Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

15k loan for surgery

91 replies

HelpMeWithMyHip · 11/10/2021 12:53

Hi all

I have name changed for this as it is really outing.

More of a what would you do really. I suffer terrible RA. I am only 31 and already have my right hip replaced. I am now on list for my other hip, but due to covid this is a long time coming and I can now hardly walk (I am having both knees, shoulder and elbow replaced too as I am on the list for them but it's my hip that is the main issue with my mobility). I have been told the wait is 'ages' by the consultant. He thinks that I'll be on the NHS waiting list for 52 weeks before they then put me on the list to have it done at the private hospital , but at a cost to the NHS. This is what happened with my first hip but the waiting time was not half as long as it was almost 4 years ago. My dilemma is, should I get a 15k loan and go private? The waiting time then would be under a month and my mobility would be significantly improved to a life changing level.

There are cons.. obviously the 270 quid a month payback for the next 5 years is a big burden to bear. WWYD and AIBU to consider this.

Thanks if you've read this far.

OP posts:
Rosemaryandlemon · 11/10/2021 14:18

I do it and as other say add to your mortgage when you re-mortgage. If you don't have it done surely there is a risk the pain/disability will get to a point where it will impact on your ability to work. So in the long run it could be the most sensible financial decision.

Bumblenums1234 · 11/10/2021 14:25

I'd go abroad and get it cheaper, Nords in Lithuania are fantastic. The care I had when I had surgery there blew the UK out of the water and was a third of the cost. The surgeons are UK licensed too so you are getting the same thing really for much less money.

Ireolu · 11/10/2021 14:26

Is there no way that you can be moved up the list?? I find it really irksome that people that need specific help that would be life changing can't access it on the NHS. Not bashing the NHS I work for it. Goodluck whatever you decide OP and I hope you are pain free soonXx

Bumblenums1234 · 11/10/2021 14:26

Just looked at their website and a knee replacement is £3400.

billy1966 · 11/10/2021 14:29

OP,
Have you checked can you get tax relief on that amount?

I certainly wouldn't hesitate considering the pain you are in.
Flowers

GettingItOutThere · 11/10/2021 14:30

i would

i wouldn't even think twice. This isn't a boob job for vanity or liposuction because you want to feel better, this is your mobility, your entire life.

Do it, worry about the cost later. You only live once

Doomscrolling · 11/10/2021 14:31

Do it! A life in constant pain is no life at all. It’s a small price to pay for your physical and mental well-being

emmathedilemma · 11/10/2021 14:35

Do it if you can afford it!
Have you checked if the hospital do a finance deal?
Also look into credit cards as many offer 0% finance for new customers or transferred balances BUT they have a time limit (usually 6 or 12 months) so you need to pay it off or be on the ball to transfer it to a new one.

forinborin · 11/10/2021 14:36

@Bumblenums1234

I'd go abroad and get it cheaper, Nords in Lithuania are fantastic. The care I had when I had surgery there blew the UK out of the water and was a third of the cost. The surgeons are UK licensed too so you are getting the same thing really for much less money.
OP, this, at least take a look - there are many internationally licensed clinics there. I understand there are issues with travelling and the recovery period abroad etc., but the UK private fees are simply astronomical.
thenightsky · 11/10/2021 14:38

I paid £13k for my new hip 2 years ago at the Nuffield in Leicester. I could choose the superpath procedure which needed only a one night stay. I was working and driving again by the 4 week mark.

ILoveAllRainbowsx · 11/10/2021 14:41

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

meadowbleu · 11/10/2021 14:42

I remember reading this www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/why-private-healthcare-firms-are-preparing-for-a-massive-demand-3156892
and have looked on their website. If you had to pay it looks around £10,500 for a straightforward procedure.

I'm very risk averse on health matters and would feel uncomfortable going abroad for surgery, so I'd definitely look into an option like this if you have to go the private route. If you joined and became a member after 6 months you get 10% discount.

A year to get on the waiting list when you're in pain and have so many other issues is just awful. I really do feel very sorry and would definitely fund the operation if I was in your shoes and could manage it.

Lunde · 11/10/2021 14:43

Is your hip replacement going to be a straight forward surgery or do your other medical issues complicate it?

I was in a similar position some years ago when an accident combined with other medical issues meant that it would be a very complex operation. The surgeon warned me that although there was a wait there was no point in looking into private alternatives as none had the facillities (such as intensive care) needed on standby for my surgery and few had experience of this complexity.

Youseethethingis · 11/10/2021 14:46

OP, just in case you are in any doubt I'm going to state for the record that you are worth every penny of that £15k. You get one life and yours is being held back by terrible pain.

I do know a woman who literally pestered her way to the top of the waiting list for a new hip, had it done quite recently and is a new woman. She would have gone private if it came to it.

BigWoollyJumpers · 11/10/2021 14:47

I know a few people who have done this recently, older than you, but couldn't live with the lack of mobility and the huge amount of painkillers required.

You are young, you must do it. Health and mobility are so important. As you said upthread, people pay the same for holidays and cars, or home improvements, none of which are as important as "you". Good luck, and I hope it turns out well for you. You sound as though you have a long road ahead.

FixTheBone · 11/10/2021 14:53

I'd take into consideration what wold happen if there's issues after the operation.

Could you afford the repayments if you were no longer able to work - if you had an infection, dislocation or a complication from the surgery?

What's your sick pay like if you need to be off work for 3, 6 or 12 months?

SueSaid · 11/10/2021 15:04

This is shocking op. Yes anyone who needs a hip replacement will be in severe pain with limited mobility but you are so young! Surely young RA sufferers should take priority over older people with OA who may well be retired and able to cope better with reduced mobility.

I would write to your MP and ask if there is anyway your case could be expedited.

guestusername · 11/10/2021 15:31

It sucks to have such reduced mobility. Your GP can and should write to your NHS consultant asking for your surgery to be expedited. The winter is fast approaching and the cold weather won’t help your situation.

Part of Nuffield Health’s joint replacement packages come with follow up appointments and x-rays included within the fee. Please do shop around though. I wish you the best of luck

KatieB55 · 11/10/2021 15:42

There was a Panorama programme on this a few weeks ago. People used 'go fund me' and raised enough for their surgery (some went abroad). It makes me really cross that you need to pay for your treatment - you are so young and it is badly needed. Good luck OP.

Florence282 · 11/10/2021 16:06

I work at an Orthopaedic Hospital. Does your consultant know the toll this is taking on your mental health? Does your gp even? In our department we had a patient, young lad, who was very depressed, suicidal over the pain and limits to his life. His gp wrote to the consultant and he got bumped right up the list. Sometimes you have to fight for it rather than sit back quietly and wait your turn. While everyone on these waiting lists are in pain and struggling, some are struggling more so than others so just make sure you've been heard before you take on the £15k debt.

SueSaid · 11/10/2021 16:15

@Florence282

I work at an Orthopaedic Hospital. Does your consultant know the toll this is taking on your mental health? Does your gp even? In our department we had a patient, young lad, who was very depressed, suicidal over the pain and limits to his life. His gp wrote to the consultant and he got bumped right up the list. Sometimes you have to fight for it rather than sit back quietly and wait your turn. While everyone on these waiting lists are in pain and struggling, some are struggling more so than others so just make sure you've been heard before you take on the £15k debt.
It seems incredible that it needs pointing out, surely a 31 yr old working fulltime with a mortgage takes precedence over say, a 70yr old who may be retired and yes in pain but doesn't have to go and work 40 hrs a week.

Your consultant needs a bomb up his arse op.

Noway100 · 11/10/2021 16:25

@trevthecat

I think if you can pay for it then definitely do it. Life is too short to suffer
This.
ZealAndArdour · 11/10/2021 16:30

Just do it!

You will never regret investing in your health and well-being.

user1471428785 · 11/10/2021 16:42

I have had only a fraction of your pain in my hip but worry its RA starting. In your shoes in constant pain and affecting your mental health I definitely would. I had a terrible slipped disc just after my daughter was born and was in so much pain, I could barely hold her - a newborn- or walk or sit. NHS said I'd need to wait appprox a year for an operation!! So went private and it was done 2 weeks later. Yes it was a big financial hit but I had no quality of life and it sounds like that's you. Just do it, you've likely forgotten what its like not to be in pain and the sheer relief will be worth the money. Good luck

Original poster
HelpMeWithMyHip · 11/10/2021 16:44

So sorry for the late response. I've been in work meetings this afternoon.

Some of these comments have moved me to tears. Thank you all so much

I am going to take some of the advice. I have just left a message with my RA consultants secretary asking if he could give me a call. Just to see if he could do anything to bump me up the list. The problem I have with waiting for the NHS on top of the pain is that I am a lot further along in the process for one of my knees and I don't think I'd be able to go ahead with that without having my hip done first as my leg wouldn't be able to support me. So unless he could do something to enable me to get my hip done first I'd have to go to the back of the list with my knee as well and I don't want that either.

I will see what he says though. It's just such a hard decision to make. One I really don't think I should have to make.

Work are really understanding and have said today I can work at home for as long as I need. So complications shouldn't be a problem as I think I'd be able to work from home.

Thank you all so much. And I am sorry to see so many in the same situation

I just want my mobility back just to be able to enjoy my life again. Especially while my kids are still young enough to need me

OP posts: