NHS waiting times for polyp removal?

[yyica]

Good evening ladies,

Has anyone had a polyp removed at an NHS hospital? If yes how long was the waiting time? Thanks!

Absolutely ages….. first scan 2021 where they saw polyp, hsg and further scan April (polyp still there), consultant call July to say rescan and if still there I’ll be added to list. They weren’t operating over the summer, rescan October (to check it’s still there again) booked in for next Monday (13/12) 🤗 so from first seeing it 10 months (4 scans and a hsg - not sure whether this is to make me fell like they are progressing or in the vague hope it might have gone) from date of consultant appointment saying I’m going on the list 4 months.

Mine is a giant polyp though and I need it under a general anaesthetic.

To be honest they are completely disorganised, I’ve still not had letter confirmation of where it is despite the call 4 weeks ago (could be one of 2 hospitals) and they haven’t booked my pre screening appointment yet 😱 - I chased yesterday and was told I’m definitely on the list and someone will be in touch!

@NorthernDuck thank you! That's very helpful. I'm sorry to hear about the long wait, it sounds very frustrating! But great that you've got your appt. Fingers crossed you'll have a smooth procedure next Monday!

May I ask if they decide whether or not to add you to the list based on the growth of the polyp? I'm going through 2nd cycle of IVF treatment and that's how the suspected polyp was found. Consultant was 95% certain after an aqua scan and although it's quite small he wouldn't risk putting any embryos back. I wonder if this would mean non-priority for the NHS given the backlog they already have to deal with. I'm going to ask for a referral anyway but may need to go private as I can't wait for 10 months or longer.

Hi I don’t know, I haven’t made it to the ivf stage yet, they won’t even start it without removing the polyp.
My polyp has always been there on the scans and I think it’s the reason that I haven’t fallen pregnant as been seriously trying for 3 years but not preventing it for 7 years.
I have a giant broad based polyp so it’s pretty big and would prevent implantation but I don’t think it has grown in size and it’s certainly not shrunk.

I imagine the waiting list for non general anaesthetic removal is quicker but I don’t know. They don’t do as many operations in general anaesthetic because you don’t go to the local clinic as an out patient you have to go to the main teaching hospital.

If I’d known we’d be 18 months on from seeing the GP and still not been added to the ivf list id have gone private but I’d forfeit my nhs round - and I’d probably have to have the polyp out on the nhs as it’s under general.

Hi @yyica I had a similar experience. During my first cycle I had a polyp picked up on three of my scans and also during the egg collection it’s self. As such, they advised they would not do an embryo transfer as the polyp would likely be in the way. I was added to the nhs waiting list. After 4months of waiting I was still yet to hear on appointment date or wait times (I’m not meaning to complain as I know the nhs is extremely stretched after such a difficult year). I was advised it could be another 3month wait so we decided to go privately, using money we had been saving for future ivf round if needed. Once I made that decision they were able to book me in and two weeks late the procedure was complete.

I’d also say that when they carried out the procedure they discovered there was no polyp there. The dr advised it can sometime be a fold in the lining or the shape of your womb. I’m not sure whether there are other scans etc they can do to see if it’s def there or not, I kind of wish I’d asked more at the time, but they said that the hysteroscopy was the best way to look and they’re confident there is no polyp.

In terms of timing, my fresh cycle was back in May and I’m just starting my FET this month. Hope that’s of some help.

@NorthernDuck I really hope it gets resolved for you on Monday. Will you be able to get onto the NHS list for IVF straight after the procedure? Everything is crossed! X

@Agapanthus13 thank you for sharing! Our experience is very similar! I had a few check-ups before starting IVF including a hycosy and scans after a miscarriage in May but never was there any possible polyp spotted until the first cycle in October. The consultant ruled out the potential then saying it could be the lining or mucus and went ahead with a fresh transfer. Only because implantation didn't happen they started to question again and did the aqua scan which showed an area with a possible polyp. But the consultant still says he could be wrong (5%)!

I've got a referral letter today from the GP to go private. I found an online NHS tool to check for waiting times and the two hospitals near me both have 3500+ people waiting for gynaecological treatments although no specific numbers for hysteroscopy procedure. Stats show half of the patients are seen within 9 months and I can't wait around that long.

Best of luck for your FET!! X

Hi @yyica I think I will be put on the ivf list. I have a follow up with the consultant on the Wednesday after (the appointment is on Monday week so 13/12).

I was told I’d be out straight on the list and it would probably be January/February for ivf when I had my last consultation.

Maybe go on the nhs list to see how quickly they respond because it probably varies a lot by trusts.

I was told it'd be 7-9 months for polypectomy so I ended up doing it privately. From consultation to operation it was about three weeks and cost £2745 which was slightly eye watering.

@yyica I’ve had it done now, I was worried it was going to be cancelled as the hospital had to change one of the recovery wards to an inpatient ward.
I’ve been told IVF will be March so not much of a delay from the date I was given in September. Have you heard how long your wait is likely to be?

Hi @NorthernDuck glad to hear you've had it done and that it won't be long until you start IVF! Hope it all goes well when you begin your journey in March!

I have decided to go private. No one was able or willing to say how long the wait might be but I managed to find the info on the website of the Trust that I would be referred to which is up to 7 months for 9 out of 10 patients! So I went with the recommendation by my consultant at the IVF clinic (his mate at St George's hospital) and I've been booked in for the procedure on 18th January at St George's as a private patient. Somehow my GP still sent a referral to the NHS as I received a message last week to say they will review my case and contact me to book an appointment afterwards. Maybe I will find out how long that will take!

@kennetrose just seen your reply. Thank you. Indeed, the cost is eye watery - that's the price to pay to jump the queue!