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"Surgery postponed"

About: Royal Victoria Hospital / Gastroenterology Royal Victoria Hospital / General Surgery

(as the patient),

I’ve been suffering for over 15 months now with multiple gallstones. This came to a head in November 2020 when the pain became unbearable and I was admitted to hospital. 4 days spent in hospital and during that time I was informed that my gallbladder needs to be removed as I had so many gallstones along with an infection.

From November I’ve had 5 or 6 (can’t remember exactly) more visits to hospital due to the pain. I’m on the urgent waiting list but I’m not being updated or nothing. Well the only thing I’m constantly told is that they aren’t doing gallbladder surgery due to the pandemic.

While I respect this decision, I don’t understand how someone else I know who had the same thing but ‘NON URGENT‘ was able to get their surgery and I’m constantly left in the dark. I’m in constant pain everyday without fail. I’m hardly eating due to everything I basically eat is causing severe pain. I am suffering greatly mentally as I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety and all this pain has increased that dramatically.

All I’m looking/asking for is clarity and to be given some hope that this surgery will be done ASAP!!

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Responses

Response from Laura O'Hanlon, Assistant Service Manager, General Surgery, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust 4 years ago
Laura O'Hanlon
Assistant Service Manager, General Surgery,
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Submitted on 16/04/2021 at 17:21
Published on Care Opinion on 17/04/2021 at 08:35


Thank you for sharing your story on Care Opinion. I am sorry to read your experience with your wait for gall bladder surgery since November 2020. In order to help resolve this for you and give you some clarity around your waiting time for surgery, please contact me directly at the following email address so I can help you further. I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards

Laura O'Hanlon

Laura.ohanlon@belfasttrust.hscni.net

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by TroubledTimes44 (the patient)

If by fate, Yesterday 23rd April 2021, I had my Gallbladder Bladder Surgery removal and I’m now home and feel great.It’s The simple little things that count the most for me such as no random outbursts of pain from Gallstones, Going to be able to go watch my Son play football on Saturday without any pain after 15mins then going sitting in the car and the list goes on. Mr Clements done the Surgery and him and his team where fantastic to say the least. If anyone is suffering from anything similar ... please don’t be afraid to hold back because the Help is there for everyone.

PS: This is simply an update on my happiness of not having to go through gallbladder pain ever again. I also thank everyone who took the time to read my experience.

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