Thank you everyone.
It was a quick appointment at just over two weeks. Cannot complain at that.
I have no idea what will happen. I was in A&E in the summer with it and had x-rays and I was booked in for an MRI scan (for something else!)... until I mentioned that the plate might cook me from the inside.
It has been there for seventeen years, they should have known: I know.
There's no point in me speculating. They are the pros and should know what is best.