Hernia operation

[punch*drunk]

Who's had one?

What can I expect? How long in hospital, how much pain, how long recovery?

Anyone know what it would cost to have done privately without health insurance?

[punch*drunk]

Thanks everyone,

I'm not sure why the doctors they called to the home on the 2 occasions couldnt push it back themselves and felt hospital was needed, but the hospital seems to think there is very little chance of strangulation hence the non urgency. I'm also pretty sure the nurses at the home should be able to push it back, i dont know, maybe dad's been difficult with them? He's not generally aggressive with the staff, but if he's in pain he could probably get grumpy.

The referral from 3 weeks ago stated that it was urgent and we needed a consultation with 2 weeks, but when i rang yesterday they just said we have to keep waiting until the hospital contact us.

If he had all his faculties it wouldnt be a problem and we could just wait, i just hate the thought of him being in pain and not understanding it. His doctor put him on antidepressants a month ago because he'd been so flat, but its probably been the hernia bothering him the whole time and we didnt know about it.

[catsnknots]

Regarding the stay in a private hospital.... call up a private one and ask how much they charge per day stay. I have a feeling it might be $700 or $800 per day but don't quote me on that. I can let you know what my price is going to be as I am going in for three days and need to make a few calls. 

A surgeon up here is going to charge me $1350 for my  2.5 hr op. Anesthetist cost on top of that... they are god like as they control if you live or die on the table and hear they cost a fortune. I will also be making calls about that today as well so can give you a guide. 

so you have 

Hospital

Surgeon

Anesthetist

Sometimes you will also have to pay for drugs after the operation such as antibiotics and pain meds for when you go home. If you have a health care card it is $6 per script. 

The good thing is that this can all be claimed at tax time under medical expense. 

[punch*drunk]

Thanks catmad, I've done a bit of googling and it looks like it may be around the $5000 - $6000 mark. Dad doesnt have a lot of money, but there's enough to cover that and I think it will be money well spent. He's a pensioner so doesnt pay any tax, I thought they'd stopped the tax rebate for medical expenses?

I've emailed his doctor for a referral to a private surgeon and we'll go from there.

[catsnknots]

oh.. I don't know if they stopped that tax rebate.. last time I did it I was six years ago with sons operation. 

but that $5K to $6K mark sounds about right. 

[punch*drunk]

I claimed for the first time last financial year for my sons braces, I'm pretty sure it has been stopped, but if you had claimed it last year, you can claim it again this finacial year. Something weird like that anyway.

[catsnknots]

Net medical expenses tax offset phase out

On 14 May 2013, the government announced in the 2013–14 Budget that it will phase out the net medical expenses tax offset.

From 1 July 2013, those taxpayers who received the offset in their 2012–13 income tax assessment will continue to be eligible for the offset for the 2013–14 income year if they have eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses above the relevant claim threshold. Similarly, those who receive the tax offset in their 2013–14 income tax assessment will continue to be eligible for the offset in 2014–15.

The changes mentioned above will not apply to all taxpayers – the offset will continue to be available for taxpayers with out-of-pocket medical expenses relating to disability aids, attendant care or aged care expenses until 1 July 2019.

You might be able to cliam this year if you pay for your father. 

[grumpy*cat*rocks]

My husband had surgery for a prolapsed inguinal hernia around October last year. He had the hernia for some time and usually he was able to 'push' it back in however this particular day it wouldn't go in so off we trotted to the nearest hospital.

Doctors there managed to get it back in however within a minute it had popped out again, and kept doing so.

Decision was made to admit him and put him on the emergency list for theatre. Took 2 days but in the end he had his surgery and was discharged the following day.

[ashjoma]

My dad recently had surgery, we found out that a private hospital ICU bed was $3500 per 24 hours and a ward bed $1000

Before any other fees or charges

He ended up in a public hospital, he was urgent, within 30 days, and went in after about 2 weeks

Dad has mild dementia and he was very confused for the first 10 days, had a fall, needed stitches to his head, lost his dental plate
And hearing aid somehow.
He thought he had been in an accident and I had been killed in a car crash

The Only way he settled, and was calm was with me being there. So help the staff and be there or share care with relatives if you can.

Back to normal now, has been home 6 weeks, surgery was major and over 12 hours


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[catsnknots]

Oh wow Ash... that is an eventful experience.. glad he is home safe now. ICU staff are amazing. 

[ashjoma]

Yes, was difficult, because he became Distressed as soon as he could not see me,

First 7 days were the worst.

After thinking he had been in an accident and I had been killed, he thought I had dumped him and left

I wrote things down and pinned to to the table so he hopefully could see it.



' you have had a big operation to remove the cancer

The medicines have made you confused and forgetful

You are okay and will feel better soon

I have been in every day to see you'

You have not been left or abandoned '



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