My ongoing gynae problems

[Halifaxmum]

Went to see the consultant gynae at CRH yesterday and asked for the hysterectomy. She said she will not do it "because of my weight" (I'm 13 1/2 stone).

She didn't say how much I need to lose, I know I should be about 10 1/2, but I thought they only didn't do operations if you were really drastically overweight? Do I need to get to 10 1/2 before they'll consider it?

She said she will do the Novasure procedure and that they don't do the microwave ablation that I had last year anymore (which didn't work, in fact, has made my bleeding longer).

Looking it up, the Novasure seems to be the same as the microwave - is it? If it is, what is the point of having it again, when it hasn't worked the first time.

TIA

[evil__sheep]

i know it's really easy to say (because most questions don't occur till afterwards) but you really need to be asking your consulant what weight SHE would be happy doing the op at because it sounds like she has her own criteria

[Sqad]

Good point Halifax.

Worth a try I suppose, anything to put off the inevitability of hysterectomy.

[NoMercy]

Your local authority will only need to ask permission for funding if you have a BMI of over 40. You are nowhere near that mark and you are most certainly eligible for surgery.

[evil__sheep]

disagree no mercy

[NoMercy]

Quelle surprise, Poods.

[Halifaxmum]

Thanks for your replies - I feel like I'm being fobbed off. This bleeding ruins my bloody life (sorry), it's just excuse after excuse. Then I have to wait months and months for the next appointment, just to be fobbed off again.

Sqad -Why do you say to put off the hysterectomy? I know it's a major procedure, but I know what is involved and have had major surgery before.

I wish I'd stayed at Bradford - the consultant there said he was quite prepared to do the hysterectomy, but then I moved house and moved to Calderdale as the waiting list was shorter.

[Sqad]

Halifax........I just have that feeling.....waiting times.....I don't know. I can't buy the weight excuse.

I bet if you went private....your hysterectomy would be done within a week.

Are female Gynaecologists less amenable than male Gynaecologists to perform hysterectomies.......I wonder?............I don't know.

[Halifaxmum]

Oh, thanks Sqad. Political decision then...!

Shame I can't afford it! I feel like asking them if you had to live like this, would you put up with it? I bet they'd say no.

So I guess, it's put up and shut up. I'm hoping to get a new job shortly, I do hope they're understanding when I'm visiting the loo every hour...!? Hmmm...back to the JobCentre I think.

[carmalee]

halifaxmum -I hope things work out for you - imo a hysterectomy is no big deal I had one many many years ago (when I was in my late thirties) and was up and about very quickly and have never had one iota of problems or regrets. Did have a huge fight to get it done though (male gynie) said I was too young etc etc but finally accepted the argument it was my body, my choice and he didn't have to put up with what I was dealing with each month. Not sure about male v female gynies although obviously female ones have an advantage - it just seems there are more male ones around. Ask lots of questions and make sure you are satisfied with the answers - it's very easy to get fobbed off. Best of luck

[NoMercy]

Go back to your GP and ask him/her to write a very strong-worded letter to the Gynae Dept, requesting that they outline their reason(s) for refusing surgery. They may be less inclined to commit their excuses to print.

[Hopkirk]

How about getting yourself to ten and a half stone, and asking again?

[Sqad]

NoMercy....Medicine and Surgery is all about opinions.........as simple as that.......gut feelings.....hunches.....and of course, as you mentioned.....facts.

One can always find a reason for refusing surgery.

This may sound odd and I am not referring to this particular case, but there are certain operations that some surgeons don't like doing and will do anything to avoid performing.

[Halifaxmum]

Thank you all for your answers.

Does anyone know if the Novasure is the same as the microwave - it sounds the same?

[evil__sheep]

just because one health authority has a "bmi 40 or below" rule for surgery, dosen't mean another one does (halifax has already said the other one was going to do it) so it sounds to me like the surgeon herself has a specific criteria. Therefore no=one here will be bale to help as none of us are that surgeon!
Halifax, perhaps either get in touch with the consultants secretary to ask what weight she would like you to be or ask your gp to write as ststed above

[NoMercy]

Be that as it may, Sqad, if the OP's symptoms are ongoing and past treatment has failed, the Consultant should consider other forms of intervention not simply refuse based on the fact that he does not really like performing a certain procedure.

[Dee Sa]

go back to your GP and ask can you see another consultant at another hospital and you dont mind travelling out.See what they suggest to loose weight. You have my sympathy as my mother suffered with gynae problems all her life and it got her down and she became very depressed.Tell GP exactly how you feel. I am surprised that a woman consultant wasnt more sympathetic.

[Sqad]

Halifax....sorry i haven't answered your question,,,,they are basically the same and both use high frequency radiowaves.


NoMercy......I did say that I was not referring to this case.......but only that one cannot force a surgeon into operating, as all he need to say is that he does not feel that an operation is justifiable.........he does not have to elucidate further........or give reasons. The ball is then in the court of the patient and GP.

[Halifaxmum]

Dee Sa - I'm thinking of doing exactly that.

If I did go back to Bradford, would the fact that the consultant at CRH refused to do it affect the decision of the Bradford consultant?

Sqad - thanks, I thought they sounded the same - she tried to tell me it was totally different and that microwave was regarded as out of date and not as effective, but it was only last year when I had it done!

[anneasquith]

gp appointment. be referred to another surgeon.

[jake-the-peg]

You are being fobbed off.

My wife had a hysterectomy a few yearrs ago due to having a cancer gene that made her a high risk and she has diabete and is way way more than 13 stone!