Oh my oh, I'm not looking forward to this process at all
The only thing that makes me so anxious about it is the wait itself and everything the NHS does
I think I'll post this as question itself to see what others experiences were with this, as this is terrible!!
I hope youre doing better now

Yes this was on the NHS. Pre op assessment is to discuss your health and to see if you are a good candidate to have surgery and to discuss any allergies you may have to medications and other health issues you may have and to check your height,weight and blood pressure. They may also take a blood sample (did on my first pre op assessment as i was suffering from anaemia at the time)
I was told i should get a date for surgery within 5 months in July but i didnt and then this year in January, the appointment officer rang me on a Monday to tell me they have a cancellation for Wednesday, 2 days later. I obviously explained that my pre op assessment was in July and from what i was told it had expired so he quickly got me another one booked for end of January and also chased up the consultant and found out i wouldn't be able to get an appointment with him for at least another 6+ months because he was taking NHS work as well as private so after i agreed, he got me booked under another consultant so i could get surgery date sooner. I asked alot of questions as i was worried about being operated on by a different consultant but as it turned out, my cousin had surgery from the same consultant so my mind was put at ease somewhat. I live in the West Midlands

Oh wait, there an assessment first?!
That doesn't make sense what they did there, sorry to hear that! And that was on the NHS? Is this london or elsewhere?

Had pre op assessment july and then no surgery date until following January and then couldnt take surgery date that was offered as pre op assessment had expired. Was supposed to be given surgery date within 5 months