Just been told it's £350 to have a large cyst removed

[whataboutbob]

I have a largeish sebaceous cyst high up on my back. It's conspicuous when I go swimming or wear loose tops. I went to my GP today and she said that as it's not causing trauma it was a cosmetic issue and I'd have to have it done privately, those are the guidelines. I have had a look round and couldn t find NICE guidelines on this. But it seems the going rate is £300-350 per cyst. Anyone know if this is right or could i have it removed on the NHS? Thanks for any advice/ insight on this.

No real information but a friend of mine was told exactly the same thing. It caused her lots of pain but apparently because it wasn't causing actual damage to her body it was cosmetic. The doctor gave her a course of antibiotics and also recommended putting warm towels on it to draw everything to the surface then she went back to get it squeezed. It's clearing up nicely now.

I've had two removed from my head on the NHS. They weren't painful but the doctor said there was a slight risk of them getting infected and that can be nasty. I would ask for a second opinion.

I had a seborrheic wart removed from below my left boob about 2 or 3 years ago. It was about 1-1.5 cm wide. I showed it to my gp as I wasn't sure what it was and he cut it out for me and popped in a few stitches. Didn't cost me anything and it was done purely for cosmetic reasons.

My DHs cyst was removed for no cost by his GP who used a needle to aspirate the contents.

Thanks that's kind of what i thought. Admittedly it was years ago, but I had another large one and the practice nurse lanced it and put a dressing on. And she didn't give me a bill! As I work in a hospital I am going to ask dermatology if you really do have to pay, maybe a med student can do it.

Get Dr Sandra to do it for you

You can't just drain it, you need to have the whole sac removed.

Trust me, I watch Dr Pimple Popper every day

I would get a 2nd opinion. I had one at the side of my neck, I have long hair so wasn't that noticeable. After getting it checked by ENT to make sure it wasn't anything untoward the consultant said 'if it starts to bother you come back and we'll remove it'.

I left it for about a year or so then everyone seemed to notice it, asking me if I had cancer and so on.

Anyway GP referred back for removal and consultant agreed, also stating that sebaceous cysts are prone to infection. He was right, a few weeks later it starting itching and leaking resulting in antibiotics. I had it removed 2 years ago by NHS with minimal scarring. I would definitely seek a 2nd opinion.

I think it's important to accept that funding for various things changes; the NHS is in huge financial difficulties so what may have been ok a few years ago might not be now.

I understand that things like cysts, warts and moles are removed if they are catching on clothing, bleeding or are in danger - however small- of being malignant. If they don't fall into those categories they are classed as 'cosmetic'.

A friend had quite a large, raised brown mole (about 1cm x 1cm) just under her armpit which would be 'caught' by shaving but 2 GPs refused to remove it on the NHS so a private job cost £500.

In the past, GPs who did minor surgery would remove them but unless your practice offers this, then it looks as if you can't have it done.

I had one removed from my head a few years ago at my GPs. I have another one (or the same one come back because it didn't go cleanly last time), but the guidelines have changed. So unless I complain about infection he can't do it under the NHS.
I may get it done privately but that has the issue of where, as at least one local private hospital has a dodgy hygiene record...

Yes both times I had cysts removed there was no draining - the whole thing was taken out. And the lovely nurse who did it last time took great pleasure in showing me the contents which were almost solid, not liquidy.

Guidelines must be different in Scotland because my GP referred me no questions asked and I had an appointment very quickly (and this is all within the last 3 months or so)

The practice nurse at my surgery offers minor surgery. I've had 4 moles removed by her in the last couple of years and I had one of them was removed from my armpit as I kept knicking it when I was shaving.

I have loads of cysts in my scalp and even when one was infected and agony they wouldn't remove it and I had to squeeze it myself :( a day sporner it was the highlight of my life, but I am pissed off they won't just pop them out on the NHS. I've been back recently to ask for them removed as I get headaches radiating from them, but they won't as 'it will create a hole in your head'

*as a sporner

Oh and yes what I was going to say is, private places I've looked at have said £60-£200 PER CYST! I have about 10!

I fear that pollyperky is right. There wa san item on radio 4 news this am about cutting back on funding even for stuff such as varicose veins (the GP did tell me that vvs were getting harder and harder to get done on the NHS), and apparently IVF is next in line. obvioulsy that's a lot more significant than having a cyst removed.
Still I was disappointed to "get" her when they booked me in, she is the least sympathetic GP I've come across and i can't help thinking another one might have found a way round the problem. 2 years ago when Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimers and bro with schizophrenia and i was the only responsible adult in the picture and I went to the GP in despair her only comment was "you care too much, you just need to care less. it's only going to get worse".

And there's no way I'm paying for this!

I don't understand why the NHS puts such a low priority on dermatology.

I don't think most people realise just how close to collapse the NHS is. Our area have issued a document asking for public opinions on things that may have to be cut within the local NHS in order to manage the budget and, as you've said yourself, a cyst is not hugely significant compared to some other stuff that may be rationed. Paying for "minor" conditions and ailments may be something we all have to get used to, sadly

There are cysts and cysts- ones that can be burst are different to ones that need excision.

The problem with the NHS is that it's being brought to its knees by the amount spent on diabetes- billions. If people would stop overeating, take exercise and show some self control, it would be much better for everyone.

I am an NHS employee and i agree that we will sadly need a funding re think and free at point of delivery for all probably is not sustainable.
Maybe there's a middle way for instance people paying a set daily hotel rate for hospital stays.
I wouldn't mind paying something to have the cyst removed, but £350 which is what I found on google (I'm in london, admittedly) is ridiculous for a 15 minute job and i object to paying towards some surgeon's kids public school fees/ golf club subscription etc.

I think anyone should be able to have any procedure done they feel necessary but subject to waiting lists.

but £350 which is what I found on google (I'm in london, admittedly) is ridiculous for a 15 minute job and i object to paying towards some surgeon's kids public school fees/ golf club subscription etc.

LOL! In London you can easily pay that figure for highlights and haircut.

I don't begrudge surgeons a penny- they have studied for something like 10 years, they don't actually get all of the fee anyway- they get their share and a percentage goes to the hospital for the use of the theatre and equipment. Considering dealer garages charge £100 an hour to put oil in your car, I think your comment is uncalled for. And who cares what doctors spend their income on.

I paid £500 out of London to have a mole removed from my lip by a plastic surgeon and it was worth every penny. If someone is going to stitch my face I want someone properly trained.

Is it cheaper if you book a clinic in Manchester or something?

Maybe an avenue to look down, if you want it gone.

Thanks anchor it's a good tip, worth looking outside london if I decide to go down that route.