Private Operation - Hysterectomy

Luis

Hello.

I am in a bit of a conundrum and would value some advice.

I need a hysterectomy, due to protracted gynae problems (including cancer in the past), and many others too tedious and gruesome to list here. Suffice to say that I have been to hospital for gynae probs about 48 times in the last 8 yrs, and have had 6 operations.

Anyway, I am only 28, and NHS consultants seem to think that unless you have had children, this is not an option (even with my history - seriously, I have been told by a consultant that it is disgusting I am not waiting to be sure I want kids!).

The long and short of it is that I so DO NOT want kids EVER. At the risk of offending those that do want / have kids - I am sorry but I really, really, REALLY don't.

I have one more NHS appt left in April for a verdict, but I saw a different one yesterday who told me to 'stop being so ridiculous'. So it seems to me the only option I have left for any quality of life is to go Private. Only I don't know how. Or how much.

Can someone help please?

Luis

Jay-Jay_4

My friend wated to be sterilised at 24 because she never wants children but they laughed at her and told her to come back in 10 or 15 years!

The best thing for you to do would be to ring up your nearest private hospital for some advice. Just as a guide, Bupa charged between £4000 and £4700 for a hysterectomy during 2003 if that's any help.


edit: this site may be helpful x

System

Can you not ask for a second opinion? If your sure you dont want any kids i would have thought that this would have been the best option. Sometimes you have to be forceful though. You have to prove to them that you know your own mind. I had to push for sterilzation at 34 but as soon as i pointed out that i had been pregnant 6 times already and enough was enough, they bypassed the counselling.

Ted_Hutchinson

http://www.cromwell-hospital.co.uk/htmlpages/fixprice.asp
or
http://www.cromwellclinic.co.uk/fixedprice.htm

I can't explain the above contradictions.

If you want to see how much they are ripping you off however read
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abridged/328/7432/134#TBLA1

http://www.treatmentchoices.co.uk/ArtAbroad.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,9123-1438408_2,00.html

suki1964

Going private may not get you the operation either.

I tried the same approach in my late 20s and got refused.

At the age of 35 my gynaecologist finally recommended hysterectomy and after years of being adament that thats what I wanted, I was floored. For so long I was adament I didnt want children ever, but facing the reality of having the choice taken away was just too much - I declined.

I have been lucky that since that time, new treatments have come along and Im now fitted with a mirena which has made a huge difference to my quality of life

Pollen

Hi Luis

A few thoughts, you say you NEED a hysterectomy - whilst I don't doubt your diagnosis/thoughts/intentions is this what the medical profession are saying? If so, this should be straight forward and the op should take place on the medical evidence. If this consultation is not giving you the required outcome then as Judi says seek a second opinion.

However, if you just do not want a child - which is perfectly rational - women are not pre-programmed to desire this despite society's expectations, a request for sterilisation should be made and agreed with a consultant.

You should however be clear in your underlying reasons, health or if you do not want children and wish to undergo sterilisation on this basis or a combination of both.

You should not allow anyone to divert you from your intention, however you need to show you have come to a defensible rational decision and remain firm in this. It may be difficult and professionals may question you but if you can show you have looked at all the options, gathered all relevant information and made an informed choice they will be cautious in to counteracting your reasons and will more readily accept your rationale.

I would be loathe to pay for an operation in my interests which both of these may be, when they are available on the NHS

I wish you well.

Luis

Wow - thanks to everyone so far for their help - I have found all the links provided very helpful.

To answer Pollen's (justified) query about whether I need a hysterectomy - suffice to say that I have been told countless times by countless GPs, SHOs, Consultants and Nurses that if I were a) older or b) had had my children there would be no question that they would take it out.

It is so like being under 16 and unable to make choices for yourself again, that the last time I saw the one consultant I took my Mum! And believe it or not, it is the most seriously they have ever taken me! They have started me on an injection primarily designed for Prostate Cancer, which suppresses hormones entirely - which is actually great apart from the side effects of Hot Flushes every 20 minutes (genuinely), and terrible joint pain.

Anyway - last chance appt now is 13th April (trying to get Mum to come to that one too). I think I am going to have to start saving though - looks like about £5k

Luis

Bossyboots

My friend had three children and had to beg for a hysterectomy. In the end, on her "final" appointment at the hospital she totally lost the plot, sat in the chair howling and asking between sobs why no-one was interested in how much pain she was in and how she did not feel she could go on.

Less than six months later the operation was done. She was also offered a psychiatric assessment which she refused before the operation. She did go and see the psych afterwards who diagnosed her as not suffering from any mental ill health and indeed, her response at that last appointment appeared measured and entirely appropriate in all the circumstances!

nearlyrich

I sympathise with you and hope that you can get sorted soon, I had the op about 9 years ago at the age of 32, I was informed that I would have to wait for 18 months to 2 years on the NHS waiting list and, like you my quality of life, and more importantly my ability to do my job and earn the money I needed to look after my children, were in danger of being affected.

I didn't have Private Health Insurance at the time but the consultant offered me fixed price surgery and the total cost including the hospital stay in a lovely private hospital was about £3000.( I think most of it was for hotel services which was totally wasted as I just slept for the whole time I was in) I had to take 3 months off work and I did lose some earnings but I believe it was money well spent as I think I would have lost my job due to taking time off for ill health if I had waited for the NHS.

My tip is to write down your symptoms in a diary as often as you can, and as you have said take your mum to support you. You have a right to not be in pain and if a hysterectomy would be right for you if you had had your family it should be your decision to give up the right to have children if it would be better for your health.

Pollen

nearlyrich wrote:

My tip is to write down your symptoms in a diary as often as you can, and as you have said take your mum to support you. You have a right to not be in pain and if a hysterectomy would be right for you if you had had your family it should be your decision to give up the right to have children if it would be better for your health.

Wise advice, the more evidence you can gather the better - also request a second opinion.

Remember the NHS Patients Charter HERE especially the first bullet point Access to Services 'receive health care on the basis of your clinical need, not on your ability to pay, your lifestyle or any other factor' and under HERE Providing Information second bullet point 'have access to your health records'. Use this to support your case - I am unsure of the timescale of providing records but details would support your case as these should have been recorded.

It is humiliating that you feel you have not been treated like an adult, but make good use of your mum as support. Often with gynaecological problems they are loathe to act because the assumption is that women do not know their own minds and need a man to add consent for things such as sterilisation.

Thinking of you and I hope you have a good outcome.

Luis

Thanks for the support from you all - funny how it makes things seem a little less gloomy to know that total strangers sympathise!

Mum has managed to get the day off for my next appt, so fingers crossed. This has had a huge impact on my job too, what with days off when I am poorly, plus having to get time off when I have appts - I have had 2 hospital appointments this year so far, plus another on monday and the one in April to come. Then I have to see the Nurse every month for this injection, plus all the intervening appointments with GP for new antibiotics etc. I work for the Civil Service, who use the Bradford Formula thing to calculate sick leave, and live in fear of having to take time off.

Whilst I am here - does anyone know any tips for Hot Flushes? I cannot have HRT (due to the injections), and seem tospend my life putting on and taking off layers of clothing, opening and closing windows, and throwing the duvet on and off. I am trying Evening Primrose Oil, to no real effect.

Luis.