NHS Laparoscopy date question...

[endo_the_stigma]

Hey guys, I don't know if any of you will be able to answer this as it is probably different with each hospital/area/specialist. But, basically I went to an endo specialist in Birmingham and paid private for a consultation and an MRI which confirmed endo and he referred me to Bham Women's Hospital for my lap/excision surgery on the NHS as I couldn't afford it privately. It is going to be done by one of his team of surgeons and I had my appointment with them on 1st December to go through everything and sign my consent form for the surgery etc and she said it will likely be within the next 6 months that I have my surgery which is great (I cried with relief haha). But I am now going crazy checking my post box (I live in a flat) twice a day waiting for my letter confirming a date for the op😅 So all I would like to know is if anyone has been through a similar path with their laparoscopy and if so how long it took for them to get a date for their surgery?

Like I said, its probably individual to every hospital, area and surgical team but I'm driving myself nuts desperate to have a date to look forward to so I can get through the next few months!!

Much love 💛🫶

[Ps-endo]

I was exactly the same and so glad for you that you’ve finally got a surgery to help. I was pretty lucky with mine and I got a phonecall 6 weeks after my consultation (with nhs endo specialist though, my local hospital has an endo centre) and my surgery was 2 weeks later so I was only on the nhs waitlist for 8 weeks all in all, however I do know people who have waited longer/less time etc. In all honesty I expected be waiting up to a year. So I guess it really does depend. So sorry I couldn’t be more help, I hope it’s quick for you x

[endo_the_stigma in reply to Ps-endo]

Ahh that gives me some hope, thank you so much for taking time to reply! I have waited 11 years so a few more weeks shouldn't bother me but it is doing my head in for some reason😂 xx

[Ps-endo in reply to endo_the_stigma]

I felt exactly the same 😂 now I’m waiting for my histology and feel like that haha. Hope it’s quick for you xx

[Hannahp1988]

I was put on a 3 month waitlist in September, called for an update in late October but nhs said unlikely to be until the new year...I've been put on the mini pill which has helpedI'd just like it done since I'm concerned my cysts are only getting bigger and are a risk the longer they are there.

Hope you hear something back soon and your op goes well

Hannah

[endo_the_stigma in reply to Hannahp1988]

Oh god, fingers crossed they give you date soon - the waiting is torture!! x

[TennisCourt]

So glad you are getting the help you need! My area NHS wait list was 18 months. I’ve had to go private as no way I could wait that long xxx

[endo_the_stigma in reply to TennisCourt]

Yeah I can totally understand why you went private - we considered it but the quote for my specific surgery was over £7k as they could see how extensive it is from my MRI scan and I just physically cannot afford that x

[TennisCourt in reply to endo_the_stigma]

My surgery is around the £7k mark so completely understand hun. It’s a lot. But for me, I had savings there and I felt it’s best investing in my health rather than “things”! But I understand it’s not the route everyone could go down and i so wish the waiting lists were not so long x

[Annabelannabel in reply to TennisCourt]

I thought my surgery was going to cost around 7k ans thought why should I pay that when I pay my national insurance anyway a two years went by and I was happy to pay that. Then found out my endo was extensive costing 32k + any extra nights and consultations. I'd rather buy a house with that money lol if I had it! Anyway glad I stayed on the nhs list because he said I'd be in hospital 3 days+ I have bowel endo and met color rectal consultant in October I'd been referred to endo specialist a year at this point. He's sent me for a colonoscopy which I had done within a month and said a date for surgery would depend on the results. I've had all my consent form signed and all preparation sent to me. I'm hoping I'm not far off now. I was first listed for surgery in March 2023. Hope that helps.

All the best and hope you get the care you deserve.

Annabel x

[MangoStickyRice]

Hi,

I had my lap at a private hospital but under the NHS. I was told 18 weeks for mine. I did have to chase though as I’m aware that not all post arrives and feared that my letter might get lost. The surgery was putting in place for patients to receive their letters my email so I opted for that. Long story short, they sent it in the post anyway and not by email - I was away on my honeymoon at the time and emailed to get an update and to check I hadn’t been lost to the system AGAIN. I was told that the letters had been sent in the post - my post op was that afternoon (not handy when I’m two flights and 17 hours away!).

Chase chase chase. That’s what I suggest. Don’t assume that they have posted your letter and don’t assume that they will contact you to confirm you are attending it’s a shame but we must be our own advocates.

Hope our surgery goes well.

[endo_the_stigma in reply to MangoStickyRice]

Ohhh okay that is good to know thank you so much😘Hope you are doing okay xxx

[AlexaMac]

Hi as you say all areas are different. My journey was long as my first surgeon didnt take me seriously when l was a 75 year old experiencing heavy vaginal bleeding. Had first surgery with him a year later, then after them finding cancer in my womb sampling l was transferred to a new team who had me in for consult and second surgery was only a few weeks later, basically 2 ops in barely 3 months.

I sincerely hope you are soon helped and on the road to your recovery 🌸🌸

[endo_the_stigma in reply to AlexaMac]

Oh wow that is one hell of a journey🥺 Really glad you got taken seriously in the end and hope you are doing okay! Thank you for responding, hopefully I will get a date soon💛💛💛

[Kieraface]

sadly don’t know much about Birmingham nhs times but north west was a long wait so like tennis court I went private. Luckily had health insurance so it covered the cost but if you can wait it might be beneficial as with my private care I’ve been back a few times for a few procedures now and it would of cost a fortune! Hopefully they won’t keep you waiting too long and you get sorted. Surgery doesn’t always take all the pain away though so be prepared to not be 100% better but it should definitely improve things.

If you’re having really bad bleeding issues then maybe try speak to your doctor about tranexemic acid or norithestrone tablets. They can help xx

[endo_the_stigma in reply to Kieraface]

Okay, thank you so much for responding😘 I wish I could afford to go private but the cost of my surgery was just too much unfortunately - its just a waiting game now which I HATE but never mind!! xxx

[Kieraface in reply to endo_the_stigma]

It’s awful is the waiting. But you’ll get there. The main thing is that they’re finally doing something. It’s gonna happen and you’ll get the treatment you need xx