Many patients undergo surgery each year. It is important for patients to be informed about the surgery being recommended, particularly if it is elective surgery (an operation you choose to have performed), rather than an emergency surgery (also called non-elective or urgent surgery).

All surgeries carry an element of risks and benefits which you should familiarise yourself with before deciding whether the procedure is appropriate for you.
 

The following are a selection of the most commonly asked, important questions that you may like to discuss with your consultant prior to surgery. Some patients find it helpful to write their questions down ahead of time to help them review the information discussed before making a final decision.
 

What kinds of conditions do you treat?
Mr Agwunobo provides procedures for a comprehensive range of diagnostic and surgical care treatments, specialising in gastrointestinal (also called the GI tract, is a series of hollow organs that form a long continuous passage from the mouth to the anus) and laparoscopic (low-risk, minimally invasive procedure that requires only small incisions) care.

​

How long is a consultation, what does it cost?

New patient consultations with Mr Agwunobi cost from £195. Follow-up consultations are priced from £160.

What do I need to bring with me to my consultation?

You will usually need to bring a letter of referral from your GP or the referring specialist. Sometimes this letter may have already been forwarded to the hospital. Please also bring along a list of any medications you are currently taking and previous test results, which will save time and money. If you are insured, please don’t forget to ring your insurance company for authorisation.

What if I need surgery?

If you need surgery, Mr Agwunobi will discuss this fully with you outlining the benefits, recovery time and any potential risks associated with the procedure. You will be allowed as much time as you need to consider all the information and options, including the option of not having any surgery at all. If you decide to go ahead with surgery, Mr Agwunobi will do his best to schedule it for a date that suits you.

Who will perform my surgery?
If you decide to go ahead with surgery, this will always be performed by Mr Agwunobi himself. He will also provide your aftercare to ensure continuity.

What is consent?
The consent form is an important document that you sign giving your agreement to undergo surgery. It confirms that you have been fully informed about the procedure you are about to undertake, including the benefits, recovery and potential risks. If you still have any questions or concerns relating to the proposed procedure, please do not hesitate to speak to Mr Agwunobi, or a member of his team, before signing your consent form.

​

My insurer asked me for an OPCS code, what is this?
The OPCS codes are unique for every surgical procedure and consist of a capital letter and four numbers. These are used by insurers to identify the procedure you are about to undertake. For example, gallbladder removal is represented by OPCS code J1830.

​

What should I do before and after my procedure?
General and more specific guidelines will be given to you by Mr Agwunobi when you are booked for surgery and your procedure will be explained to you and where you will have the opportunity to ask any questions. Your consultant anaesthetist that will be involved in your case and our practice manager will also contact you in the week running up to surgery.

​

How much time should I take off work?
Every case and patient are different and this is something that you should discuss with Mr Agwunobi at your consultation and before your are booked for surgery.

​

Will I need further tests?
Following your first consultation you may need additional tests such as blood tests, scans and endoscopy. These may require separate authorisation from your insurance company and may need to be done on another day. A follow up appointment will then be arranged for you to come back and discuss the test results. In some cases Mr Agwunobi will be able to organise all your tests on the same day to avoid multiple hospital visits (please contact us in advance if you require this service).

​

Is there a waiting time?
Mr Agwunobi has 3-4 clinics a week, at times and locations to suit you, so there are not normally long waiting times. Most people requesting a consultation are seen within four days. Please email or ring us for an appointment and we will ensure that you are seen as soon as possible.

​

How do I make an appointment?
To make a consultation please telephone 0161 495 7756 and we will be happy to help you arrange a convenient appointment.

​

How do I get referred?

Your GP is responsible for your overall care. He/she will normally refer you and provide full details of your medical history. Insurance companies usually require a referral letter from your GP before authorising payment for treatment. Please check this with your insurance company.

If you are self-funding your consultation, or treatment, then you do not necessarily need a referral letter to see Mr Agwunobi. However, following your appointment, he will normally write to your GP with details of your consultation, treatment and any ongoing management plans to ensure that your doctor has a complete record of your medical treatment and care. Mr Agwunobi is happy to receive referrals from a variety of different sources.

​

​