a minor sinus procedure, there’s no reason I shouldn’t be first.

OP posts: