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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:
Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 22:18

Gwenhwyfar · 30/07/2025 22:15

Why is a tooth removal more awkward than other operations? Yes, an impacted wisdom tooth is a bit awkward, but it's usually quite a short operation. When I had mine I had already not been able to eat properly for MONTHS so having to be nil by mouth longer than others would have enraged me.
I'd really like an explanation for this.

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Some of it does seem a little backwards to me. I’m a simple surgery, healthy, no indications that there will be an issue. Surely you get me out asap, so that a bed is free for anyone else who needs it

OP posts:
Greybeardy · 30/07/2025 22:18

Gwenhwyfar · 30/07/2025 22:15

Why is a tooth removal more awkward than other operations? Yes, an impacted wisdom tooth is a bit awkward, but it's usually quite a short operation. When I had mine I had already not been able to eat properly for MONTHS so having to be nil by mouth longer than others would have enraged me.
I'd really like an explanation for this.

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wisdom teeth can be absolute pigs to get out! Definitely not always a quick and easy operation.

Rosscameasdoody · 30/07/2025 22:16

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 17:52

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

So the last time you eat will be 2pm the day before surgery ? That’s really up to you though - not something you’ve been specifically asked to do.

youalright · 30/07/2025 22:16

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 22:14

I’m watching my destination x. Not sure I totally understand it but it’s fun!

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Il have a look im always looking for new things to watch

Gwenhwyfar · 30/07/2025 22:15

lanthanum · 30/07/2025 15:37

It might also be clinical reasons. When I had a wisdom tooth out, I was the last one in because mine was the most awkward and so more likely to overrun.

Why is a tooth removal more awkward than other operations? Yes, an impacted wisdom tooth is a bit awkward, but it's usually quite a short operation. When I had mine I had already not been able to eat properly for MONTHS so having to be nil by mouth longer than others would have enraged me.
I'd really like an explanation for this.

Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 22:14

youalright · 30/07/2025 22:12

Perfect what are you watching?

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I’m watching my destination x. Not sure I totally understand it but it’s fun!

OP posts:
Rosscameasdoody · 30/07/2025 22:13

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 17:43

Because I’ll have been fasting for near on 24 hours at that point and if it’s got to 2pm and I’ve not been operated on, it’s quite clear u won’t be operated on that day!

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Nope. I’ve been on day wards for surgery and the last patient has gone down to theatre much later in the afternoon than 2pm - more like 5 or 6pm depending on the length of the list. If you leave, you’re likely to go to the bottom of the list again. And why would you have been fasting for 24 hours by 2pm the next day given that the standard advice is nil by mouth from midnight the night before, or in many cases 6am that morning ?

youalright · 30/07/2025 22:12

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 22:09

I still feel ready to throw up! But I have got into a tv show tonight, so that’s helpful

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Perfect what are you watching?

VaccineSticker · 30/07/2025 22:11

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 17:43

Because I’ll have been fasting for near on 24 hours at that point and if it’s got to 2pm and I’ve not been operated on, it’s quite clear u won’t be operated on that day!

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You will be okay. Many Muslims fast way longer than 2pm and are fine.
It is a one off and it will be over before you know. Best wishes!

Hectorsmother · 30/07/2025 22:10

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 17:43

Because I’ll have been fasting for near on 24 hours at that point and if it’s got to 2pm and I’ve not been operated on, it’s quite clear u won’t be operated on that day!

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Why are you fasting for 24hours? Is that what you've been specifically asked?

Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 22:09

NapoleonsToe · 30/07/2025 22:07

You sound a bit less distressed now OP, I'm pleased. Please do read all of Greybeardy's posts, she's an anaesthetist and is giving you great advice Just to be clear, I don't know her, just worked in theatres for years myself (ODP) so always notice anaesthetists on here.

Good luck with everything, please do let the staff know how you are feeling - they won't laugh. Take care.

I still feel ready to throw up! But I have got into a tv show tonight, so that’s helpful

OP posts:
Rosscameasdoody · 30/07/2025 22:09

I think it depends on what the surgery is for. I had a mastectomy in December as a day case and it was clear that the order of priority was down to the surgeon as he advised I was first on the list, early morning, because I have underlying health problems and he wanted to give me the majority of the day to recover so that I didn’t have to be kept overnight.

NapoleonsToe · 30/07/2025 22:07

You sound a bit less distressed now OP, I'm pleased. Please do read all of Greybeardy's posts, she's an anaesthetist and is giving you great advice Just to be clear, I don't know her, just worked in theatres for years myself (ODP) so always notice anaesthetists on here.

Good luck with everything, please do let the staff know how you are feeling - they won't laugh. Take care.

Topsyturvy78 · 30/07/2025 22:05

DD had gone in for the day age 16 she was booked into the day unit. She was put in a side room not a bay so away from people eating. Because she of her SEN and having the mind of someone much younger she went down first.

My ds went in as a day patient also age 16. I asked for him to go in the day unit as well after good experience with dd. But was put on children's ward though. Also has SEN andthe mind of a much younger child. they never took that into account. He was 1 of oldest So next to last to go down. They also served toast to a child in bed opposite which I did say I didn't want him seeing people eating.

Purplepinkfairy · 30/07/2025 22:01

Multiple factors, it's the surgeon that makes the list kids and diabetic usually get priority. Anyone that is being kept overnight may go later. Also depending on the unit that sterilises the equipment.

Iizzyb · 30/07/2025 22:00

I was last on the list (burns surgery). Baby was first, then a teen, then me middle aged). Been fasting all day. Went down for surgery 4.30pm. Rang to be picked up about 8.

it was a long day for me waiting but that poor baby x

NeedToAskPlease · 30/07/2025 21:46

Blushingm · 30/07/2025 20:40

16 year olds are still paeds and have been under paeds for years but they’re adult sized

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Not in my hospital... children and adults are on the same lists as the same surgeon operates.

Kirbert2 · 30/07/2025 21:39

FurForksSake · 30/07/2025 21:23

Yes, with paeds and major surgery much more routine to be seen afterwards. Day surgery where I’ve had surgery and have worked it’s just not feasible for them to see everyone and get everything else done and there is the hope that you can be discharged quickly and then have a post-op follow up in clinic if needed.

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That makes sense. I only have experience with my son so paeds and his first few surgeries were major and sudden.

FluffPiece · 30/07/2025 21:38

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:53

So to make us as safe as possible, they make us all starve ourselves!

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patients fast before an operation to prevent vomiting and aspiration once you are anaesthetised. We don’t ask patients to fast for shits and giggles. Hmm

NeedToAskPlease · 30/07/2025 21:36

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 21:17

Yes, my paperwork says not to!

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Because it stimulates the gastric juices

Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 21:35

taxidriver · 30/07/2025 21:30

you dont need a private autism diagnosis
go to psychiatry.uk
right to choose, via your GP
some people only wait weeks

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How does that work? Do I put a form in?

OP posts:
Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 21:34

Apothecary266 · 30/07/2025 21:30

Well you should have asked all this on your pre op appointment over the phone. Autistic or not, you don't just get to decide the way that you think the lists should be organised is correct. And I say this as autistic myself and having autistic children. Rather than sit there and spout vitriol why don't you actually do something and contact the department for the information you require.

I wasn’t given a chance - I was just taken through the questions. I wasn’t aware at that time that the surgery would be so close!

OP posts:
taxidriver · 30/07/2025 21:30

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 19:54

I need to have control. I suspect I’m autistic (backed up by my parents, but I can’t afford a private diagnosis). I need to be in control and the thought of being out of control quite honestly is unbearable to me. To the point I have anxiety attacks

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you dont need a private autism diagnosis
go to psychiatry.uk
right to choose, via your GP
some people only wait weeks

Apothecary266 · 30/07/2025 21:30

Well you should have asked all this on your pre op appointment over the phone. Autistic or not, you don't just get to decide the way that you think the lists should be organised is correct. And I say this as autistic myself and having autistic children. Rather than sit there and spout vitriol why don't you actually do something and contact the department for the information you require.

Greybeardy · 30/07/2025 21:29

Britneyfan · 30/07/2025 21:13

Ah ok that makes sense then, they must have done one or the other! I totally understand what you mean about non latex gloves as I’m a GP and the non latex ones just aren’t as good, especially the cheaper end ones (which of course is what the NHs likes us to have 🤣). But luckily I don’t have a lot of call for it in my work at least now we are past 2020! Can I ask as I’m thinking maybe you’re a surgeon, do you know what the sticky stuff is for surgical drapes? Because I came up in an awful clearly allergic rash (in a square pattern lol) to that after my op! So must be allergic to something in that too for goodness sake. I know I am allergic to Elastoplast but I did tell them that.

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mere anaesthetist rather than a surgeon! No idea what the sticky stuff in the drapes is I’m afraid (not latex though because the packs aren’t marked) - it’s not that uncommon to see a bit of a mark afterwards, but I’ve never seen a proper allergy to drapes. I’ll look it up when I’m back at work…you’ve got me thinking now! Did they use chlorhex skin prep? That’s quite dramatic pink so can make skin look more irritated….or chlorhex allergy’s more common in HCPs? Just a thought…

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