In a panic over surgery

[Myeyesinanop]

First, never needed or had surgery before.
Gallbladder needs to come out. Moderate pain, I can live with it if necessary.
Letter arrived today for surgery a month today.
I am really uncomfortable with being unconscious , surrounded by people I don’t know. I know there’s a surgical gown to wear but do I wear underwear beneath this? Can I refuse in advance any treatment — I absolutely, 100% cannot have a catheter ( urinary one) put into me. ( I do have sound reasons for this, historical sa) I’m happy to sign anything saying I take responsibility for my own recovery etc… or should I just back out now? Would it be any different if I went private ?
If you’ve had this op or work in this type of setting can you advise me, talk me through it please? Currently feeling very sick at the thought of it 🤢 TIA.

It is usually keyhole surgery so you go in first thing in the morning and home once you are awake and have eaten. If I was you I would get it done...if you leave it it may become infected and need open surgery (I had this but still didnt have a catheter)

I think sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and get things done, and this is one of those times.

I work in an operating theatre and often see these surgeries, please have the operation done, the longer you leave it the more difficult the surgery could be, the pp is right it's normally done keyhole and as a day case, you'll be able to go home the same day as long as you feel ok! You can keep your knickers on 🙂 please don't worry yourself too much! I've never seen a patient require a catheter following this surgery, they'll take good care of you and you'll feel so much better for having it done

I kept my pants on under the gown and am not aware I had a catheter if I did.
Could you contact the hospital to talk through your concerns?

Please discuss your concerns with your anaesthetist and surgen asap. Privacy and dignity is taken seriously in theatre anyway, but if the staff are aware you have particular concerns they will be even more so - well we would be in any theatres I have ever worked in anyway.
It's very unlikely that you would need to be catheterised for this kind of surgery. It's the norm for some operations either because the bladder needs to be "deflated" to make space and reduce the risk of bladder damage such as in caesarean sections, because it is very important to monitor how much urine the patient is making, particularly in operations when big fluid losses are expected, or in very long operations when the bladder is going to get full. But none of those things are likely in a routine gall bladder operation and you wouldn't ever be catheterised for no reason. You'll be asked to go to the toilet before theatre and should be able to get up for a wee again before you go home.
If you have been recommended to have the surgery then it will have been considered necessary. The thing to consider with gallstones is that even if you can live with the pain now, they won't go away on their own, may well get worse with time and can put you at risk of more serious complications. It's much better to have the operation when you are well, as it's likely to be more technically straightforward and quicker and give you a better recovery. I don't think there would be any big advantage to having the surgery done privately, and I have experience of both sectors. The biggest plus of private care is a shorter waiting time and you have already got to the front of the NHS queue so going private now would actually slow things down. The conduct of the actual procedure won't really be any different in a private hospital.
It's natural to be scared. I promise you that you won't be the first or the last to feel this way and of course nobody can guarantee a 100% straightforward procedure, but for the vast majority of people having their gall bladder out is uneventful surgery with a good recovery and chances are you will soon be tucking into your dinner very pleased to see the back of those rotten gallstones.
The Royal College of Anaesthetists has some good patient information resources which will help you know what to expect and may help reassure you
https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/patients/patient-information-resources/patient-information-leaflets-video-resources
I hope everything goes smoothly and you soon feel well.

Thank you so much, everyone, for calming me down and talking sense into me. I’m usually a calm, logical person but this really threw me today, real, giant , panic attack. Hearing experiences from staff and patient pints of view has really helped. Massive thanks.

I am in the exact same boat OP (but I am going private).

I knew I had gallstones as the pain attacks fitted, so bit the bullet this year and had a scan. Went to see the consultant and genuinely thought he'd say I could leave it as I only have about two attacks a year - no he started talking about what could happen if they moved etc.

I've never had surgery and the pain is so infrequent I do want to ignore it - but have realised I can't so am panicking.

I understand this isn't particularly helpful, but wanted you to know you're not alone and I'm thinking of you.

I also hav gallstones since last August. I used to have horrendous attacks and th consultant wanted to whip it out. I chickened out twice, once last December and once March just gone. So I've still got my bloody gallbladder and bloody stones. Granted the pain is now very infrequent as in I've not had a bad attack since last year! I am terrified of having surgery, the thought of being put to sleep and maybe not waking up puts the fear of God in me. I know this isn't particularly helpful but I wanted you to know that your not alone in your reasons for being scared. I have been discharged from the waiting list now because I kept chickening out. I suppose if they get bad again then I will have to do back to the GP with my tail in-between my legs!

You will be asked to wear a gown and a pair of paper knickers. You really cannot put this operation off. I delayed in going to the GP and by that time the pain was sometimes so bad I could not walk. I went to stay with a friend and indulged in a rich ice cream which resulted in me being up all night and her considering calling an ambulance. I was only in hospital for a few hours and had no after effects. In addition, I have no scars. Please do have it done and do not worry. An anaesthetist will be monitoring you the whole time. That’s what they are there for.

I had this op and it was a piece of cake. A wonderful GA and then no more gallbladder pain. No catheter. Usually a day case. Seriously, I can't think of a single reason not to have this very straightforward procedure.

I’ve worked in the theatre that did this procedure and I’ve had the operation. The theatre term are absolutely respectful of your privacy and dignity. They only uncover the areas they need to see. Having said that, doctors and nurses have seen it all, literally, and for them it’s just another day at work. Theatre staff are highly professional and they will look after you with kindness and reassurance.

There is no way you will need a urinary catheter, so please don’t worry about that.

There is no advantage in going to a private hospital. The staff are all NHS trained anyway and the surgeon will be the same one who works in your local NHS hospital. I would definitely opt for an NHS hospital as if anything goes wrong you are in the right place. Having said that, a laparoscopic cholecystectomy is very routine and there’s nothing really that can go wrong.

You will be fine and so much better when it’s done.

I perform lots of these operations every year. Very happy for you to PM me if you have specific queries. You don't wear a bra but. can wear your own pants (but they may get stained by the skin prep so don't wear nice ones!) and you wont need a catheter.

Had this operation done this year, I had an infected gallbladder and the pain was unbearable I had to stay in hospital beforehand on lots of antibiotics but the operation itself was completely simple. (I had paper knickers and a gown), I went home the same day as the op.
No catheter needed, I was able to walk to the bathroom when I was put on a ward after recovery and had some soup. Before long I was going home to recover with lots of bed rest.
I'd never been put under before so was slightly nervous but anything to get rid of that horrible pain.
I have the option for private health care but as I went in as an emergency through A&E I had the op there and the ward staff and anesthesists were absolutely lovely.

I kept my own knickers on, I didn't have to wear paper ones.
And yes I went for a wee before going into surgery and had to wee again before I could go home.
It was fine, you'll be well looked after.