Surgery and NHS

So I have to have an arthroscopy of my hip and it will be in an NHS hospital. I have had many other surgeries in my lifetime (combination of pure bad luck and terrible genes), but I am terrified to have surgery here. Has anyone else had surgery and had to stay overnight? Tell me it’s not going to be that bad. Please. Need to hear positive things since this is happening regardless.

I almost had to have to stay overnight 4 months back when I had heart Ablation surgery. Because of a month of blood thinners and blood thinners during the surgery the wound in the groin where the catheters went took a long time to stop oozing. I arrived at 8, surgery at 9, moved to a private room and had lunch at 1, tea and biscuits at 3 and diinner at 6. All very acceptable food. I would have had no problem staying overnight but persuaded them to let me call my wife to come pick me up at 7, following the ward nurse checking that I could get up, go to the toilet myself etc without the wound opening up. The room had an en suite toilet, TV that I could pay for but with the free broadband wireless I had my own entertainment with my iPhone and ear phones. I also had blood pressure and ekg every hour during the day to check the old ticker.

This was all NHS, and I know that the chances are that the recovery ward will be a private room are probably low, although many years ago I did have surgery on my foot on the NHS that required 3 days in hospital and that was also a private room, but not an en suite toilet.

PS
This was for AFib and I haven’t had a single instance of AFib since.

I'm on the list to have this done but I am waiting until my husband can drive, so please let me know how it goes for you!

I think it depends on the hospital. Do you know if you'll be on a nightingale type ward or if you'll have a room? You can ask, and have some say for where your surgery happens.

For me, I'll have to be in a room because I'm allergic to fragrance and you can't control other patients. I'll be having a laparascopy for lady issues sometime soon and that's just an outpatient type procedure, in and out the same day. They're having me meet with the anesthesiologist first to address allergies and known issues with anesthesia, and I'm thankfully also having patch testing with dermatology beforehand because I was allergic to the stitch glue with my last surgery. (that referral was separate but good timing) I feel pretty confident they wouldn't let anything happen to me even with my crappy EDS tissue.

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No surgery experience, but I’ve stayed in the hospital loads while pregnant and after having my children.  It’s absolutely fine.  You’ll receive great care.  This is a first world country after all.   

Bring some earplugs and a sleep mask in case you are on a shared ward. 

Like Margo, I think it's going to depend on what hospital you go to. I've had surgeries at two different hospitals in the UK. At one it was a perfectly serviceable experience. I was taken care of, but the general feeling I got was everyone was just doing whatever amount of work was required to get a satisfactory rating on their annual evaluation and nothing more.

At the second hospital I had outstanding treatment. It felt like nearly everyone I dealt with was a dedicated professional whose sole interest in life was making sure I was well taken care of. I've been to that hospital a number of times both for myself and with family members, and every time in every clinic all the people I've dealt with have been good at their jobs and happy to help with whatever I've needed. It seems to be ingrained in the culture of the facility.

My advice is if there's a choice of hospitals in your area ask around in your community - especially if you know anyone with a medical background - to see which hospital in your area has the best reputation. If you don't know anybody, ask your GP, or the nurses at your GP's office.

I've not had surgery, but several hospital procedures and a stay in a hospital for the week. It was in a ward of 6 beds or so.  A bit to get used to, but actually, all fine. Because of wards, visiting hours were limited.   Could close the curtains if you wanted privacy.  Mind you, on the ward rounds in the morning, the whole ward got to hear what was wrong with you, because of the hoard of medical students all learning what was what.
 I thought it was cool that we got the tea and biscuits twice trolley a day!  It was good tea.  The food was fine, and we got to order in the morning. I seem to recall none of it was particularly healthy (chips, sausages, etc).  That was 10 years ago, so may have changed. 
We've currently got a petition going with our (only) hospital, because they're charging £10/day for telly. Outrageous.  Hospitals need to get with times and get free wifi too. 

Cannot fault any of the staff. They were excellent!

I am terrified to have surgery here.

Terrified about what??

I've had surgery and stayed overnight in hospital here a couple of times, and also in Belgium...there was really no difference (except in Belgium I had to pay!) In both countries I got dedicated, caring, professional treatment and pain relief...what more can you ask for?    The food was a bit bland, and it could get a bit noisy when the nurses were doing their rounds of giving meds, checking vitals, etc but... it's a hospital,  not a hotel!

It'll be fine... don't worry! 

Sad creature that I am, I really enjoyed the hospital food last time (in about a week before my son was born and after).  No complaints!  I thoroughly enjoyed a hot meal turning up that I didn’t have to make or wash the dishes after.   

I was just in the hospital on Thursday for surgery. Managed to convince them that I didn’t need to stay overnight, although it was a strong likelihood. I’m not a great patient, and don’t like doctors or hospitals! I’ve had several arthroscopic surgeries in past years, never needed to be in overnight for them.  I don’t think you should be terrified, as others have said, different hospitals treat you differently so check around. With any luck, you’ll just be in for part of the day and home you go!


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Thanks everyone!

I’m terrified because I’m in a foreign country with essentially only my husband to help me afterwards. I’m worried because I have had some great experiences in hospitals and some bad ones. I have a long list of food allergies and I can not eat out at 99% of restaurants, and I am worried about food while I am inpatient. I make most of my own food, so I know this will be a massive challenge. I’m only saying for 1 night, so I’m hoping to make due as my allergies are not life threatening.

I’ll be at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham as this where my surgeon operates. I live in Derby so it’s a bit of a hike to get there and back. I think it’s really just the idea of spending a night on a ward that I’m worried about. I’ve always been in a room with one other person in the past and I’m guessing that’s not the case here. This hospital is very shiny and new, and everyone has been so kind at every visit I have had thus far. I’ve had times where postoperative pain has been a massive issue and times where it was managed well. This just brings all that back up.

Thanks everyone!

I’m terrified because I’m in a foreign country with essentially only my husband to help me afterwards. I’m worried because I have had some great experiences in hospitals and some bad ones. I have a long list of food allergies and I can not eat out at 99% of restaurants, and I am worried about food while I am inpatient. I make most of my own food, so I know this will be a massive challenge. I’m only saying for 1 night, so I’m hoping to make due as my allergies are not life threatening.

I’ll be at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham as this where my surgeon operates. I live in Derby so it’s a bit of a hike to get there and back. I think it’s really just the idea of spending a night on a ward that I’m worried about. I’ve always been in a room with one other person in the past and I’m guessing that’s not the case here. This hospital is very shiny and new, and everyone has been so kind at every visit I have had thus far. I’ve had times where postoperative pain has been a massive issue and times where it was managed well. This just brings all that back up.

Presumably you'll be fasting pre-op so I'd just bring whatever snacks you think you'll need for the day after. That way at least you know you won't starve.
 I'd also call the ward and have a chat with the charge nurse just so that there are no surprises on either end. 

Thanks everyone!

I’m terrified because I’m in a foreign country with essentially only my husband to help me afterwards. I’m worried because I have had some great experiences in hospitals and some bad ones. I have a long list of food allergies and I can not eat out at 99% of restaurants, and I am worried about food while I am inpatient. I make most of my own food, so I know this will be a massive challenge. I’m only saying for 1 night, so I’m hoping to make due as my allergies are not life threatening.

I’ll be at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham as this where my surgeon operates. I live in Derby so it’s a bit of a hike to get there and back. I think it’s really just the idea of spending a night on a ward that I’m worried about. I’ve always been in a room with one other person in the past and I’m guessing that’s not the case here. This hospital is very shiny and new, and everyone has been so kind at every visit I have had thus far. I’ve had times where postoperative pain has been a massive issue and times where it was managed well. This just brings all that back up.

Make sure to communicate all of the times pain wasn't managed to the surgeon and anesthesiologist. Also bring a printed list of allergies to have posted on your chart at all times, and keep one with you. If you have medication you know works well post op, don't be afraid to request it. The pain management is the biggest part of that hip surgery because the post op PT is significant and painful. You can also ask to bring your own food, depending on the ward they may be able to store it for you or just keep it in your own cold bag with ice packs. I know a lot of people with allergies and they do this, as the hospital food wouldn't be safe. But it wouldn't be in the US either!

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Thanks everyone!

I’m terrified because I’m in a foreign country with essentially only my husband to help me afterwards. I’m worried because I have had some great experiences in hospitals and some bad ones. I have a long list of food allergies and I can not eat out at 99% of restaurants, and I am worried about food while I am inpatient. I make most of my own food, so I know this will be a massive challenge. I’m only saying for 1 night, so I’m hoping to make due as my allergies are not life threatening.

I’ll be at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham as this where my surgeon operates. I live in Derby so it’s a bit of a hike to get there and back. I think it’s really just the idea of spending a night on a ward that I’m worried about. I’ve always been in a room with one other person in the past and I’m guessing that’s not the case here. This hospital is very shiny and new, and everyone has been so kind at every visit I have had thus far. I’ve had times where postoperative pain has been a massive issue and times where it was managed well. This just brings all that back up.

You can definitely bring your own food.  There will be a kitchen on the ward with a fridge and microwave. 

The unknown is always scary!  Let us know how it goes.

Hope all goes okay Jackie