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"waiting for surgery"

About: Poole General Hospital

At the begining of October I was admitted by emergency and was diagnosed with gallstones and an inflamed gallbladder. I was told I needed surgery but I had to let the inflammation settle first. I was in hospital for nine days on IV antibiotics. My bloods were still not normal but I wanted to go home. I went home with oral antibiotics and my bloods were expected to normalise in a few days. The doctors told me I'd have a wait of two months as that was the optimal time to remove the gallbladder to let the inflammation settle and preferably before another attack and as long as I stuck to a very low fat diet in the meantime I 'should' be ok. I had repeat blood tests a week after discharge and my bloods weren't normal but I was told to wait for surgery. I got a letter for pre op to attend 27th November. I expected to get a date for surgery then but I didn't. In fact I was told, that despite waiting almost two months already, I may have to wait another three months. I had another blood test at the pre op and my bloods still aren't back to normal. When I questioned why I have to wait three months longer than I was told, they said Dr's don't have access or knowledge of waiting lists so what I was told wasn't true. So two months down the line, still feeling unwell, on a very restricted diet and another possible three month wait for surgery. I don't even have a date despite having a pre op. What's the point in having a pre op without having any idea how long surgery may be? I was happy with the care I received as an inpatient but that has now been overshadowed by the fact the doctors who were caring for me weren't entirely honest regarding how long surgery would be and I'm stuck in limbo on a very restricted diet and no end in sight. I was listed for surgery mid October and I may have to wait until March. I've had no explanation why I can't have a date for surgery and why I have to wait so long. I've written to PALS and remain unsatisfied with the response.

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