To not want to wait for my surgery

[Cadburyssurpriseegg]

I was called in for knee surgery at 7.30 am this morning.
Still waiting in the waiting room now.
I have never been to surgery so I really don’t know if this is normal.
Why would they ask me to come in so early if I have to wait for hours ? I’m probably being unreasonable but I’m already tired and hungry and obviously anxious.

This is normal. Find a nurse and ask them where you are on the list.

Normal. You are on today’s list which means that you will be done today.
You need to know where on the list you are so rough idea how long to wait

This is normal, unfortunately for surgery a definite time is rare as there could be other priorities (such as the anaesthetist being needed urgently). Ask if they are able to update you, usually if it’s a no-go for today as they are so behind they try and let you know as soon as they can. Hope you don’t have too much longer to wait!

I think they get people to come in in batches and then go through the list. So the time you're asked to come in is no indication of when you'll be seen. You should have had a leaflet or letter making this clear and telling you how to prepare in terms of when you can eat and drink? Are you having a general anesthetic?
Hope the surgery goes well, OP.

Normal in NHS or Private.

You are on a list of procedures happening on the same day and depending on what is happening in the operations before yours you might be seen quickly or could be waiting for hours.

Thank you.
I asked the nurse. He said I’m next but he also said we can’t tell you how long the wait will be . I feel like crying now. It’s been a really long day.

Totally normal, everyone arrives early so obs and any paperwork can be done. There is a list for order of patients but this can sometimes change so everyone needs to be there and available.
I had to wait until gone lunch time for my knee op because they had struggled with a hip replacement that took longer than anticipated. They will get to you, hope the wait isn’t too much longer & all goes well.

Thank you. I’m very anxious and I think that’s making me even more stressed and impatient. I’m very grateful to be here so I will just have to go with the flow I guess.

Normal on NHS unfortunately. I’ve been last on list before so waiting all day nil by mouth. If you ask they will usually let you know where you are on list so you can have a sip of water if you will be several more hours.

It is frustrating but normal. They get everyone on the morning list in at 7 so if someone is cancelled there are other patients to do in their place so no time is wasted. Also so you can be reviewed by the nurse, surgeon and anaesthetist to make sure you're fit for surgery.

Ask one of the staff where you are on the list. It should give you an indication. Where I work you would most likely be on the morning list so hopefully don't have much longer to wait! All the best!

Good luck for your op. I’m sure you won’t be waiting much longer. Long waits are hard when you’re anxious

Thank you all

Good luck OP it'll soon be behind you

Totally normal. Remember operating theatres are also used for emergency surgery and sometimes in routine surgery they will find something more complicated than expected so they can’t give you a definitive time.

SIL went in for planned c section, nil by mouth from ten the night before, obviously heavily pregnant. Age waited all day but because the surgeons and anesthetists were called away to emergencies, a and e type incidents and emergency c sections she didn't get seen at all, but want these until 9pm as she had to be re-booked in for two days later and the doctor was running behind. Planned surgeries don't usually start after 4:30pm so if it gets to late afternoon it's worth checking it's still going ahead today, although if they've said you're next in sure you'll be in soon.

*but wasn't released until 9pm

I was in at 6am for a c-section and didn't have it untill 6pm. Three times I was literally on the table and was pushed back for emergencies.
I became quite dehydrated as I'd now gone 24 hours without water so if this happens please tell them and they can sort a drip if necessary.

It's very normal. The patient in before you could have had complications and the surgery overruns. It's not something that can be rushed or left half done.