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Advice on hospitals - London?

Posted , 3 users are following.

bichisor
bichisor

Hi All, I have been offered surgery for varicose veins removal and I have a few options but not sure which would be the best hospitals not only in terms of care but also in terms of procedures they use. I was hoping I will not have to go through veins stripping but rather laser or foam or anything along that side of treatment that has a shorter recovery period. The options I have are as follows: Edgeware, The Whittington, Barnet, Potters Bar, St Mary's, Royal Free and UCH. I would love to hear your opinions on this please. Thank you

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy bichisor

    Posted

    I have been told the best is to look for a surgeon who does lots of vein operations. I had a VNUS Closure earlier this year which uses radio frequency, similar technique to laser but does not heat up as much so less likely to get burns. If you can get either on the NHS that is brilliant, I had to pay for mine. I had a local anaesthetic, the whole thing took about twenty five minutes including sclerotherapy for some wiggly veins. I did not drive home but was told I could have done. I even went swimming a week later. 
    • bichisor
      bichisor ptolemy

      Posted

      Thank you for your message ptolemy. How would I find which surgeon does a lot of operations (having in mind this will be on NHS)? I have been searching the net for info but I must say, not readily available sad
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy bichisor

      Posted

      Firstly I should find out which hospitals do laser or VNUS Closure. I know stripping is still used by the NHS in some places, but London may have made the twenty first century. Then choose the most convenient hospital and look at their website and find out about their vascular surgeons' specialities. If you are not happy work through the other hospitals.

      Did your GP tell you the hospitals you can go to? Can they recommend someone? Do you have to see the vein specialist first to OK if they will do your veins on the NHS or is that all sorted out? 

    • bichisor
      bichisor ptolemy

      Posted

      I think the best solution is to ask the GP's advice on this, you are quite right. I suppose I will need to see the specialist to have the ultrasound done. Thank you!
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy bichisor

      Posted

      Yes you normally see a specialist accompanied by a radiologist who does the ultra sound. Some specialists do it themselves. Mine didn't. This shows the veins that are rubbish so they know which ones to get rid of. When they do the operation they use the ultra sound so they can see which veins to zap.
  • Antonia565
    Antonia565 bichisor

    Posted

    I had 5 unsuccessful operations on the same leg in Barnet, Royal Free , Middle Sex and Charing Cross  Hosp. I didn’t have good experience and I can’t advise any NHS hospital. Next operation I am thinking to go privately.

     

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy Antonia565

      Posted

      Antonia That is awful. What type of procedure did you have? Was is it stripping or laser?
  • bichisor
    bichisor

    Posted

    Oh Antonia, that's really dishartening. I would also be interested in the type of procedure/procedures you had. One of the hospitals I was inclined to consider was Charing Cross sad
  • Antonia565
    Antonia565 bichisor

    Posted

    The first op.was stripping in Charing Cross, the second was phlebectomy/avultion. Then I had emergency op. in Royal Free because I had clot (turned out a totally useless op. Than I was promised to have RFA (radio-freq.ablation) under general anaesthetic but the surgeon failed to perform it and did not explain why. In Charring Cross I was told by GP that I would have  the best surgeon and he planned RFA under local anaesthetic but also failed telling me that my vein went to spasm and he said he will do an op. number six under general anaesthetic again but I have no confidence left. The main problem for me now is a recurrent thrombophlebitis.
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy Antonia565

      Posted

      That sounds quite a story. Over what period of time was it? Did the initial stripping work? Was the phlebectomy just a tidy up? Do you know why they wanted to do the RFA under a general, do you think they thought there would be problems? When you actually had the RFA were you aware your vein had gone into spasm? How long ago did you have the RFA? Don't worry to answer all my questions if I am being nosey! 
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