Average wait for tonsillectomy in adults

Da.kid

Hi guys,
Just got my gp to refer me to get see a specialist in the hope of getting a tonsillectomy. Tonsilitis is a common occurrence for me and just want to get rid of them. Any idea how long I'll be waiting to see an ENT in the public service??

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Corruptedmorals

Could you go private? Even just to get the initial consultation out of the way. If you are not urgent you will be waiting 2+ years on the public list, it's right up there as one of the worst nationally unfortunately.

jo2509

I had my tonsils out in November 2016. I'd echo the poster above, if you can go private I would definitely recommend it. I saw the surgeon on 11th November and had surgery on 28th November.
My GP said I'd have a 2 year wait to have it done in the public system, and this was following three A&E admissions for IV antibiotics and tonsil abscesses, so relatively urgent.

I'll also say it has totally transformed my life, I never really realised how under the weather I always was... in addition to the constant bouts of tonsillitis I never really felt 100% 'well' if that makes sense.

Best of luck.

Da.kid

What's the cost privately? For the procedure, I assume the initial consultation would be around 200euro.

Mine is quite urgent although my gp didn't give me much info, just said he'd refer me and that was it! I have another bout of tonsillitis again right now (6th case this year) and the effect it is having on work, sport and social life is atrocious ! I just want them out and a 2 year wait is out of the question do I think I'll have to plague the hostipal I'm referred to in order to speed up the process if possible

jo2509

I saw a surgeon in The Hermitage Clinic, the inital out-patient appointment to see him was EUR170.
As it happens i recovered really well and didnt need to see him for any follow up after the surgery.
I dont have the inovice from my health insurer to hand, but from what i recall, the procedure itself, including one night stay in hospital was around EUR2500 in total.

I totally sympathise. I was off work for 10 weeks last year (eight weeks prior to surgery and two weeks after) i was so ill. I was like you, getting infections every couple of months. Then i got an infection that just didnt clear, developed an abscess, multiple trips to A&E for IV antibiotics. I practically skipped down to the operating theatre i was so keen to get them out!!

I'm not sure if i can give you the surgeon's name on here but if you want any further information let me know and i can PM you.

youcancallmeal

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Depends where. Could be 2-3 years in Tallaght hospital.

Usually if you ring the places they can give you rough idea.

Yes coming up on about 2.5 years I'm waiting for an ENT procedure in Tallaght since initial referral by GP. Met the specialist about 18 months ago to confirm I would need op and that's all since then. Keep meaning to ring to see how much longer I might have to wait. I could pay and go private but the procedure I need isn't urgent so will keep waiting

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jo2509

Was totally fine.

I'd been warned that it was not a pleasant procedure, and had read all the horror stories online, obviously! In the end my experience was the complete opposite.

Was eating and drinking normally about two hours after surgery. Pain was minimal, by that i mean about 2 out of 10. The sent me home with prescription painkillers but didnt end up touching them, just took paracetamol and even then i could have managed without it.

I cant believe the difference it has made, literally life changing (which sounds crazy given tonsils are such a mundane thing!).

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jo2509

I was off work for two weeks after the surgery, he said some people may need longer but i was feeling fine by then.

I was getting infections about 4 or 5 times a year, however at that point my GP was still not prepared to refer me to have them out as she said it was more than likely that the surgeon would not do it, based on that alone.

As i said upthread, i ended up getting a really bad infection that just didnt clear, trips to A&E for IV antiobiotics etc so at that point she referred me and the surgeon agreed to take them out straight away.

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jo2509

Done

SophieB101

Does anyone know the costs of going public? I don't have a medical card and cannot afford the 3000+ to go privately.