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.

[user1489471807]

I had the cyst removed a year ago. The removal was pretty quick and relatively easy. I had taken the non laser cyst removal treatment ( www.fairviewcosmeticsurgery.com/procedures/non-laser-procedures/non-laser-cyst-removal/ ) from a clinic in Toronto. It was a simple surgery with minimal invasion and scarring. The key is go to a registered clinic and consult a good plastic surgeon. You should be fine.

[inarmsofanangel]

Good luck with yours Kurri, hope all goes well for you. Mine is not usually painful unless pressing on it against back of chair. I often sit up in bed to read on my laptop and it's then I notice it most.
The first GP I saw (who sent me first for US) said he'd like it off in any case as it would just get larger and could cause issues in future.
Then when I was referred to the hospital for biopsies ect they said it would be unlikely. I tried to go back and see the same GP, was seen by another who again said they wouldn't do it. I guess it just depends on the GP ?
My sister is a nurse in a dermatology unit and she asked about it apparently and they told her something like that should come off.
I think I've given up until next summer. :) I can cover it with thick coats in the winter !

[KurriKurri]

I'm having one removed from my neck - GP sent me for an ultra sound to check what it was, then he sent me to see a plastic surgeon (Because of it's position it will leave a scar near my face) GP did say that they might say they won;t do it because it's cosmetic, but when I saw the consultant she asked 'does it hurt' and I said it did and she said fine we'll get you on the list - no mention at all of payment.

I don;t know what the criteria is for it not being cosmetic - but yours sounds troublesome inarmsofanangel - is it painful? If so I think you can ask your GP to argue your case for having it done on the NHS.

[inarmsofanangel]

Hi, sorry to revive this thread. Hope you don't mind OP. I 've had a large cyst on my back currently growing over spine and it's 3x3 inches approx and sticks out like a third breast. (In fact it may be bigger than my less than ample breasts!)
My Dr sent me for biopsy last month to check for sarcoma as it is that big and it came back benign (thank goodness), However, all I've been told is that they won't remove it on NHS. (they did needle biopsy)
Every summer I struggle to find clothes to cover it and everyone who sees it has to remark! :(

I can't afford to have it removed privately so it's just going to be left there to grow.
My worry is if it become infected next to my spine, if it gets bigger and starts causing real problems surely that is going to be much more expensive for them than if they removed it now? :( Just saying!

[RepentAtLeisure]

I've been to see my GP about three issues in the last five years, and was sent away to sort them all out myself.

One was severe neck pain, he told me to go and see an osteopath. Two osteopaths later my problem now extends to between my shoulder blades. He still won't help me, but will organize a private referral to a consultant he thinks might be able to help, if and when I can afford his prices.

And my thyroid medication didn't work for me, but he wouldn't let me try another kind, so I now order it online from Mexico, with his blessing/indifference.

Essentially I don't feel I have an NHS anymore (though of course I appreciate I might feel differently if I broke a leg tomorrow.)

[greedygorb]

I'm in Scotland and I've had a couple of procedures done privately including a cyst removal- which was under my bra causing a lot of irritation but still not done on the NHS. In my experience I've always thought it was relatively cheap given that the money has to pay the surgeon, the anaesthetist, the nurses, post surgical care, the hire of the hospital facilities etc etc. Compared to private dental work it is value for money.

[hunibuni]

I work in the field and the amount of people who struggle with their diagnosis precisely because they aren't overweight or love sugar is immense. The idea behind public health campaigns is to get the correct information out there, not just sound bites. Being obese does increase your risk, but it doesn't mean that you'll definitely develop diabetes. The problem with the obesity=diabetes model of thinking is that it doesn't take other factors into consideration, and in terms of my work, it means that there is a lot of educating to be done, especially for nonspecialist doctors.

[PollyPerky]

You seem to have abit of an axe to grind on this one...
not sure why but you are coming over as defending people who are obese and develop diabetes. There has been so much about it from drs and public health organisations that trying to diminish the real issue by saying there are other reasons - and aligning it to the smoking / lung cancer risk- is a bit baffling tbh!

[hunibuni]

There's almost a stigma to having Type 2, like you brought it on yourself through your lifestyle. Most people understand that the development have a Type 1 isn't something that you can influence. Until people are educated that there are many other causes of Type 2, then there will always be the perception that the development is something that you can influence. Yes, obesity is a risk factor, so reducing the risk is the wise thing to do, same as smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer so stopping will help to reduce the risk, but that is all it is, a trisk factor.

[hunibuni]

Actually, I was trying to explain that there are many different causes of diabetes, not just obesity.

[PollyPerky]

hunibuni I appreciate you making the distinction between Type1 and Type 2 but I thought it was clear from what I posted that I wasn't referring to Type 1. The percentage of Type 1 is very small. The Prime Minister has Type 1 - which should have helped people's understanding.

The news this week about the sugar tax and Jamie Oliver's column in yesterday's Times is all part of the drive against diabetes/obesity- the type of diabetes that is lifestyle related.

[hunibuni]

You can also have a genetic predisposition to insulin resistance, making you more likely to develop diabetes. Insulin resistance is also common in women with PCOS, which is why metformin is sometimes prescribed.

[hunibuni]

Polly the Japanese thing is not true in general (but can be specfic to certain jobs) but it is true that we take a more preventative view and it's considered the norm to have an annual health MOT, usually for insurance purposes, once you start working for a company and/or reach a certain age/ life stage.

While I agree that diabetes needs better public health education, people need to know that not all diabetes is lifestyle induced and referring to it as a lifestyle issue is doing a disservice to type 1 patients as well as those who have developed it secondary to other health conditions. It annoys me because my friend has diabetes because she had a pancreatic tumour removed, which has resulted in the remainder of the pancreas not functioning properly. Another has beta cell failure as a result of a viral infection and DH developed diabetes in his early 30s despite being an uber fit gym goer who was very careful about his diet (still is). It's true that being of South East Asian or Afro Caribbean descent is a higher risk factor.

[theredjellybean]

you have a good service provision Luna :) as it was a secondary care service ( i.e. in hospital ) then it is looked at/audited etc differently ( and funded differently ) to primary care.

for those discussing fees...do not forget that the surgeon will also be paying substantial medical defence union fees.

To give you an idea , as a GP working 2 days a week i pay £5000 / yr in defence fees. Private obstertricians pay up to £80,000 / yr in these fees....i am sure private cosmetic surgery would attract a hefty defence fee

[PollyPerky]

Wildfire just FYI you can mix and match NHS and private and have been able to for ages. Many years ago a relative of ours had a private room in an NHS hospital. You can see a consultant privately then go onto their NHS lists if you need further treatment which you'd not be able to afford privately. This may or may not result in queue jumping- they decide how urgently you need treatment. Again, family members did this as long ago as 40 years. You can also see a consultant privately and have any blood tests they suggest at your Gps or NHS hospital, to save money as some can cost over £600 . You also probably know it works the other way- private hospitals take NHS patients for operations to relieve the burden/ backlog on the NHS. Friend of mine has had 2 ops this way.

[LunaLoveg00d]

I was the poster who said a nurse had removed my cyst and it's true ;-) I've had two removed, first time by a doctor and second time by a nurse practitioner. Both times in an operating room at hospital though and not at the GP surgery.

My GP practice doesn't offer any surgery or other procedures - they don't even do things like Mirena coil insertion.

[PollyPerky]

Boffin's comments are not exactly accurate. I don't see how someone can be 'Asian more often' - the mind boggles! I am sure that if you look at the actual stats for diabetes, the 'Asian element' will be very small in terms of cost to the NHS, proportionally. It's also rubbish to blame people's sedentary jobs as an excuse for being unfit. It might make it harder to keep active compared to when we all lived in caves and ran around hunting woolly mammoths for dinner, but if people want to be active they can be. My DH has a sedentary job as do I, but he goes cycling for 8 miles 3 days a week before a 25 mile drive to work, plus gym after work 3 times a week and he's mid 60s.

[PikachuSayBoo]

Boffin isn't being racist. It's a medical fact that Asian people have a higher risk of diabetes. It isn't all about obesity.

[PollyPerky]

Boffin no need for the sarcasm or racist comments! Don't know where you got that from but it's crass.

The facts are that 70% of hospital treatment and admissions are for lifestyle-related conditions. A consultant told me this. Drugs for diabetes cost almost £9 BILLION a year. Most of this could be avoided by a massive public health campaign and a change in how we manage health.

In Japan, you have your salary docked if as a man your waist goes over 33 inches. You are expected to look after yourself. There is a stigma attached to being unhealthy and financial consequences are a consequence.

Compare this to the UK where almost 70% of men are overweight or obese.

This is one of the biggest drains on the NHS so yes, patients are to blame.

I'm not the only one saying it- drs and public bodies are saying it too- hence the sugar tax.

So simple maths tells you that if this was controlled there would be more money for removal of cysts- or better still, cancer drugs and operations done more quickly for those in serious need.

Going back to the original point about the cost of £350, unless you and the OP take on board the fact that the surgeon only receives some of that, and the rest goes on overheads, this is a pointless discussion.

It's a bit like saying why should we pay £30 for a main course in a restaurant when you can buy the steak for £5 in Tesco (and ignoring the fact you are paying for the building, the staff and everything else that is included and not just the chef's time.)

[WiIdfire]

I went to uni in 1999. No grants. Used student loan, which over 5 years added up. Also had a weekend job to earn a bit of money. I've only just this year paid off my student loan - took me 12 years. So don't tell me I had it all handed to me for free.

OP - I do take your point that it is a high cost for a minor procedure. What do you think a surgeon should earn for this? As in, how much should they take home personally? Then we can add on costs and work it out the other way. Assume 2 per hour, once all the associated paperwork and preperation is done.

There is an interesting point regarding top-up fees. At the mo its NHS or private. No middle ground. You can't skip back and forwards. Maybe there is an arguement for top-up fees - pay to upgrade to a private room. Pay to hurry up the lab results. Pay to reduce the waiting time. Trouble is, its hard to do that without delaying those who cant pay - it would only work if it didnt slow down the NHS list, and I dont see how that can be realistically done.

[BoffinMum]

Rrriiiiiight, so it's primarily the patients' fault then, for getting ill? Living too long? Being Asian more often and getting diabetes? Having sedentary Information Age jobs and knackering their metabolisms? Not the fault of drug companies flogging expensive treatments, over-medicalising normal life events with concomitant side effects that also need treating? Not the fault of poorly regulated businesses compromising the work-life balance of employees? Not the fault of doctors not being able to lead the system efficiently enough? Nooooo, it's the fault of the patients. I'll make a note of that.

[PollyPerky]

Some of what you have posted is an opinion. Not facts. One of the main reasons for lack of money in the NHS is nothing to do with drs' salaries but the overburdening of the system with lifestyle -related chronic illness as well as the sheer waste of resources and inefficiency. This includes the diabetes epidemic, the cost of which is billions annually. No amount of money or drs will keep up with the increasing demand.

[BoffinMum]

FWIW I think there's a case for doing some stuff at cost price and arranging for this to relate to the living wage. Like the OP says, £350 is massive money for many people and this isn't fully understood by white collar professionals on regular salaries.

[BoffinMum]

The problem is that during a period of huge economic growth from 1997-2008, the financial cutback argument was invoked again and again, so it has weakened the currency of making that claim. Meanwhile the BMC negotiated six figure salaries for GPs leading many of them to go part time, and a 48 hour week for junior doctors, and now we have a doctor shortage. What a mess. I repeat, it is not a user-friendly service and the wider medical profession has become awfully greedy, contributing to the problems. Don't be surprised if people call you out in that.

[PollyPerky]

Basically, austerity seems to have passed you by! There is not enough money in the kitty! Something has to give- and it's minor ops for cosmetic procedures. Life in the NHS must be very sheltered if you can't understand this. It's not a case of your needs not being at the top of the list- it's your needs are OFF the list due to lack of cash. Just suck it up instead of whining.