"general anaesthesia for umbilical hernia"

Hi,

I recently developed an uncomplicated hernia of the belly button. I was told that an operation was necessary at my local hospital*. I met with a surgeon who seemed like a very nice gentleman, who informed me that I would need surgery, under general anesthesia (no other options available).

I was totally flabbergasted.... I think this is a simple procedure that can (and is done I've checked out on the web) be carried out using conscious sedation. My point being that general anesthesia carries very significant risks to the patient, particularly if they have serious risk factors such as I have. Conscious sedation carries much less of a risk .... and it's potentially less expensive as you do not necessarily have to have an overnight stay on ward .... I definitely would have had to.

I believe that this is that this is a case of "production line" surgery ... everyone gets the same processing (irrespective of condition) to seemingly cut costs in the short term. I've worked and/or supported the NHS since a very young age and this incident makes me totally sick.

Where have all my tax pounds gone .. I was in the higher band most my working life. And to add to my nausea I was out of the country ten years paying for my own health needs ... but still having to pay UK tax

Aside from this, I think the practice is unprofessional and I am going to make sure this incident.... standard operating procedure, gets to all the appropriate places.

Because of this I feel I will either have to either go private (I'm on a pension so this will be very difficult) or see if I could get it done in northern france or belgium on a reciprocal basis. No matter which way I go I will be in extra pain for some time because of this.

Comments?