"If you can, go somewhere else!"

I was scheduled for a meniscus tear and repair surgery for the 23rd of January.

My appointment was for 10 AM, I have checked into the reception at 9:30. After 2 hours of waiting I had to ask the receptionist what is going on. They told me they are on a delay in the surgery room due to some unseen circumstances during one of the operations. I have had a pre-assesment with a nurse about 14 PM.The nurse was difficult to understand. As they were going through the check-list for the operation, they were asking me weather I have any metal in my body. I already told my doctor on the 20th that I have two micro-dermal chest piercings which can not be removed. They said that is fine, they will just cover it with a bandage.

So I showed it to the nurse. They were asking me whether it could be removed- I said again no, it can not be removed. They were telling me that they will speak to the surgeons so they can take them out while they are performing my knee surgery. I was rather shocked and I told them I do not want to do that. And than they insisted and then I said no again. In the end they were telling me that they misunderstand me and they thought that I want them to be removed. I have no idea how they got to this conclusion. Then I saw they signed every line which was meant to be for me to sign it. I have asked them to bring a new form for me. They had left the room and returned with white stickers, which had my name, D.O.B and NHS number on it. They simply put the sticker on the line to cover their own signature and they were telling me that it is going to be fine just like that. About 2:30 PM I was being called to the ward to get changed because my surgery will start soon.

The surgery room assistant came to fetch me just before 3 PM so we walked together to the surgery room and they have prepared me for the surgery. The anesthesiologist came into the room, they introduced themself and told me what is they're going to do. Before I fall asleep they injected something into my left arm which gave me such a burning sensation in my left arm that i was screaming before I have passed out.

When I woke up I have spent 2 hours in the recovery room because there was no space in any of the wards to push me out. I have asked 2 different members of the staff to let my cousin know (who was outside in the waiting room) that I am awake and fine- nobody ever said anything to her. I was pushed out to the ward at about 8PM. I wasn't offered any food or drink despite that I haven't had anything for nearly 24 hours. My cousin was asking the nurse whether is it possible to get any food and drink for me. They gave me tea and a sandwich. The doctor didn't come to see me before I was discharged and the nurse didn't give me any information how to look after my knee. They didn't checked my temperature or blood pressure either which is quiet important to make sure there is no infection