Surgeon appointment

[Shityshitybangbang]

Hi all. I had colon cancer last year, all removed and clear. A mass was discovered in my chest after my colon operation. I have been having regular scans watch and wait approach, no change. have decided I want the mass out and have an appointment with surgeon tomorrow. The last appointment I had a panic attack and my partner went in instead of me. It was just after a ct scan and I was convinced it had grown, but it hadn’t.
why does the surgeon have to see me? Is it just to discuss operation? Risks, about operation? The colon operation was an emergency so no outpatient appointments. I panic in hospitals.

With planned surgery, you will always have an appointment with your surgeon to talk about the operation. It will be a chance for you to ask any questions. It will also give you the chance to meet them. That offers some reassurance to people that on the day of the operation, they will see a face they know. Best of luck x

There's no surgeon who would operate without seeing you first. They'll need to discuss the plan, talk about risks/benefits and examine you.

If you want the mass removed then you do have to meet the surgeon. They need to hear about what you are thinking and discuss with you if it's possible to remove it, what the risks are, if there are any benefits to removing it and lots of other things.

You can't just book yourself in for an operation and turn up on the day.

Mumof1andacat · Today 19:20
thank you. Just a bit worried as Iv never had a planned operation before. My last operation was an emergency and the surgeons spoke to me right before the operation. My names on the waiting list so maybe he’ll give me a date tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

You will also have to have a pre-op assessment. My hospital now do this on the day of the appointment with the surgeon. It is only a trial so it depends on the hospital otherwise you’ll have to come back in for that.

If you want elective surgery (which apparently you do), the surgeon needs to see you to discuss all the pros and cons etc. If, between you, it is decided to go ahead, then the surgeon will add you to their (non-urgent) list. Unless you are seeing them privately, your will not be getting a theatre date so soon. I'm guessing it will be many weeks/months.

BeaRF75 · Today 20:38
My names already on the list for about four weeks now. Because it’s a slow growing tumor I know I’m not an emergency. The letter did say no longer than 12 weeks, so hopefully it will be soon. I just want it out, the longer it’s there, it’s causing huge anxiety. I was offered the operation in feb but because I was recovering from a major operation and just finished chemo. I opted for the watch and wait approach till I was stronger.