Debulking surgery private?

[amrpm]

Has anyone had debulking surgery privately. My oncologist private wants me to have a particular surgeon and I am quite happy with him but am worried about having some complex surgery outside the NHS. Private hospital does have a high dependency unit where I will be for 1-2 days. Wondered if other people had any experience

[Caroles1]

I have and found everything second to none. Treatment, hospital, surgeon and aftercare, amazing and everything done much faster.

That is my experience,but would ask you to research properly into your surgeon and hospital.

I was in a high dependency ward for 2 days and my treatment was great.

I’m sure your oncologist has your best interests at heart, but do your own research to put your mind at rest,

All the best,

Carole xx

[amrpm in reply to Caroles1]

Caroles1 thank you so much for this - really cheered me up

[Caroles1 in reply to amrpm]

Glad to be of help, I am 3 1/2 years NED and getting regular checks and so far all ok, most days I don’t think of cancer, I’m too busy 😀

[amrpm in reply to Caroles1]

I have extensive pelvic adhesions due to earlier fibroid removal surgery - did you have to have bowel resection as well. I have been told it is a possibility. By the way any tips for recovery

[amrpm in reply to amrpm]

Also congrats on NED

[Caroles1 in reply to amrpm]

I had a bowel surgeon on hand and they have never been the same since😳but in a positive way, not being able to go is the worst.

Tips on recovery..... don’t overdo anything, do as you are told, gentle walking as your only excercise. Wear loose clothes as you won’t want anything tight on your scar and just be kind to yourself, rest when you need to and don’t make excuses or feel ashamed of it, oh and accept any help that is offered.

Best of luck, you will be fine,

Carole

[amrpm in reply to Caroles1]

Carole you are brilliant. Thank you so much

[amrpm in reply to amrpm]

PS sorry for asking so much. Did you have to do bowel prep?

[Caroles1 in reply to amrpm]

No, not at all, they didn’t know if mine was bowel or ovarian, but it was ovarian in the end, 1c, still had to have chemo though

[amrpm in reply to Caroles1]

Sorry for bothering you with all these questions. You have been a big help. Bless you.

[Hidden]

Hello - just wondering what the name of your private hospital is, I have been trying to find one that has a HD unit. Lyn x

[amrpm in reply to Hidden]

Don’t know if I can say the name but it’s the one in Chelsea and it’s HCA

[amrpm in reply to amrpm]

Forgive me don’t know where you live. Most of the private hospitals in London have HDU . Happy to pm my experience once I have got through this. Happy to be of help in any way😊

[Hidden in reply to amrpm]

Thank you for the info, am trying to put a back up plan into place in case my surgery gets cancelled again! Suspect I just need to be more patient. Good Luck with your op and yes do stay in touch, I am also being treated in London.

[DianesK]

Hi amrpm

I had my debulking privately. It was 3 years ago now, I was in London and the treatment was amazing. I did go into HDU for a day, they were really on the ball and had everything I needed.

I didn’t need any treatment for bowels (although I could do with it now 🙄) After the op, rest is key and listening to your body, we sometimes forget and go into superwoman status ( which of course we are !!)

Good Luck with it . Sending hugs xx 🌻

[amrpm in reply to DianesK]

Thank you so much for the response. 😊😊

[Lindaura]

I had fabulous surgery through the NHS in Bath’s Royal United Hospital.

The surgeon was fantastic and used the Plasma-jet instrument to zap all little lesions (200 of them!) on my bowels.

I was in hospital for 8 days and had nurse practitioners visiting me once a week to change my dressing afterwards.

If you are lucky enough to be near a good public hospital, you should take advantage of this.

The wealthy die in private care at the same rate as those using the NHS.

It is also good to remember that most consultants also work for the NHS.

Best wishes,

Laura

[amrpm in reply to Lindaura]

Hi appreciate this. I think there is good and bad in both systems. The good news about private is that you can chose your doctor, bad news is lack of overall support (I think if things go wrong).

[amrpm in reply to amrpm]

I am going private because choice of surgeon but I have reservations. 😊😊

[Rosado22]

I went private and was treated so well but it was for the hysterectomy and lymph sampling ovaries appendix etc as per my scan and the waiting time was too much on nhs. However there was a lot under the affected mass and now need to get big op in nhs hospital where the team can keep on operating without any timescale. Depends on proposed extent of surgery but I was treated so well

[Newbie_2020]

The surgeon is the primary factor. Part of their decisions is not to take any risks.

NHS surgeons also operate in private hospitals. For example, Hammersmith Hospital team perform complex operations, such as debulking's, not just at their private Sainsbury's Wing but also at the Cromwell and King Edward's etc