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Your surgical journey
What to expect from consultation to follow-up
Most patients follow a clear pathway from first consultation to investigations, treatment planning, surgery and recovery.
Your initial consultation
The initial consultation with your consultant is the first step in your treatment path. This 30-minute face-to-face appointment is where your medical history and surgical requirements are explored in detail.
A working diagnosis is usually made during this consultation, and your consultant may request additional investigations such as blood tests or scans to confirm the diagnosis.
You will also receive an in-depth explanation of your recommended treatment options, including surgery where appropriate, based on the diagnosis and your background medical history. You will be offered a period of time to consider the options and decide on your preferred treatment choice.
In most cases, patients are able to make an informed decision after the initial consultation. If a further discussion is needed before surgery, this can usually be arranged by telephone. Where this follow-up discussion is directly related to the proposed surgery and takes place within six weeks of the initial consultation, there is no additional consultation fee.
Before your appointment
We will ask you to complete an online health questionnaire by email prior to your initial consultation. This provides essential background information about your health status and requirements, complementing the initial consultation.
We recommend completing this questionnaire at the earliest opportunity before your first consultation to allow any adjustments that you may require.
Surgery day and follow-up
If surgery is recommended and agreed, your consultant and hospital team will explain the admission pathway, procedure plan and expected recovery. Many hernia and gallbladder procedures are performed as day-case surgery, although this varies with the procedure and your individual circumstances.
Routine follow-up is arranged after surgery and may be face-to-face or by video based on preference and clinical need.
Ready to start your patient journey?
Book your first consultation or contact the clinic with a question about appointments.