I am waiting to have a hip replacement and a very nervous and aprehemsive. I have opted to go privately which excludes me from any help with mobilty aids ( borrowed now) and won't have care at home. I do have great neighbours who will come in daily. Will I be able to cope?
Bunty
Dear Bunty,
Welcome to our family - you found us !!!! you will find loving support here where we share our personal stories ...
I don't know much about insurances, but do you mean that you pay for the surgery and have no insurance at all?
I live in Holland and my insurance does cover some aids but for some I have to rent them (like crutches) -
do you know what you need after surgery? the raised toilet seat, crutches, grabber (purchase) -
when is your surgery and how many days will they keep you? will you get any physical therapy while in hospital ...
Sorry for asking so many questions ..
please, if you want, tell us more about your self - we are all here to help you ...
warm hug
renee
What made you pay for your hip op, where abouts are you,I know to pay for the consultation and the hip op you are looking at £15000 easily I had my first hip op in May this year and hopefully the other hip will be done towards Xmas time
hi
i went privately with insurance at spire in leicester but was given mobility aids and just had to pay £8.50 for crutches hire. Also I had physio but think that was on my policy. I had never been in hospital before and do not worry it will be the best decision you make. I went privately as would have to wait approximately 18 months for the operation on the nhs in our area. I am having my other hip done in october. Do not worry. Its only first 2-3 weeks that are the worst but with good planning and all the aids available at home you will be fine.
good luck. maggie
Hi Alice,
It's only natural that you're nervous and apprehensive but you'll be fine. I also went private (but through the NHS - Patient Choice - You will get a choice of hospitals, among which may be private options - Have you looked into this? You wouldn't have to wait longer than 18 weeks from Referral to treatment (another NHS initiative).
I'll tell you about the equipment I had and where I got it. I found it helpful to me.This is my personal experience and I had a negative comment about this, my only one on this forum as everyone else has been lovely... Disappointing as all the other comments have been so positive and I was only trying to help. At the risk of another negative comment from that individual here we go...
I hired my equipment from the British Red Cross at my local hospital. They don't charge but just ask for a donation. I had: A chair that was high enough for me not to have to stoop to get into it. I hired a commode, a raised toilet seat, a frame to go round the toilet with handles either side, a walking frame (but I didn't need that) and I purchased a tall folding wooden table from Argos for £9.99. This is handy to have beside your chair to put drinks on, remotes etc. Mine is now a plant stand! As you can't sleep on your side for a few weeks I used a boomerang shaped pillow and one of the long pregnancy pillows to wedge me in place.
It sounds like you have a good support network. Perhaps your neighbours will help you to prepare meals. As time goes on you will be able to do more but at first you'll get tired easily.I hope this advice helps, it is only my experience and you will get to learn of other's experiences and tips. Good luck, you will be just fine!
Hi Maggie,
I've just seen your posting. With the NHS they have to operate no later than 18 weeks (RTR - Referral to Treatment). You shouldn't have to wait later than this. They get penalised for this so are very careful that it falls no later than 18 weeks. Also with NHS Patient Choice they have to give you a list of hospitals to choose from. I was given a choice of 5, two were private, Spire and Wessex Nuffield. I chose WN. I'm sure it would be the same for you. You would probably get similar choices, one of which is likely to be The Spire. Your care is identical and you certainly don't pay to hire crutches.... These are essential and not something you should have to pay for. Look into your operation for October and see if you can have it done under NHS Patient Choice. Good luck for October. I hope it goes well,
12_to 18 months here on NHS. Northern Ireland
I went privately but private hospital made referral to occupational therapy and I got aids from them. I also got grabber from district nurse. If you need care at home apply to social services or which ever if appropriate in your area. Going private does not take away your right to care. Here in northern Ireland, respite care can also be applied for if yoiu are totally alone. Good luck. This forum is a life enhancer.
I did a post on stuff needed after op and others added to it. Have a look at it.
I saw that negative comment. I needed and used all the stuff you mentioned so we just have to accept our differences. Some live alone and need to have as many aids as possible to be independent.
hi
not sure why but I was told 18 months and then checked with my insurer and they said they would pay if i couldnt have the operation on the nhs within an agreed time of 18 weeks so axa agreed to pay for both as
I couldnt get the operation in time. Not sure why leicester different but anyway happy with the spire now and also happy to have the second operation with same surgeon. thanks looking forward to october now.
am going in on the 7th.....bought a She-wee instead of havingb a cpmode..yikes. Going to go to Argos and buy picker upper thing!
Lists everywhere...Its the 'beiong on my own' that worrieds me when I come home.Have cats too which will have to be fed 'high up!
I have also purchased a She-wee as sitting down and standing is extremely painful. Take time to practise using it before your op though.
Forgot to say I haven't had THR yet, I have an MRI appointment for next week and then the consultant the following week.
No I am completely self funding and it is a huge amount for me to pay up!
Everything is charged for even medication..I have been told I will get crutches which is big of the hopsital as I couldn't leave the hospital without them! Just packing my case and gives me the jitters just doing that. I am a big girls blouse!
Bunty
Iam paying because I have an extreme, unreasonable ( not gentle) phobia about hospitals and illness. A very expensive phobia in this case. You are right it is a little under 14 K and a huge amount out of my limited savings which were supposed to be my back up when I am ancient and needing care. GP says although I am not in huge amounts of pain and rarely take pain killers this op has to be done sometime as it will only get worse...and I would need carers earlier!
You will think me crazy but was offered the op on NHS after only a 12 week wait. I have an unreasonable terror of hospitals which no amount of reassurance will cure.. Hence me going privately..not because I can afford it as I am paying myslef out of precious and limited savings ..not an insurrance policy..or bcause I think myself grand. Just terror of hospitals and at least this was I will have my own room. believe me if it was any other way I would have gone NHS. I am hvaing the same surgeon BUT and know it must sound crazy..Only way I can face this op..which is on 7th..also no equipment is provided when you opt for self funding which is dreadful. I have borrowed begged and am looking on line for other OT stuff. Thanks anyway...
Thank you for your reassuring message. I didn't know about Book and Choose till I had arranged the op privately. I am normally a very self assured person..and don't recognise the 'wet blanket' I am now. I do have a good network of friends just not family and am widowed ( like lots I know) and do not have childen.l So wanted reasurrance about the night times really. Bought a 'She Wi' this morning instead of having to find space for a commode..that made me laugh in Boots today. This is a good site..apart from one or two negative remarks..not what is needed right now. but most are helpful and supportive..as your was.
Thank you.
u
Thank you..How useful
Thank you for your encoraging mail. To be having it again ..well you must be confodent.
Good on You.