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.

[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.

[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]

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

[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.

[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]

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.

[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.

[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.)

[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!

[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]

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 !

[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.