Iain Dale's gallbladder removal success

What were the main symptoms you had prior to gallbladder removal surgery?

“At the end of July, I’d been enjoying some drinks and canapes with my neighbours. When I got home, I started to feel sick, and a pain began to develop down my right-hand side. That night, I couldn’t sleep because I couldn’t find a position to sleep in. I thought it would improve over the weekend, but it didn’t, so after two days of struggling I went to A&E.

“I assumed I was suffering from gallstones, but when they scanned me, gallstones didn’t appear at all! Instead, I was diagnosed with an infected and perforated gallbladder which meant it was leaking bile into my stomach. I don’t know whether this is the case, but this must have been going on for a long time because I’d been feeling quite run down over the past year.

“I was admitted to the intensive care unit in the Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury with the promise that my gallbladder would be removed the following day. Unfortunately, I was then told it was far too infected and inflamed to be operated on as the risks were too high, so they said I was to be added to a waiting list of about 18 weeks.”

Video transcript

I'm Iain Dale. I present the Evening show on LBC Radio and I was here - oh, my goodness, when was it - the sixth of September to have my gallbladder out.

What symptoms did you experience?

I think it was about the end of July, the 27^th of July. It was a Saturday evening. I'd been around to the neighbours at my house in Norfolk and just had drinks and canapes. I went home, started to feel ill, I was sick and then I had this sort of pain down my right-hand side. It wasn't sort of, like, it was horrible but not acute. And I just thought I’d got food poisoning. And I couldn't sleep because I couldn't find a position to sleep in. And I just assumed it would all go away the next day. But it didn't, or the next.

And so, on the Monday evening I went to A&E. They immediately said, ‘It's the gallbladder’. And it turned out that it was perforated, which meant that it was leaking bile into my stomach.

And I don't know whether this is the case, but I think that must have been going on for quite some time, because throughout the previous year, I must admit I’d felt quite run down.

Why did you decide to use your private medical insurance?

They said they would take it out the next day, but it turned out to be far too infected and inflamed - and so they couldn't do that. And they said ‘You have to wait six weeks’. And then they said, well, we say six weeks, but it's actually more like 18, because of the waiting list.

I was in hospital for six days in Tunbridge Wells and I have to say, the treatment there was fantastic, and I would have quite happily had the operation on the NHS, but I couldn't wait 18 weeks because of my job.

So, I've got BUPA, so I thought, well. And I also wanted to have the same Consultant that treated me in Tunbridge Wells. So, I did a bit of private detective work and worked out where he operated from and Benenden was the hospital.

I just rang up and I said, look, I'd like to have it done with this particular consultant. And it was all really, really smooth.

What happened during your initial consultation and pre-operative assessment?

Well, I came in to see Mr Hasan, who treated me in Tunbridge Wells. And we were quite clear, I did need to have the operation. And then he suddenly said, ‘But it won't be me that's carrying it out!’. And I thought, oh, well, that's a bit odd. But then he said ‘No, Mr Hamouda will do it because that’s his area of expertise’.

I think I had the pre-op assessment on the 22nd of August, so sort of three weeks before the actual operation - and got a lot of good advice on what I should be eating – or, more importantly what I shouldn't be eating!

And yeah, again, it was all very smooth. Everything was easy to understand. Mr Hasan explained it all very easily and I just wanted to get it over with.

What was your experience of the environment and staff at our hospital?

I think one of the things that strikes you about Benenden Hospital is it almost looks like a new hospital. I don't know when every bit was built, but you walk in, and it could be just a pristine, new hospital. The cleanliness is outstanding. Everything here seems quite serene. Everybody I've dealt with here has been kind, polite, nice.

How did you feel on the day of your surgery?

I've had quite a few medical issues over the past couple of years. I fell off a theatre stage into an orchestra pit, a 12-foot drop, so I have terrible problems with my knees. I then fractured my hip; I fell over at the top of a tube escalator. So, I’ve had quite a few experiences over the last couple of years of either operations or just being in hospital.

I wasn't anxious about feeling anything, or even being aware of what was going on, because I knew that I was going to have a general anaesthetic. And ok, there are risks to that, and they are all explained to you very fully.

Before the operation, the anaesthetist comes around along with the consultant or the surgeon, and they tell you exactly what's going to happen, how long it might take. And all you ever remember is being wheeled down to the operating theatre; you see the anaesthetist and that's it. And the next thing you know, you're back in your room and eventually you wake up.

What happened on waking from surgery?

That process was quite interesting in that the anaesthetist came to see me after I'd been awake for about an hour and he told me that the operation nearly had to be cancelled, because it turned out to be a lot more complicated - the infection was much worse than they thought.

And I think at one stage, Mr Hamouda did think about stopping. And because it was all keyhole surgery, but it was so infected, that he wasn't sure that he would be able to do it and then they would have had to stop and presumably on another day, I'd have had to come back, and they’d have to open me up.

Well, he persevered and the bit of the operation that should have taken about 40 minutes took two and a half hours. So, you can tell how serious it was. Of course, I was totally unaware of any of this at the time. And I thought it was good of the anaesthetist to tell me that, just so I realised sort of how difficult it had been.

How were the first six weeks of recovery?

I had no pain at all. There was discomfort around the sort of tummy area because, if you take the gallbladder out, all the other bits around there, they've got to find their place again so that they sort of wobble about. I mean, you can't feel them wobbling around, but that's presumably what they're doing -  just trying to settle down.

So, the operation was on the Friday, but by the Tuesday, all of that discomfort had gone,

I only twice, I think, used painkillers, but it wasn't even really pain. It was just discomfort. You can only have soft food, so - for four days - I was on soup and jelly. I was living like a three-year-old again. Quite enjoyed it, actually. I forgot how much I like jelly!

And then gradually you sort of go onto scrambled eggs, but not really solid food and you lose a hell of a lot of weight. I mean, through the whole process. But from the end of July, because I was told I shouldn't eat dairy food, at all - and I really religiously stuck to that - I lost a stone and a half in those six weeks.

Ten days after the operation, I went back to work and I went on air at 7pm, and within five minutes I just thought to myself, oh my god, you feel like a different person, which people on social media told me I would, but I didn't really believe them. I was sharp, I was on it, I was just on total top form and that was a feeling that I hadn't had, should we say for probably up to a year.

A couple of weeks after that, I then started to go back to the gym again. I made sure I didn't sort of do too much that would involve moving sort of this area. And we're what now, sort of 22nd of October, and I feel completely normal again!

What difference has surgery made to your life?

The surgery has been quite transformational in many ways because I now realise that for the previous year, I'd felt a bit down. I hadn't realised it at the time. But since the surgery I just feel completely transformed, revived almost, sort of rejuvenated. I think that's the word I would probably use to describe it. And it can only be because of the surgery. Nothing else in my life has changed. So, I'm just so grateful that it turned out okay.

Would you recommend Benenden Hospital?

I can't fault any aspect of the treatment that I've had, or the dealings that I've had with people here, from the admin staff, the people that book appointments, incredibly helpful.

Again, it doesn't seem as if it's just a job to them. They seem to be really just committed to providing a top-class service.

Why did you choose Benenden Hospital?

“I knew I couldn’t wait that long, especially as the Consultant said I’d be functioning at only 60% in my daily life. It was then that I decided to use my private health insurance, as I could also choose my preferred Consultant which was a huge benefit for me as I’d really valued the care I’d been given by Mr Fazal Hasan, Consultant General Surgeon at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

“I wanted to be seen by Mr Hasan again, so I did a bit of research around the private hospitals he works at, and Benenden Hospital was on the list. I rang up the hospital to ask if I could book myself in for gallbladder removal surgery with Mr Hasan and everything went smoothly from there!”

What happened during your initial consultation?

“My initial consultation at Benenden Hospital was with Mr Hasan as I’d requested, so he knew my symptoms and my patient journey prior to coming in. During my appointment, he told me that another Consultant Surgeon, Mr Ahmed Hamouda, would be carrying out my procedure. He advised that Mr Hamouda would be the best Surgeon for my type of operation as it’s his area of expertise and therefore I’d have the best outcome under his care. I really appreciated this level of honesty from Mr Hasan. I was booked in for a preoperative assessment on 22 August, three weeks before the operation. There I got lots of good advice on what I should and should not do prior to surgery.”

What was your first impression of Benenden Hospital?

“I think one of the things that strikes you about Benenden Hospital is that it looks like a pristine, new hospital – the cleanliness is outstanding. Everything and everyone seem quite serene; there isn’t anyone rushing around. All the staff were polite, friendly and caring. When someone makes that extra little bit of effort to make you feel at home and more comfortable, all patients appreciate that. One lady said, ‘I’m a big fan of yours’, which was flattering and lovely to hear too.”

How did you feel on the day of your operation?

“I’ve had quite a few medical issues over the past couple of years, so I’ve spent a fair amount of time in hospital. I fell 12-foot off a theatre stage into an orchestra pit so have had terrible problems with my knees. I also fell at the top of a tube escalator and fractured my hip.

“I don’t tend to get nervous or anxious because I have trust in the medical professionals. I knew I was going to have a general anaesthetic, so I was prepared for that. I was first on the theatre list, and I remember being wheeled down to the operating theatre at about 8am and the next thing I knew I was waking up in my room at around 11:30am.”

What happened after your gallbladder removal surgery?

On waking

“After my surgery, the Anaesthetist came to visit me in the ward along with Mr Hamouda, who updated me on how the operation went. The Anaesthetist told me that they nearly had to cancel the operation because of the level of infection, but Mr Hamouda drew on his expertise and managed to complete the operation.

“There was a team of nurses who cared for me during the day. They tested my blood sugars regularly, as I’m diabetic, and monitored my blood pressure. The nurses were very thorough and came in at least every half an hour. I couldn’t be discharged from the hospital until I had passed urine to ensure I was in the healthiest state. When I did, my partner picked me up at 8pm and I was home about 9pm.”

Post-surgery symptoms

“There were four incisions made during my procedure, and they were sealed up and had a dressing on them. You’re not supposed to get them wet, so it was difficult to shower but you get used to it. There was discomfort around my tummy to start with, but when you have your gallbladder out, your organs shift around, so it’s likely because of that!

Diet and exercise

“I was advised to only eat soft foods for four days, so I was living off soup and jelly which was quite enjoyable! You also can’t eat dairy products, as this can be harsh on your stomach. Gradually, I built up to eating solid foods. During this recovery time, I lost about a stone and a half in six weeks which also did make me feel healthier! I went back to the gym after a month to gain back my strength and I felt fine.”

Returning to work

“Six days after my operation, I went into London to test out how I felt. I’d been asked to present on Politics Live at lunchtime and was then recording a podcast with Carol Vorderman that afternoon.

“After the podcast, Carol invited me to her book launch and then Newsnight phoned and invited me on that night! I was unsure at first, then I asked who else was on and it was RMT leader Mick Lynch. He’s sort of known as my lookalike and I thought it was too good to be true! So, I went on-air for that too.

“My day started at 9am and ended at midnight, and I felt fine. On the Monday, 10 days post-op, I returned to work and I went on air at 7pm. Within five minutes, I suddenly came to the realisation that I felt like a new person! The energy I could bring to the show made everything feel better.”

How do you feel three months post-surgery?

“As I speak now, on 22 October, I feel completely rejuvenated! Having this operation has been quite transformational in many ways because I’ve realised, I’d been feeling lethargic for a while before these symptoms started. I brushed it off and just put it down to being 62 years old. I was even asking myself how long I could keep doing my job for because of the way I’d been feeling.

“Since having my gallbladder removed, I genuinely feel like I’m 35 again. People said to me on social media that I’d feel like a new person after my operation – and I did! I’m just so grateful that it turned out okay and had I known that I had this issue, I would have 100% got it done sooner.

“I can’t fault any aspect of the service at Benenden Hospital, from the admin staff to the booking staff – they’re incredibly helpful and really dedicated to delivering a first-class service. You’re treated as an important person – sometimes people say ‘oh, it’s just because you’re on the TV/Radio’, but most of the staff didn’t know who I was, so I was treated like any other patient.”

Iain’s advice to anyone with symptoms

“Don’t wait to go to A&E or to get your symptoms checked. If you’ve got private cover and you can use it to relieve the NHS of a place on a waiting list, I really recommending using it for private treatments. If I hadn’t used my healthcare cover, I wouldn’t have been able to work for another three or four months, moving into 2025, and I simply couldn’t afford to do that. Paying monthly for private insurance is a no-brainer to me and there are so many different packages available.”

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Published on 19 November 2024