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

[ScuderiaSedici]

As above

I’ve been put into a room on my own because everyone else is changed and they “don’t want my bum to get cold” so aren’t changing me yet. It’s making me quite anxious to think of seeing everyone else coming back from their surgery, in pain, while im waiting to go down

They will go to recovery first , be woken up from a ga if relevant and given any pain relief. So by the time they reappear sleepy but comfortable.

I think it a luck of draw. When I had my operation years, I was first on the list as they thought it would be straight forward, however my surgery took longer than anticipated.

And bear in mind they may take second patient out before first comes back

I’m getting quite anxious about the actual anaesthetic now. I just don’t understand how it’ll feel

You'll feel pleasantly sleepy within moments

It doesn't feel like very much - within a few seconds sleepy and then it seems seconds before you are awake again.

I was recently in hospital and my bed was opposite the outpatients' bed bit. In that case, people were being admitted all through the day and were operated on in the order they arrived. Each of the 8 beds had 2 occupants during the day. Their discharge times varied hugely though, depending on how well they recovered. That seems a better system for the patient.

I do feel like that could be a better option. I’m surrounded by tearful parents saying how awful it must be to be put asleep - not useful!!

Ignore them, 99% of people have told you it’s absolutely fine and nothing to worry about at all. Your brain is trying to rationalise something you have no understanding of. Accept that that feels uncomfortable and then try and focus on something else.

There’s two kids and a mum in here now and they’re doing my head in. All watching TikTok’s out loud, yelling and can’t stay still 😩

That does sound very irritating. Have you got headphones? Could you play something on your phone?

It won’t feel like anything. One minute you will be awake and the next you - just won’t. You won’t know anything til you wake up in the recovery area.

When they take you down, you’ll go into the anaesthetic room. They’ll prep your skin and insert the line into the back of your hand. They anaesthetist will be talking to a member of the theatre team while they set you up. They will chat to you too and probably make a joke about feeling like you’ve had a drink, or ask you to count down from 10. You won’t get past about 7!

You won’t ’drift off’ like going to sleep. It’s more instant.

When you come round you might drift in and out a bit. You might be a bit trembly physically. You might cry a bit or feel emotional. That is all completely normal - I understand it might be uncomfortable for you but be reassured it’s just the anaesthetic after-effects and the nurses have seen it all before.

Good that you’re being done this morning, try and stay distracted with a book or something on your phone. You’ll be fine!

By the time time you read this, you might have already had your surgery, but just in case you're still waiting:

I worked in theatres and have had multiple anaesthetics. You'll be off to sleep very quickly and you won't be lying there waiting for it work. The staff will be kind, caring and professional.

Be aware that when you wake up, it might feel like no time has passed at all. There will be someone caring for you when you wake up. If you feel uncomfortable, tell them.

Then the relief will come - that the worry of waiting for this day is over. The surgery is over and done with and it's about recovering now. Take things very gently for the next few days.

I’m hoping that the silence means you have either settled in to something or surgery is happening / happened.
when you feel up to this, is write about your anxiety and desire for an autism assessment. Then book a gp appointment and hand it over. You can look up right to choose and the websites will tell you who is accepting adult autism referrals and the wait time. Write down the name and ask to be referred under right to choose. https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/before-diagnosis/how-to-request-an-autism-assessment

https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/ - best resource for wait times and providers.

I’m awake, had my toast (no tea as im not allowed hot drinks ☹️) and some water. I just want to get home now

I cried a lot when I came round!

But it’s over! I hope it went well and you can leave shortly.

I’ve been awake for two hours now and it doesn’t look like im going anywhere. Nobody has come to check on me at all, I had to take myself to the toilet

That's normal for a minor sinus surgery. There's no clinical need for anyone to take you to the toilet.

If you need assistance and are mobile then there should be a nursing station where you can speak to someone?

Other than the anaesthetic? They’re just ignoring me

No that's normal. An anaesthetic doesn't mean you aren't mobile or capable of going to the toilet as you proved by managing just fine.

They’re ignoring me. I’m ready to go home