I had both of my laps done through the public system - the first time through our local public hospital (with the women's outpatient clinic), and had to wait 5 weeks for the surgery (I needed a cyst removed, so a bit different from a diagnostic lap).

Second lap was done through my private FS but he did it for me on his public patient list at the public hospital (because he is a lovely man and knew we didn't have PHI at that time). Had to wait 4 weeks that time.

I didn't have to pay for either of my surgeries as they were done at public hospitals.

My first lap was horrendous and I was under for close to 4 hours. I needed 3 weeks off work (but probably 6-8 before I fully recovered) but was told that it ended up being a pretty complicated surgery, I lost a lot of blood, had to have drainage tubes in etc etc.

Second one was a dream in comparison (this was only diagnostic with a few adhesions removed) and I was back at work 4 days later.