"My Laparoscopic sterilisation"

Achieving this goal of mine wasn’t easy. I spent over 10 years going to consultations with different doctors hoping to be heard and have my wish to be permanently sterilised fulfilled. It took me about a year and 4 interviews at NHS in London (not to mention 4 other visits to Sexual Health both in Oxford and London) to show my commitment, but I did.

And I’m sharing my story because the assurance I got was excellent, all the way, and it deserves to be recognised.

From the Sexual Health department’s support on choosing the right contraceptive method for me, the follow ups to see how I was getting on with my -unusual- choice (diaphragm), the supply of everything I needed to care for a responsible sexual life, to the 4 interviews I went to with different professionals to discuss my decision of not having children, getting to the final stage of this path being my laparoscopic sterilisation surgery. I got the best asisstance one could ask for. I felt defeated after my 3rd appointment, when I was asked to talk with a 4th doctor, as they were all unsure about approving my request, but I was lucky to find a comprehensive woman on the other side that last time, who listened to my motivations behind this decision, who was interested in hearing part of my story, my philosophy, and I’m very grateful.

I thought I was going to have to wait for a long time before I got an appointment, but to my surprise, I was called to schedule it only after two days my request was approved.

The day of the surgery I was very excited and the support and service I got at the Westminster and Chelsea Hospital was remarkable. I had received information regarding the surgery weeks before so I knew what to expect. The nurses pre and post surgery, the anaesthesiologist and the team at the theatre, were kind, competent and reassuring. My recovery from the anaesthesia was followed by a team of excellent nurses, to whom I’m very grateful once again.

I hope this feedback helps other patients and mainly, shows the importance of supporting the work of the NHS in the UK.

Thank you deeply and my best regards to all of the people involved in my journey.