Elective Op

[Whynotdance]

I have an op booked for a month's time, elective, not a big deal, private hospital. Now I've been googling and saw the Lancet article which said post operative covid mortality is at 20% following a study. 20%!!! No one mentioned this to me! Am now considering cancelling. Anyone been in the same situation?

There should be strict rules in place to ensure you don't have covid at the point of the op or catch it after. The local hospital near is required a neg swab an 2 weeks isolation (as does the NHS hospital) before elective surgery. They are also a lot more covid secure than the NHS hospital. All staff get a temp check on arrival and have to immediately change to scrubs before going to the ward.
If you follow all the rules you should be fine. If it's something that you need (e.g. a hip or knee replacement) I wouldn't cancel

I’ve not seen any reported Covid19 deaths in independent sector. I think the issue is an increased mortality for people who were already very unwell going in to surgery. As most elective surgery was suspended during first growth period, the operations taking place were emergency surgery or at least time critical, so disproportionately risky in terms of outcomes anyway.

I had elective surgery at a private hospital in July. I had to have a covid test a week before and isolate from then til the op. Then again for a week after.

Ask to see their covid policy. Staff at my hospital are tested regularly, you are asked questions relating to covid (have u had symptoms, been out the country etc). Temp tested at the door. To come in alone for follow ups, my pick up had to wait outside after surgery. Masks worn inside at all times.

My experience is that they were really on the ball to minimise the risk of getting it there. Your own responsibility to minimise the risk outside. The place was immaculately clean. I wasn’t worried at all.

@BumDiggyDiggyDiggyBumDiggyBum

Do you live with other family members did you have to have them isolate too for a week and no school etc?

A friend of mine was due to have ankle surgery last week. She had covid test and was told she and husband had to self isolate 3 days before op. Op was cancelled day before.

On your case op, I would decide on operation depending on how serious the condition is. My husband had to have a triple heart bypass in May and despite having private medical insurance, hospitals were turned over to the NHS. He did get it done privately, 10 days later, as the hospital was just opening back up privately.

My DP works away so only had dd5 here the week before. She didn’t start school til August, so was at home with me. We isolated together. DP came home the night before my op for a few days to help, so I wasn’t 100% in complete isolation afterwards since he had been out working, but as much as I could be.

I think you have to consider how desperately you want the op, how successfully you're likely to be able to avoid covid before and after the surgery, and how long your particular surgery might leave you more vulnerable to covid for. Can you isolate your whole household, keep kids off school and so on for two weeks before the op and for some time afterwards?