Hysterectomy

[DALMATAIN101]

can any of you ladies advise me on how long you had to wait between being told you were to have a hysterectomy until having the procedure getting done? please.

thank you in advance

Mine was last year and was 10-12 weeks between the first consultation and the operation. I had cysts and fibroids that were causing urine retention because of their position so I think that sped things up a bit.

I sincerely wish you the very best OP

Will check back in Wednesday for your update. Great that you have a sympathetic GP. So ask about cancellations and taking a slot at short notice. They do come up.

2 years on NHS and that was before COVID, I’m in NI.

I was lucky as my parents paid for me to have it done privately. It’s disgraceful that was my only option.

Good luck for your appointment

0pp0site ends of the country then , I'm in Glasgow here, i know the 'nhs' are very busy at the moment but that's no excuse to be slacking on the job , twice they missed infections i had and it really did make me ill . i have never in my life lay down to anything apart from when a bus run me over :D , to say i was not pleased is something else .

@SlatternIsMyMiddleName my dad has mentioned it but i wouldn't let him spend his savings on it either as i am hoping the doctor will have me back in asap .

@Milomonster i will update the post as soon as possible after ive seen doctor .. ONE MORE SLEEP :D

Oh well , earlier than planned update :'( , just had a phonecall from the hospital to tell me my appointment at 11am tmrw has been cancelled for 6 weeks , i cant go on anymore , thanks for all your help ladies , devastated .

Oh OP I am sorry it's awful

Honestly, if you Dad is offering, take the private option.

My parents took the view that they wanted to see my quality of life improve. They wouldn’t be able to do that if I got the money when they died.

You have the option, don’t be too proud to take it.

@SomewhatBored

I went privately and it was two weeks - I had been told the NHS waiting list was up to a year. That was five years ago.

Yes me too, covered under BUPA and I basically sat down with the consultant, looked at my diary and agreed a date to suit.

I would imagine that at present hysterectomy is way down the priority list, unless you have cancer. My hysterectomy was because of a huge fibroid which had a severe impact on my quality of life, but wasn't killing me.

I had mine at the Spire hospital in Edinburgh, my NHS area had a deal with them, which was lovely . They are quoting just over £7k on their website. It was like getting my life back so please take your dad up on his offer. I’d do the same for my child if I had to.

I'm in NI and it was 9 months, I needed a MRI scan first, but I paid for that because the waiting list was 18 weeks. This was 7 years ago though.

I'm going private as my consultant told me he can't operate at moment and has no idea when he will be allowed to again. You can get finance through private hospitals if that helps.

@DALMATAIN101

Oh well , earlier than planned update :'( , just had a phonecall from the hospital to tell me my appointment at 11am tmrw has been cancelled for 6 weeks , i cant go on anymore , thanks for all your help ladies , devastated .

Oh, no. I'm so sorry to hear that.

I completely understand why you wouldn't want to accept your dad's kind offer. Obviously you know his situation whereas I don't - if it's money he has put aside but doesn't need, would you perhaps feel more comfortable accepting it from him as a loan? You could agree a repayment plan with him.

An initial private consultation is around the £200 mark I think - if you can afford that it may be worth seeing someone privately at least to establish that a hysterectomy is the right option and also, what type of operation would be suitable so you could get a better idea of the full cost and make a judgment about accepting help from your dad in some form.

Oh I’m so sorry! I was thinking of you this morning. As a start, could your dad find an appointment for a private consultant and ultrasound. The latter will help to knowing you have a thickened uterus, fibroids, etc. Even finding a cause can help you understand your condition.

I think it’s barbaric how they have cancelled so many procedures in the NHS. They could have contracted this work out to private hospitals whilst consultants twiddle theirs thumbs. I’m angry for you.

Do you have any link the armed forces as King Edward 7th hospital in London offers discounts.

www.kingedwardvii.co.uk/the-charity/about-the-charity

Also, have you had bloods taken by the GP? If you are anemic that can increase bleeding ironically. Also, have you tried tranexamic acid to reduce the bleeding. Sorry for all my posts - genuinely feeling for you as due my own bleeding.

Another thought - you can (and have the right to) be referred to any consultant in the country. Don’t limit yourself to your area only. I know it may not be practical, but could you look into consultants elsewhere who are operating?

@Milomonster

I live in Glasgow so I'm afraid London a tad out of my way.
I have bitten the bullet as they say and have an appointment in a private hospital next Tuesday for a consultation, so fingers crossed 🤞

Also had an nhs dr call me to say they would put me on a 12 week waiting list again thus taking it 19 + months and im sorry but I just cannot go on that long like this 😢

Get all your reports printed. Best of luck and I hope you find a resolution very soon.

@milomonster .
Believe me I have tried every medication on earth ..
Let me list them & majority are on double doses to try and help .

Triptorelin ( injection monthly)
Sumatriptin ( severe migraines)
Cocodamol (30/500)
Paracetamol (500mg)
Dihydrocodiene(30mg)
Norethistorone (10mg)
Diazapam (10mg)
Mefenemic acid (500mg)
Tribology (5mg)
Tranexamic acid (500mg)

Not to mention 12 other daily medications I take to control adhd , ptsd & bipolar 😭

Oh no! You do have my sympathy.

I am in a similar boat to you with unpredictable and sometimes very heavy bleeding. I've tried the mirena coil with zero success for a year now. After a huge, long and unstoppable flood a few days ago (I almost called 111, seriously) it is being removed in the next few days and I will be pushing as hard as I can to get back to seeing a gynaecologist.

I'll go private if I have to. Not that I can afford to pay for it myself, but we have private medical insurance via DH's employer (an American insurance broker) so might as well use it if needed.

I'm in the UK too. Essex. The situation is shit. I've been told that it could take 6 months to be seen on the NHS. If that happens I will definitely explore the private sector.

Maybe take your Dad up on his offer if it isn't money he would miss. Offer him a repayment plan if you would feel more comfortable doing that.

I assume your GP is aware of how much bleeding you are having. Can they help to get you seen more urgently? You've probably tried that though.

How bloody awful and frustrating that they cancelled your appointment at such a late stage. I suppose all of it down to a chronically underfunded NHS which was last year repurposed to be the National Covid Service and has virtually shut down far too much else.

That seems to be the case no matter whereabouts you are in the UK.

I originally had a 12 week wait between agreement to perform the hysterectomy and the op - it was due last April so was cancelled due to lockdown. It has been cancelled 2 further times since then. It's now been 2 1/2 years since initially going to my gp. Fed up is an understatement, although it is unavoidable so trying to be pragmatic. Hope yours gets sorted soon.

I was due to have mine in Feb after about 8 weeks from seeing consultant. Can't see it happening in Feb now....just hope it won't be too long