Just got my letter for a surgery consultation with the London team. Anyone had any experience them of what to expect for the first consultation? Majorly excited! From the first meeting, how long have people waited until their first surgery roughly?
Hi and congrats,
It kind of depends. I saw them on In October 13, for my initial consult but I hadn't had my second opinion so he just explained what they do and noted what I wanted (radial arm + vaginectomy + clitoral burial). Then said he'd see me again once he had my second letter.
Second appointment was December 2nd and basically they just confirmed I was ready, I assume if you have your second opinion before your consult you won't have to go twice.
I think they try and give you a date there and then but they had nothing till the new year so said they'd phone me.
I had my mastectomy December 18th, so when they offered me January I couldn't take it (you have to wait four months) then they offered me February 14th which again hadn't been long enough. So I knew it would be April at the earliest.
So 31st march (Monday) they offered me 4th April (this Friday) :)
So it's been 5months since 1st consult, 3.5 from second (if I hadn't needed second opinion) but if I hadn't had chest op I would of had it in January so not a long wait. But I did say I could do short notice I don't know your circumstances.
You have to arrive the day before so I leave tomorrow, this week has been insane!!
Good luck though. All the docs are super friendly, and give you loads of info.
I actually found that they didn't give me that much info during my consultation (not that they were unhelpful, but a bit vague and generic. So ask lots of questions).
One thing I would recommend, if they are unable to give you a date there and then and say they'll call you back. CALL THEM.
They said theyd call me back (this was way back when I was just planning my first stage) in May, as I was free asap, they didn't call and I was trying to be patient so waited a month before calling back, and it turned out they hadn't even written my name down and they had nothing free till October (I had to go back to uni in Sept). I was fortunate enough to fill in a cancellation in August, but you would really be doing yourself a favour to be proactive and make sure they remember to give you a date, even if you feel you are just pestering.
My first appointment was Dec 3rd my second on March 19th and I've now been okayed for surgery and just waiting for the phone call. My second appointment was with Mr Christopher and I got more information from him than I did the first consultant.
Thanks guys! I think I'm going for the forearm technique, do you know how long the arm is out of use for?