Has anyone had a cervical polyp removed under general anaesthetic?

[AveryC]

Hi everyone, just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience.

I found out I had a cervical polyp during a routine cervical check with my GP. The GP said it was very small and looked harmless, but referred me to the hospital to have it removed just to be safe.

When I first went to the hospital, the person who booked the appointment told me it was just for a check-up. But when I got there, the doctor said he could remove it there and then. I was really nervous because I hadn’t mentally prepared for a procedure that day, and the doctor was male which made me even more anxious. Because I was so tense, he offered to do it under general anaesthetic. I said I didn’t think I needed that and that I was only nervous because I hadn’t expected a procedure that day, but it ended up being booked with general anaesthetic anyway.

The second time I went back was for the pre-op assessment, and I told them again that I’d rather not have general anaesthetic. They said because the surgery has already been booked that way, if I go ahead with it, it has to be done under general anaesthetic.

I’m feeling quite worried about it now, so just wondering if anyone here has had a cervical polyp removed under general anaesthetic before? What was it like?
I’m due to have it done at Royal Oldham Hospital, so it would also be really helpful to hear from anyone who’s had the procedure there.

Thanks in advance.

I had a uterine polyp and flat out refused to have it removed without GA! It was fine, it was a day admission and I was home again by about 15.30. I had two days off work in total (procedure on Thursday, then had Friday off as well). Fine to go back to work by Monday. GA is weird but the recovery was fine.

Definitely better to have GA, I wouldn’t have it done without. Mine was fine, a little spotting afterwards.

anaesthetist pov... it doesn't have to be under GA (and they clearly can't do one without your consent). There will still be scope to have a conversation on the day about either having just local anaesthetic/a GA (or even a short acting spinal injection if that appeals/there's no contraindication). If the surgeons and you agree that just local isn't going to work/be idea/isn't what you want in the end then the anaesthetist rather than the surgeon will discuss which of the anaesthetic options is most sensible for you. At least if you've had the anaesthetic pre-op work up you have options rather than turning up on the day, finding out local's not going to be enough and then having to start again. It's really not that uncommon a scenario.

I think I had one removed by GA and I was fine. I had experienced some bleeding

I’m having that done also and I had the choice but chose GA. I’ve had a couple of very uncomfortable gynae appts in the past like burning cells off my cervix etc and really don’t want to go through that again being awake.

I had a cervical polyp removed. Certainly no
GA discussion. Not sure if the dr used anything to numb the area or not but it was fine

I’ve had one done without GA and definitely wouldn’t recommend that, I have to say.

I was surprised like you to be told one ployp could be removed there and then when I went for the first appointment at the gynae clinic. No analgesia and it was fine (1cm long). 2 other uterine polyps of similar size were removed with gas and air/cocodamol at a following appointment. It was uncomfortable for a second or two but I didn't want a GA as I needed to drive later that day.

I had mine removed at Oldham Royal!
It was thirty odd years ago though.
Hardly felt a thing afterwards though had to stay in overnight which was normal then.

I had a cervical polyp removed with a local anaesthetic and didnt feel a thing, and I've got a very low pain threshold. Im amazed that a doctor would suggest a general anaesthetic for removing a small polyp.

I had a local and got to watch it on the screen as they used a camera. It was fascinating so if they offer the option to watch I'd recommend it!

I had one removed under GA , it was the size of a plum. I don’t recall being offered local but not sure I would have wanted that.

I had one removed about 3 months ago at a colposcopy appointment. Doctor said it was pretty sizeable and she removed it then and there. No pain at all. Report said it was benign.

I’ve had two removed with no pain relief, one at the gp. I didn’t feel any pain and they put silver nitrate on it afterwards.

Thanks for sharing, that actually makes me feel a bit more reassured. I was worried that having general anaesthetic might be a bit excessive, so it’s good to hear your recovery went well.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience, it really makes me feel a lot more reassured. 😊

Thanks for sharing your perspective, I really appreciate it. I actually asked the nurse during my pre-op assessment, but she said since it had already been booked it would have to be GA. There was also one question I didn’t fully understand as English isn’t my first language, so they’ve asked me to come back again with an interpreter. I’ll ask them again next time. Thanks again for sharing your experience.

Even routine cervical screening is really painful for me 😫 so GA might actually be the better option. I think what makes me nervous is the idea of being completely unconscious during the surgery.

Yes, why on earth isn't this on the letter? I completely assumed it was just an initial consultation and only phoned when my husband queried it. Turns out it was booked as a local anaesthetic clinic. Well why wasn't I informed of that?! Cancelled the appointment as was flying the next day which is apparently not advised. It makes me really cross just thinking about it actually. I'm genuinely baffled as to why they wouldn't provide an information sheet or something so you know what might happen at the appointment.

I had two removed under a general 18 months ago. All I can remember is turning up, going to theatre, and waking up to a very kind nurse who gave me a cuppa and a custard cream.
Went home the same day. If you have discomfort during procedures this is a good option. Honestly, it’s just like falling asleep for a nap and then waking up. Nothing to be scared of and I’ve had a few.

I had mine removed without a GA, the consultant said he could remove it there and then or he could book me in for a GA, decided to go for it and it was a bit uncomfortable but nothing unbearable and I have a very low pain threshold.

I had one last year, with GA, because of unrelated complications. It appeared small on scans but was much larger & the surgeon had to “do some digging around” to get it out, thus it took longer too.
As you’d guess, I strongly recommend a GA!

Had this privately under GA in 2023. Easy. There's no way on God's earth a person is cutting off part of my inside whilst I'm awake !!!

i had a gynae appointment for removal of a polyp without anaesthetic and had to stop the doctor as it was too painful (I think I have quite a high pain threshold). Went in for GA and was found not to have a cervical polyp but scar tissue from a previous colposcopy and cryo treatment for precancerous cells.
The surgeon did find a small uterine polyp whilst she was in there so removed that at the same time. Woke up from a lovely sleep to the best cup of tea and toast! I recommend a GA

When I first went to the hospital, the receptionist called me the day before to book the appointment. I specifically asked a few times whether it was just a check-up or if they were planning to do a surgery, and she told me it was just to speak with the doctor.

When I arrived, I was suddenly told they could remove the polyp there and then. I had absolutely no warning that this might happen.

I’m already very nervous about gynaecological examinations, and having a male doctor and being told unexpectedly that a surgery was going to be done made me extremely anxious. I was so tense that it just wasn’t possible to go ahead.

Because of that, they suggested doing it under GA instead.