NHS wait for laparoscopy and fertility/ TTC

[Englishrose35]

Hi,
Sorry if this is not the right place to post. Based in London and just wondering if anyone knows approx waiting list times for an NHS laparoscopy?

I'm 34 and TTC. I have PCOS. I was having some bleeding so had a repeat Ultrasound and I have a polyp and also a nodule in the adnexa. This is all private and my Gynae said they really don't know what it is. I'm having a repeat ultrasound and then may need a laparoscopy to investigate further. Probably they would do a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy at the same time if needed.

I don't have insurance so have referred to the same consultant on NHS in case I do need surgery.

But I'm really worried about the wait times for these things in the NHS. The consultant did say as I'm TTC that they could try and expedite but it is just creating a lot of stress and anxiety whilst I wait to find out what the repeat ultrasound shows. The only thing the report suggested it could be was endometriosis but my consultant doesn't think that it would be seen there.

Thanks and sorry for the rant
But would be keen to know if anyone knows wait list times for laparoscopys

Hey!

I'm based in the Midlands so waiting times will vary but I've been waiting 7 months for an NHS laparoscopy for endometriosis and hydrosalpinx for TTC reasons too.

I was originally told the wait was 4 months but have recently been told its now 6 - 9 months. I'd advise having regular contact with your consultants secretary and ask them to add you to the short notice waiting list too for any cancellations 🙂

I had mine done in London last year, and eventually went private for it through work. But the wait time I was given when on the NHS waiting list was one year (in 2021).

Think I’m very lucky, based in Salisbury and waited two months for the surgery xx

Thanks
It's so long to wait isn't it..especially when TTC in mid 30s for me

Can I ask how long was the wait with go Privately? And what was the cost?

The wait privately was only about 2 months, and that was because it was over the summer and the surgeons seems to take a break in August commonly. Once they were back in Sept I had it done. I don't know how much the cost was, it went directly to my insurer, which was paid for by my employer.

I waited 18 months and was classed as an urgent case as they knew from ultrasounds and MRI that I was stage 4. One thing I wish I had done was pester more! Ringing up the appointment line and telling them you can take a cancellation can work in your favour (providing your work will allow this). I also got fed up and cried on the phone to the booking person and they magically managed to find me an appointment. The consultant who carried out my surgery also referred me to the fertility clinic the day after my surgery, so no GP appointment was needed and I got seen by them pretty soon afterwards!

I had a laparoscopy done privately due to a hydrosalpinx requiring a tube being clipped. I went privately as I was was told the NHS wait was 2 years! It cost around £5000 and I had the procedure within 2 weeks of the initial consultation.

Thank you for sharing.
That's such a long wait and it's really stressful if TTC and knowing this might be a factor.
I'm going to call and see if they can bring forward if any cancellations.
That is good they referred you to fertility straight after it - was that for IVF then?

Thank you - 2 years is shocking.
It's good you had the funds to pay privately. I think if needed I will fork out for it as I don't think my mental health with be able to withstand waiting and waiting.
Can I ask - where is this? And if in London - do you have any recommendations?
Also I assume this was under general anaesthetic?
And did you have to stay overnight or was it a day case?

I'm not very happy with my private consultant at the moment as she seems to think it is just acceptable to just send for more and more scans and delay things.

@Englishrose35 I'm in Scotland but it was a Circle Group hospital which I think are all over the UK. Yes under general anesthetic and I was discharged at lunchtime having had the procedure at 8am. The NHS were so blasé about the 2 year wait as if people haven't been through enough !

Thank you for that.
How do they expect people TTC or anyone to wait 2-years for surgery that may impact their fertility?!

To be honest, my consultant is so blasé as well - she keeps saying it can take healthy people up to 1-year to conceive which is fine. But then if I have several issues which may impact on fertility (age, PCOS plus this polyp and maybe an endometriosis nodule?) - then why would you not try to expedite things. I feel so anxious the whole time we are TTC knowing there are these issues

@Englishrose35 i saw the fertility clinic end of June, and it was decided at my first appointment that IVF would be needed. I just had some blood tests, and thankfully endometriosis doesn’t seem to have affected my egg reserve which was great news. I was advised there was a bit of a wait to start IVF as they’re still clearing backlogs from covid but I start next week. I’m sure if I’d gone private the process would be much quicker but tbh I was still holding out hope that I’d conceive naturally following my laparoscopy, but I’m happy now we have a plan in place. I am in my mid-20’s though so didn’t feel a huge amount of pressure to get started right away with IVF😊

@Ros456 hi, I am also based in Scotland and have recently had a tube removed due to an ectopic. The other tube has hydrosalpinx. I’ve not even got referred yet to a fertility specialist as I need to wait for my period to return but trying to get my head around everything and start planning. Can I ask whereabouts in Scotland you are that they estimated a 2 year wait for the surgery? Do you know if you have the surgery privately if you can then receive ivf through the nhs?

Hi, this was in Glasgow. Yes the NHS had no problem with me having the procedure privately before going ahead with NHS funded IVF. All the best in your journey