When does a SMM procedure take place from checkin?

[SuchAScaredMumma]

Hi All,

I had a mmc at 11+5, so I have little other choice than having surgery. To say I'm terrified is an understatement. I can't work, I can't sleep, I can't eat.

I'm due to go in on Friday at 9:30. I wanted to know how long people had to wait from check-in to procedure, at an NHS hospital.

I'm actually fine with the actual procedure, it feels like its just an extension of a smear test. The thing that's terrifying me is the anaesthesia and I know the waiting is going to kill me. I know I'll have a full blown panic attack if I have to wait from 9:30am till 3pm before going in for my procedure.

I have the option of going private, but it won't be before Friday, but ofcourse the wait time between check-in and anaesthesia will be short.

When can I expect to actually have the procedure after a check-in of 9:30? Its an innercity hospital in SW London (one of the big ones) and I've been told 4 of us have been booked in the same day.

SuchAScaredMumma

I had surgery in April following identification of a molar pregnancy through an abnormal scan. I went in at 8 for check in and had surgery about 11. Was out by 2pm (large SE London hosp). Hope that helps. Honestly it was a relief to have it over with as it kind of helped me process. So sorry this has happened to you, and best of luck with the surgery. Do take your time to grieve and process it properly.

So sorry for your loss and for the anxiety you are feeling, it's a really horrible time.

It will be hospital-dependent - I had SMM last Friday at a hospital in east London and was asked to be there at 7.15am, went into theatre around 10.45am and was discharged shortly before 3pm. I was on the elective surgical unit where there were people having various surgeries and all arrived at the same time - everyone was told to be prepared for the possibility of being in hospital all day. I was seen by the registrar as part of pre-op at around 8.45, at which point he was able to give me a rough idea of what time I should expect to go into theatre.

I would recommend taking something with you to keep you occupied/distracted as best you can while you wait - I took something to read, but you could listen to music or take an iPad with you and watch a film, whatever might help to take your mind off things. Good luck with it and I hope your wait isn't too long on the day. Make sure you get plenty of rest and have someone to look after you at home in the hours afterwards.

Thanks so much ladies - it sounds like it’s about a 3-4 hour wait from checkin. I’m planning to take my kindle and try to immerse myself in a book :(. When were you all allowed company until?

@SuchAScaredMumma I wasn't allowed anyone with me until after the surgery - that was due to being on the surgical unit rather than a ward (I was meant to be on a ward but it was closed due to the doctors strike). I was told the day before when my procedure was booked that I would be allowed to have my husband with me until it was time to go into theatre, so I assume that would have been the case if I hadn't been moved to the surgical unit.

That's a good idea! I wasn't allowed anyone with me as I was on the day surgery unit so it was drop off and then someone was allowed to come and meet me. But the staff were all lovely and one of even sat with me and gave me a big hug and a biscuit. I was also in with a bunch of other people having day surgery (one other lady having surgery for the same thing). Thinking of you and wishing you all the best, it's such a difficult time.

Hi OP,
I went through this a few years ago and it wasn't too long, checked in at 08:30 and was asleep by 10:30, checked out 3/4ish.
Staff were amazing and honestly, the anaesthetic was a welcome relief after the stress, worry and emotional minefield of the build up. Pretty sure I begged them to put me back under the second they woke me up.
I felt a lot lighter when it was over.

I'm so sorry for your loss. It will likely vary between hospitals but will also depend on what happens that day in the hospital eg whether they have any emergencies come in. My experience wasn't great. I don't want to worry you, but wanted to share so you can be fully prepared for all eventualities.

I went in at 7am and was told I was second or third on the list (I can't remember exactly which) so would likely go down around midday. This kept getting pushed back however as some emergency surgeries (understandably) took priority. I was eventually told that it would have to be cancelled as it was getting too late. I had already been given the pessaries however and due to a traumatic experience of a previous non-surgical miscarriage, I couldn't face going through it non-surgically again. I ended up having to basically beg them to do the op. They eventually agreed, but due to the time, there was a shift change and so had to go through all the pre-op stuff with the new surgical team which delayed it even further. I eventually went down around 9pm.

Afterwards, I was told I would need to stay in overnight as they don't like to discharge people that late in the day. All along I had been told it was a day procedure and wouldn't involve an overnight so I was really unhappy about this. I eventually got them to agree to discharge me once they were satisfied I was ok and I managed to escape around 11:30pm.

The procedure itself was fine and was only asleep for a short time, but the waiting, uncertainty and then basically having to beg to have it done and then to go home was awful. Thankfully my husband was with me before and after and we were in a side room so had plenty of privacy.

I'm sure my experience is the exception to the norm, but I certainly wasn't prepared for the situation I found myself in so wanted to mention it so you are aware of the possibility. I hope yours goes much better and you aren't waiting too long.

I've just had (albeit completely different ) surgery last week. I was told to call the day before to see what time they wanted me. Had to go in at half 12 and was in theatre at 2 but it seemed really quick as I had the nurse checking me in, the physio fitting my brace and crutches and the surgeon signing my consent forms. Then it was straight down to anaesthesia at 2, theatre at 2.15, out of theatre an 3 (I chose a spinal so I knew what was happening).

Sorry you’re going through this xx Are you being put to sleep or just local anaesthesia and wake? I ask because if you are awake, it isn’t like an extended smear test. It’s rather painful x

@forevaworried , I’m going under general so being put to sleep 😔 that’s the thing that I’m finding terrifying.

I meant more that the it seems straight forwards enough, it’s surgery so ofcourse there’s some level of risk. It’s also the first time I’m ever having any sort of surgery which isn’t dental (I was bad at dental hygiene when I was younger) so I’m perfectly happy being naive and convincing myself it’s just a smear test where they go a little higher, that’s all!

@SuchAScaredMumma i had a mmc and I was also too scared to be put to sleep for surgery so I had the local, which I regret as it was a horrible experience. If I’m in that position again I would opt for general so I think you’ve made a good choice from my own personal experience. Im crap with dental work too, even the deep cleans I find unpleasant. Be prepared to wait. I had to wait a good couple of hours for mine. Ask when you get there what the timeline is looking like, you may find you have time to walk about, get fresh air, watch an episode or two on Netflix etc. It’s a rubbish day, you have my sympathy x

I can't speak for having it under local, I wasn't given a choice and had it under general but I will say that the recovery from the anaesthetic was not as bad as the general I had for having my appendix out and apart form a nap later that day I was fine, you really aren't under for that long. It is a horrible day and a horrible situation, no escaping that. Thinking of you and wishing you the best of luck.

@SuchAScaredMumma I was freaked out by the idea of the anaesthetic too, and similar to you I'd never had any previous surgery and I'd never had a GA - but it was honestly fine, the anaesthetic took hold very quickly one it was administered and I was under for around an hour (the worst bit for me was having the cannula put in my hand because I am absolutely awful with needles). Felt a bit weird when I woke up, but it was just like being very drowsy and I became more awake and alert over the next half an hour or so. I didn't have too many after effects from the anaesthetic either, mostly just feeling tired. The waiting around without anyone to support me was what I struggled with the most as it fed anxiety, so definitely do whatever you need to do in order to take your mind off it. Once you actually go to theatre everything happens fairly quickly. I hope the procedure goes smoothly for you and you don't have too much waiting around.

Ladies, I just want to give you all a heartfelt thanks and virtual hug. This is my first post on here and its actually put me at ease a lot more. Yes, the waiting will be excrutiating but I'm looking at it as a way of finally catching up on my reading, which is a rareity with a toddler. It sounds like the actual procedure and anaesthetic is absolutely fine. I am really worried that I'll have an allergic reaction (I had one once to contrast die and since then anything that I'm injected with sends me into fits of fear) but again, it doesn't sound common, and if I do have an allergic reaction, they have a cannula in me already - just need to inject an anti-histamine.

I am getting conflicting information on what actually happens - did any of you have to take pills that made gave you stomach cramps? Or was just the passery?

I was given misoprostol orally a couple of hours before the surgery - I didn't notice any effects of it before going into theatre, although I did have some mild cramping after the procedure which I managed when I got home with paracetamol and a hot water bottle.

I didn't have a pessary I had to take a couple of pills but honestly once I got home it was easier to cope with than the miscarriage I had six months before. Bleeding was relatively light in comparison more like a long period.

Ok guys I’m FREAKING OUT! My surgery is tomorrow and you’ve all managed to completely calm me down… but I just went to the loo and I’ve started bleeding. It’s light and I’m not cramping but I am feeling weird things going on in my uterus, I think it is starting to contract, but the pain isn’t there yet. What do I do?! Is it going to get really bad tonight?! Do I still go in tomorrow morning?! DH suggested I call 111 but I have no idea what I’d even say to them!

@SuchAScaredMumma I am sorry to hear that, I don't really have any advice as such - but for what it is worth I would still go in tomorrow and see what they say. I'm not sure 111 would do anything at this time except try to fob you off til the morning. I have everything crossed for you that you can still get your surgery.

@SuchAScaredMumma How did you get on today? Hope you are okay.

Hey @CluelessInLondon and all

thanks for checking in! The bleeding over night remained really light so I went in as usual in the morning. They did another ultrasound just to make sure I hadn’t actually passed the baby already (which I hadn’t).

It was a very very long day! I went in to the hospital for 9:30 and I was third on the list (out of four) so I didn’t get home till about 8:30. I was fine right up until I met the anaesthetist and went in, that’s when I broke down in tears. I started to have a panic attack once they gave me the oxygen but luckily there were four anaesthetist in the room so whilst one gave me oxygen, the other put the cannula in, and the other two were hooking up the ECG and blood pressure monitoring. It meant that I knocked out just as the panic attack was starting up - I felt my pulse starting to race, The palpitations and the arm and chest pains starting and then BOOM I was out.

I must admit it was actually really nice waking up - it felt like I’d been in a deep sleep! They came to check how I was because I was such a hot mess before and I told them I wished they’d kept me knocked out for longer 😂 I really enjoyed the sleep after the emotion and psychological stress over the last few weeks.

Was really groggy all of yesterday and still a little light heated today but everything went well, touch wood!! I just wish they hadn’t kept waiting in for so long - it definitely contributed to the panic attack!

they took really good care of my allergies- it was the one thing o kept telling them I was scared of, this fear of unknown medicines and drips started when I went for a scan once and they injected me with Iodine contrast die - it was lucky I had a cannula in me because they quickly replaced the iodine with antihistamines and I was fine. It set of my asthma (which had been dormant at the time since I was 10) and meant that I was struggling to breath. Because of that they decided not to give me the painkillers in surgery. Given my periods are so painful anyways, it didn’t feel any different to a painful period when I woke up, so I don’t think I missed out on too much.

thanks so much ladies, I would have been a hotter mess if it wasn’t for this group!

@SuchAScaredMumma bless you, that does sound like a very long day. Glad they looked after you properly and the panic attack didn't progress. Fingers crossed for a quick recovery for you.

@SuchAScaredMumma That is a long day! Glad it all went okay though and that you were well looked-after. I was similar to you in the anaesthetic room so I can sympathise - I wasn't quite a full-on panic attack but got very upset and anxious, fortunately they got the drugs going quickly so I relaxed! Make sure you take it easy and get lots of rest over the next few days.