Going Private??

[Em0000]

Hello all, I have just been diagnosed with Endometriosis from a transvaginal scan. I also have PCOS, Interstitial Cystitis and Vulvodynia. My endometrial cyst has continued to grow (had it for a year now). The gynae said it wouldn't go away by itself and I would need an operation and the waiting list is a year long. I'm extremely lucky to be in the situation where my parents have offered to help me to pay towards a private laparascopy. Has anyone else been through this or have any advice on how to start looking for a private laproscopy?

[Jenn2022]

I just googled private treatment for endometriosis and then emailed the places that came up.. The only one that replied was a private hospital near me. If you're in a big city you'll have a lot more options.

[Minnie153]

Hi Em,

I would make sure you find a specialist in endometriosis surgery - cross check this out from their nhs website info, not just what’s written on the private hospital website.

Best of luck xx

[Em0000 in reply to Minnie153]

Thank you for the tip! Xx

[635703]

If you’re prepared to fight you won’t have to spend their money. I’ve been waiting 11 months and I find out tomorrow when my NHS surgery will be.

If you want it done soon, go for it!!

[635703 in reply to 635703]

Find out if they are a BSGE surgeon by googling the Consultant on the BSGE website. This means they are a skilled and experienced Endo specialist surgeon. Ensure that they offer you excision surgery and not ablation - cutting the disease out as opposed to burning it off as there’s less chance of it coming back quickly.

Hope that helps. Ring Endometriosis.UK helpline to ask what to do. What to look for.

All the best!

[Em0000 in reply to 635703]

Thanks so much, I was only diagnosed last week so a lot to learn about, I've learnt more on here then in the doctors office x

[635703 in reply to Em0000]

I would spend money on This Endo Life website with Jessica Duffin and do a course on how to manage your symptoms.

There’s a free podcast with so much information. Search through and have a listen….it takes time to understand things and we are her first you. If you get overwhelm give us a message x x x

[Lindle]

The extent of endometriosis that has been found by the scan will depend on the expertise of the ultrasonographer. Usually it will be ovarian endometriosis (endometriomas) that are picked up and these usually indicate deep endometriosis elsewhere (severe endo). On the NHS you should/would then be referred for more expert scanning before being referred to a specialist endo centre. Excision for severe endo is very complex and requires an expert multidisciplinary team in such a centre. The same applies privately as the same safety standards must apply. So even though private care is tempting for the speed aspect you do have to be so very carefully where you choose to go. It is best to go to a private multidisciplinary centre from the off because if further scans do confirm severe endo that is where you would need to be operated on in which case expect to pay 10K plus.

[Em0000 in reply to Lindle]

Thank you, for this, I will go for my first consultation and scan and then probably review my options. Thanks for the advice x

[Lindle in reply to Em0000]

Good plan. x

[CamBel]

Hi I’m in the same situation regarding going private.

I have booked a private consultation through one of my local private hospitals.

Like previous advice, I looked at the gynaecologists profiles on the private hospital website and then cross-referenced their details on the NHS by simply searching their names and clicking on the NHS hospital weblink that came up.

They have got to be an endometriosis specialist gynaecologist otherwise my NHS consultant told me I’d be wasting my time.

I have been told by friends who had cancer that they attended the consultation privately and then asked the private consultant to refer them back to the NHS for the actual treatment. It sped up the process. So I’m going to chance my arm and see if that’s a possibility.

If you don’t ask you don’t get. My husband has Bupa through work and he does this all the time.

I think this would be a cheaper and more streamlined option since as previous advice has mentioned, you may need a multi-disciplinary team to remove the endo tissue depending on what organs it is impacting which would potentially increase costs.

If money is no object, your private consultant’s secretary is the person that will tell you the cost (they have the codes for the different ops/procedures).

There’s additional costs to consider eg scans, bloods, pre-op appt etc. not just the laparoscopy. If money is no object then fantastic! But just something to be aware of.

I have read it can cost thousands and thousands by the time everything has been done.

Good luck and I’d love to hear how you get on in this thread x