Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Linsey44 on September 17, 2015, 08:47:51 PM
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Hi ladies
I was to be admitted today at 2pm for my risk reducing double mastectomy and reconstruction which has come about after a long journey and wait.
At 9am this morning hospital phoned to cancel it. Reason given was that there was a problem with the manufacturer of the implant/ tissue expander. They said they dont know when it can be resolved and maybe in Oct or maybe not. No one from the appoints secretary / specialist nurses / consultants secretary can give me any answers.
I had been coping really well up to this point and unfortunately spent most of today in tears. These tears have now turned to anger and feel someone should be accountable for this.
It raises lots of questions:
Was it ordered? How could they not know this prior to day of admission? If they were aware then why wasnt i informed etc?
I have started to compose a formal complaint letter querying the processes required for ordering these surgical items etc.
Does anyone know what rights I have in terms of asking for this surgery to be rescheduled. This op was to in a scottish nhs hospital? I just dont feel they can cancel me without offering me another date.
Any help / input / pointers to include in the letter would be appreciated.
Thanks
Linsey
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Sorry I can't help but just wanted to send you a :hug:
I'm not surprised you are angry and upset as you will have built yourself up to this happening today and it was all for nothing.
Your treatement has been shocking and i really hope you can get it all sorted out and reschuled as soon as possible.
Honeybun
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Nothing worse than getting yourself into the right frame of mind for something & then it's cancelled at the last minute. I hope they have answers. Just phoning like that isn't satisfactory at all. :hug:
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Really sorry L44, what an awful way to be treated. A lot of emotional energy is needed to prepare for something like this and then to receive such news must feel like a door being slammed in your face.
You definitely need answers, not to mention the security of another date
Sending strength and hugs
PN x x
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Thank you for your support, thought I might have calmed down today but I havent. Away to phone nhsinform to try and establish what my rights are as a patient.
If my op had been delayed for a more critical clininical need then I would not have any issue with that. Away to vent.
Linsey
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Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Honeyb
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If my op had been delayed for a more critical clininical need then I would not have any issue with that. Away to vent.
even so, you should have had it explained better with more reassurance. Good luck linsey, let us know how you get on
PN x x
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Linsey - Not surprised you are fuming, how could they not have known about the implant problems till the day of the op? :o
Sending you lots of hugs, you must feel like you've been through the wringer. Mind you, would you prefer a sharp stick to prod them with? :poke2:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Most hospitals nowadays have a complaints/medical negligence department. Have a look on the hospital website or ring switchboard and ask.
Libby
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sorry cant help. But sending you a hug :bighug: and be sure to complain, that is a dreadful way to treat a patient for something so very important to their wellbeing. You have every right to be upset.
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Thank you everyone for the hugs and wishes.
Well, thats a formal complaint letter done and away given verbally and also emailed to them.
Ive asked lots of questions on the procedures for ordering surgical items, whose responsibility is it, was it done by usual ordering dates, is this issue affecting other hospitals either nhs or private, is there another supplier /type that could be used? Were usual procedures followed and if not why not etc
What doesnt help is they can take up to 20/30 working days (4-6 weeks) to respond and in the meantime no future surgery date to focus on.
However I can only try and forget this as best I can for the time being. Hopefully this will not happen to me again.
Thanks
Linsey
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well done on your complaint, might seek you out next time I am making one ;)
do let us know when you get your next date, and hope they manage to send you one soon. Usual post code lottery I suspect then, my MIL had her's done pretty sharpish I think that was Blackpool.
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This is scotland and i suspect its a bit different. Also as mine was risk reducing it means usual wait time rules dont apply so it that respect we have no recourse or rights to ask for it to be rescheduled within a specific timeframe.
I might decide to address that as a separate issue via MP and scottish parliament if necessary but will wait until i am in the right mindset for that.
will try and minimise my stress levels.
Linsey
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I can understand your anger because you have been working towards this day practically and emotionally, however: it is better to postpone an op when ever there are issues surrounding implants etc.. It may be a 'batch' problem, a shortage or something wrong with the implants. The Manufacturer may even have gone out of business!
It has been known that some breast implants have 'failed' which has involved further surgical intervention with added GA risk.
Your GP should be able to tell you more. The Consultant's Secretary should be able to tell you when the operation is likely to be re-scheduled, it would be nice if the Consultant rang with up-to-date details. It is 'normal' for operations to be cancelled due to no beds., other emergencies, also due to patients not turning up >:(.
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Your GP should be able to tell you more. The Consultant's Secretary should be able to tell you when the operation is likely to be re-scheduled, it would be nice if the Consultant rang with up-to-date details. It is 'normal' for operations to be cancelled due to no beds., other emergencies, also due to patients not turning up >:(.
CLKD - I think Linsey has said she would have understood if the op had been cancelled due to emergencies, lack of beds etc. It was the fact that they waited till 9am on the day of the op to deign to inform her that they were unhappy with the implants. They must have known before that, if not why not?
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I would consider finding that something is amiss with the implant an emergency. Maybe some product information had come to light? Better to find out prior to pre-med/GA.
I would be asking for a further appt. with the Surgeon to discuss ;)
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Hi CLKD
I understand your comments re the implants perhaps not being suitable at the moment but they hinted it was supply related, which begs the question did they order them?
Also as I has submitted an official complaint to the NHS board the consultants secretary has called to say the he wont respond to any questions until he has read the points I have raised.
So it would probably be futile to ask for an appointment at the moment.
Ive emailed and am waiting on a reply from patients rights at Scot govt as no one at the NHS will tell me of my right to be treated and offered an alternative date within a reasonable time frame.
I would prefer to go abroad at the moment but need clarity on whether I am expected to be a available at short notice or not, as a family we cant be expected to put our lives on hold.
Also I dont accept that there is only one manufacturer of these or there would be a global shortgage of them and they would have known that.
I dont want to be any more patient as my journey to get to this point started 18 months ago and we have already had to work family life around heaps of appointments.
Thanks for your input and hope you are having a good day today.
Linsey x
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However, as an ex-Orthopaedic Secretary I know that NHS Staff are busy and currently morale is very low. People make mistakes.
18 months may seem a long while because your symptoms, appt.'s etc. are constantly on your mind, but in the bigger picture, it isn't long at all. I wonder what 'action' and why you feel you need to take any? but advice to you: don't take 'on' the NHS until you have at least spoken with the Consultant, because it will drain you of energy!
Surely it would have been quicker to have made an appt. with the Consultant to find out the whys and wherefores :-\ …. maybe he didn't know until shortly before he went into Theatre? You may find that you have alienated the Surgeon by making an initial complaint without talking with him :-\. He may feel that he doesn't want you as a patient in future. Also, why shouldn't there be 1 Company who manufacturers implants :-\ …….. why would that cause a global shortage? Manufacturing 'lines' can go wrong, there can be occasional delays in transportation: what ever the reason you are on the 'better' side of 'wrong' than having reached theatre etc.!
Going abroad brings with it a huge range of possible problems. Firstly finding a reputable Surgeon/Team. For which there will be NO redress with the Surgeon/Hosptial and the NHS will have to pick up the pieces :-\ ………
9 a.m. - what time did the Surgeon begin operating? Mine used to begin at 7.30 a.m. Maybe he opened the 'pack' containing the implant/s and discovered a problem. A problem which made him decide to cancel/postpone all types of similar surgeries. There then may have been phone calls made to find out if other Hospitals have 'spares', if other Consultants had discovered similar 'problems' …… [from the other side of the bed, I have spent hours chasing round 'stuff' ::). ]
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No i mean go abroad for a holiday
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Oh silly me ………. ::) - that explains that sentence to me clearer ;)
Had you a holiday booked? I now see why you would like to have a 'date' for surgery but as stated above/below, maybe there are technical problems which have to sorted before a date can be suggested. You could of course tell the Hospital when you are likely to be away and a holiday, anxiety allowing, at this time of year is a bonus ;)
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Ive got 2 holidays booked already. Flights booked for the 30th Dec for 10nts and and again on 23rd March for 3weeks.
Prob partly feeling sorry for myself as we would normally go away as well at end sep for 3 weeks and as my date was 17/9 we didnt book leave from work, now restricted with daughters school and there is no flight availabilty to where we need to go.
im currently off sick but cant just stay off until i get a new date as they cant give me a timescale. Work is undergoing a lot of change which i would normally enjoy but i just dont feel mentally equipped to deal with at the moment. There is no way they would give me leave instead
Linsey x
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In the Company for which I worked one had to use up all annual leave before one could get un-paid leave. However, 1 is entitled to be 'off work' for illness you know ;). You've had enough stress with the lead-up to and cancellation of, for whatever reason, your expected operation - so a few weeks off work to rest might be wise! What does your GP suggest or do you have to self sign sick leave?
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Gp has signed me off for another week but i will go back to him and ask for longer if i still feel like this next week.
Will just try and relax and see how it goes.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend CLKD. Grand Prix on tomorrow somthat should be good.
Linsey x
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But only hi-lights >:( ::)
Rest as much as you can during your week 'off'. Feet up, cuppa to hand - in the garden if it's sunny enough.
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Did you get any replies yet?
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Hi CLKD, thanks for asking. I've spoken to consultants secretary, hopefully she can find out more as she is to call me back tomorrow. She doesnt handle his surgery lists and couldnt tell me whether it was a supply issue, recall or technical or health issue with the implant or even if it had been ordered.
Just been to my first yoga class as I feel stressed. Lots happening here and not just with my op. Im not usually a stressed type of person so am not taking it well. Hahaa.
Hows your day been so far?
Linseyx
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Did you read The Telegraph article yesterday relating to implants?
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No CLKD I didnt, been busy last few days
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Told all about the implant problem ;) - now wonder whether I kept the papers :-\
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CLKD - Is it one of these?
Not sure, whilst they are both Daily Telegraph, they do seem to be Australian ::)
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/woman-rushed-to-hospital-after-breast-augmentation-complications/story-fni0cx4q-1227509763965
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/south-west/dangers-of-cosmetic-surgery-shouldnt-be-ignored/story-fngr8hxh-1227543259974
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Nope - this was on Friday ……… wrong, Thursday
"Implants withdrawn in Britain over contamination fear" - Nicola Harley
…….. " suspension of the CE certificate for all medical devices made by the Brazilian manufacturer Silimed".
"Plastic surgeons have been informed not to implant the devices until further assessments have taken place and the CE mark reinstated".
If you look on the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) you may find an up-date.
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Nope - this was on Friday ……… wrong, Thursday
"Implants withdrawn in Britain over contamination fear" - Nicola Harley
…….. " suspension of the CE certificate for all medical devices made by the Brazilian manufacturer Silimed".
"Plastic surgeons have been informed not to implant the devices until further assessments have taken place and the CE mark reinstated".
If you look on the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) you may find an up-date.
This one?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/11886891/Silimed-silicone-implants-suspended-over-contamination-fears.html
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Oh you clever girl :medal: - :thankyou:
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Hi I looked on the BAAPS website they comfirmed they are not using any silimed products, and I have since found out its not just breast implants ithe following list came from a related article on the bbc website.
* silicone implants for plastic surgery: implants: breast implants, pectoral implants, gluteal implants, calf implants, implants for hand surgery, tissue expanders, facial implants, nostril retainers, suspension sheets for breast surgery
* bariatric surgery: gastric bands and balloons
* implants for urology: testicular implants, penile implants, vesical conformers, periurethal constrictors, tubes for hypospadias, vaginal stents
* silicone implants for general surgery: blocks and sheets
* silicone invasive devices: sizers for silicone implants
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Makes sense to me to postpone operations if there are any queries over any of the equipment used.
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Hi CLKD
Good weekend?
I would agree but why not just say that? What I find odd is I actually asked if there was something wrong with the implants and this was the day after articles were published and after the BAAPS released a statement.
Ive been racking my brains ( for what they are worth) and am pretty sure they were to use another brand (think it begins with letter b) but I could be wrong.
It may however be possible that the brand beginning with b are perhaps manufactured by silimed?
On a happy note, I have had enough faffing around and decided to book some flights so I am going away for a couple of weeks to get some sunshine and recharge the batteries. Just myself and my 11yr old daughter, talk about hormones galore. Should be an eventful couple of weeks.
Will keep you posted.
Linsey x
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Ours is not to reason why ;)
Reasonably good few days thanks, despite having to attend a funeral …….
How are your daughter's hormones? …….. will this be over half-term? where ………
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Hi
Glad you coped well at the weekend I always read your posts on how anxiety affects your daily life.
Off to cyprus so will be lovely and hot.
Daughter had her first and only period a month after her 11th birthday, guessing another is just around the corner as she has been weepy for a couple of weeks and just says I dont know why I am crying. Bless.
Fun and games, scots kids holidays start this fri and they get 2 weeks off, great time to get away, actually looking forward to it. My husband works in the oil and is going away offshore and cant come with us, so no point in us staying at home in the miserable weather.
Linsey x
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Enjoy your holiday Linsey. Oh I remember those early days of periods. Mine were always months apart back then. One year at about 16 my mum & I went on holiday to Brodick. Beautiful fortnight, spoiled by me rolling around in agony with period pains. Mum had to get me panadol, which barely touched the pain. Hope your daughter is not afflicted likewise on holiday.
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Thanks CG.
I was 14 /15 when mine started, they seem to get them from a younger age now. It struck home just how young she was when the day they started she was sitting playing with her lego. I certainly wasnt at the playing with lego stage all those years ago.
Kinda hoping there will be long gaps between them.
Linsey x
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16 08 1965 so I was how old? [1953]. We were away at Grannys and had no preparation even though I had felt desperately sick for 24 hours. Take sanitary towels in case as well as Feminanx (I think is the pain relief that worked for me). (11 then)
My friend went to Cyprus earlier this year, loved it - even went paragliding :o.
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All stocked up and good to go. Only prob I promised hubby it would be hand luggage only. Now I have started laying bits anf bits out. MMMmmmmm
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Think of your back ;-)
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Depends on airline, but what weight are you allowed?. Think EJ are more lenient on weight, so long as you can lift it & put in luggage bins.