How long do you think I'll be waiting for non-emergency gallbladder removal?

[Scotstar91]

I was referred for this last week, following a year of attacks. However, at this stage, and unless it becomes an emergency situation, this is very much elective surgery (as in, I want my gallbladder whipped out!)

I'm in West Yorks - has anyone any insight into NHS waiting times at the moment? I absolutely appreciate that I won't be a priority, but by the same token, I'm frightened to eat :-(

Have BUPA cover through work, so am wondering if this might be a better option?

Go BUPA! My mum waited 18 months and was in agony for most of that x

That was way before covid too

I did it through work private cover - why wouldn’t you?

Family member just had it done privately.

Pre covid told 18 months then it moved to up to 3 years.

Had been hospitalised multiple times in past 10 months but they said they would have done it as an emergency before but can't with covid.

Go private or you'll have more luck removing it yourself.

I waited 5 months in 2019. NHS.

Wowzers! BUPA it is then! 3 years?! Jeez

I'm in West Yorks and I waited about 4 months. However it was about 8yrs ago! I was referred by NHS to the probatey Spire Hospital

Probatey = private!

If you have private healthcare I don't know why you wouldn't use it?

Sept 2019 I started having attacks, had the op Feb 2020, at Hinchingbrooke hospital. So 6 months from first sign to having it out. I was amazed at how fast it was!

@Scotstar91

Wowzers! BUPA it is then! 3 years?! Jeez

Basically before covid she was told that if she presented at hospital and was so ill she was admitted they would do it as an emergency.

But this is no longer the case (in her area at least)

Go Bupa. You will wait at least 6 months on the NHS at the moment .

I was diagnosed with gallstones after having my little boy in July 2018...saw GP August 2018 who finally referred me to hospital for a san in December 2018...the waiting list was long but my GP sent me to a private hospital who were taking on some NHS patients so I finally had mine removed April 2019 xx

I had my surgery done privately, huge waits under NHS for general surgery, waiting lists will be longer than ever now due to COVID, if you have BUPA use it. Good luck OP, I recovered very quickly after I had laparoscopic removal, 4 tiny little scars, & no more pain. Wishing you all the best.

Pre Covid I was told that I would wait a maximum of 2 months but decided not to go ahead as by the time I got to that stage I was no longer having attacks. The consultant told me I was making a mistake but the timing for me was poor.

NHS is on its knees currently, why wouldn’t you go private??

I had mine done privately a few years back, got it done at a convenient time within a few weeks.

Pre Covid I needed an ultrasound. NHS wait was about 8 weeks - BUPA was about 5 days!

Have never used my private cover and I know there's an excess, so if I was likely to be offered a date within the next few months on the NHS, I'd be tempted. However, I'm fully aware that the NHS is at a critical point, so I take the advice on board!

Go BUPA, I am on the urgent list at my hospital and the waiting list was a year and 9 months pre covid lol. I have no hope of getting mine out any time soon lol (unless in an emergency)

West Yorks pre covid ,four months from diagnosis scan. NHS but sent to a spire hospital.

Forgot to say, I know someone that ended up in a and e two weeks ago they’ve been told about two months.

Go BUPA. I'm expecting 3 years now. Been just over a year since I figured out what it was, getting very down on a low fat diet. Cant afford to go private or I definitely would.

13 months NHS in 2016

Is there any private surgery at the moment though? Are private hospitals not taking covid patients?