My girlfriend is going to need surgery

[Bryophyte]

Would it be possible for her to have a checkup with her doctor in the last few days prior to the trip to make sure nothing has gotten worse at that point?

 

[geecee]

Just in case, you might also want to prep a description of her condition in the languages of the countries you're planning to travel in, if possible. Most places probably speak English, but it's better to be prepared.

 

[Crucial]

Originally posted by: geecee
Just in case, you might also want to prep a description of her condition in the languages of the countries you're planning to travel in, if possible. Most places probably speak English, but it's better to be prepared.

Who lets a silly thing like a missing kidney ruin their vacation.

I still think it's asinine to go overseas with impending surgery. There's no way to tell if things will take a turn for the worse.

 

[NuroMancer]

Call and ask?

 

[Scouzer]

Originally posted by: NuroMancer
Call and ask?

I did. Not covered.

This is really really sad we've been looking forward to this forever. I thought for sure we could find an expensive insurance package somewhere, but it just doesn't exist...

 

[OsoVerde]

Originally posted by: chcarnage
I think you'll be fine but I'd ask her doctor for a document which lists her diagnosis, prescriptions and the contact data of the doc or his hospital.

Tylenol aka paracetamol is a relatively cheap over-the-counter-drug in Europe (at least in Switzerland, Germany and the UK). Like in the US, it comes in 500mg doses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_paracetamol_brand_names

Tylenol doesn't work for a lot of women, and she'd probably be better off with ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory. A prescription for something stronger to keep with her in case of a flare-up would be even better.

 

[Dacalo]

My conservative sides says delay the trip and make sure she is 100% before you guys go anywhere. Last thing you need is some complication during the trip.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: Scouzer

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
national healthcare FTL.

our english friend had gall bladder issues and it took them almost a year to schedule her for surgery

It'll be about 6 weeks. A little bit not comparable.

If I needed surgery, I'd have it within 2 weeks, but of course I have insurance.

 

[Scouzer]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: Scouzer

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
national healthcare FTL.

our english friend had gall bladder issues and it took them almost a year to schedule her for surgery

It'll be about 6 weeks. A little bit not comparable.

If I needed surgery, I'd have it within 2 weeks, but of course I have insurance.

She doesn't NEED it. She's at the bottom of the list.

Her mom NEEDED the surgery, and she got it in THREE DAYS. And by need, it wasn't life/death, she just had a blockage causing a lot of pain. Public health care still works.

 

[chcarnage]

Originally posted by: OsoVerde

Originally posted by: chcarnage
I think you'll be fine but I'd ask her doctor for a document which lists her diagnosis, prescriptions and the contact data of the doc or his hospital.

Tylenol aka paracetamol is a relatively cheap over-the-counter-drug in Europe (at least in Switzerland, Germany and the UK). Like in the US, it comes in 500mg doses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_paracetamol_brand_names

Tylenol doesn't work for a lot of women, and she'd probably be better off with ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory. A prescription for something stronger to keep with her in case of a flare-up would be even better.

I've talked about paracetamol because that's what the girlfriends' doctor recommended so far. But I'm not aware of gender specific effects of paracetamol. However I'm no health professional, just somewhat interested.

 

[OsoVerde]

Originally posted by: chcarnage

Originally posted by: OsoVerde

Originally posted by: chcarnage
I think you'll be fine but I'd ask her doctor for a document which lists her diagnosis, prescriptions and the contact data of the doc or his hospital.

Tylenol aka paracetamol is a relatively cheap over-the-counter-drug in Europe (at least in Switzerland, Germany and the UK). Like in the US, it comes in 500mg doses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_paracetamol_brand_names

Tylenol doesn't work for a lot of women, and she'd probably be better off with ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory. A prescription for something stronger to keep with her in case of a flare-up would be even better.

I've talked about paracetamol because that's what the girlfriends' doctor recommended so far. But I'm not aware of gender specific effects of paracetamol. However I'm no health professional, just somewhat interested.

I'd read somewhere that a study found paracetamol to not be effective in some percentage of women, but google isn't turning up jack. I'll have to go back to the forum where I heard that and get an actual source. For me the stuff has never been any more effective than eating a sugar cube and a bunch of other women at that forum were saying the same for them, so everyone believed it and didn't ask for proof.

If it works for your girlfriend, use it.:thumbsup:

 

[B00ne]

Originally posted by: Scouzer
My girlfriend has been diagnosed with Gall Bladder Disease. This will require surgery. She was diagnosed today. Her mom has had the surgery before, it isn't a major surgery, I think she's more worried about still getting to Europe.

We are supposed to be going to Europe in 54 days. The doctor says it is extremely unlikely that she will require a hospital visit when we are there, but it's possible. If she does need a hospital visit, it'd likely be just to give some Tylenol 3's and do some tests to ensure the condition has not abruptly worsened.

He said its not an urgent surgery, so it's also extremely unlikely that she'll get the surgery done prior to our European trip. He is NOT recommending she doesn't go, but is concerned if our health insurance will cover it.

So... will it? I'm reading the pamphlet, but I'm far from a lawyer. It seems to me she won't be covered as its a prior known medical condition that may flare up during our time there.

http://www.rbcinsurance.com/travel/pdf/policy-eng.pdf

That's the brochure. It says Unlimited dollar amount covered, but that doesn't mean much. We have the DELUXE PACKAGE.

I thank you all for any help, this is a huge bummer as you can imagine

Just get a foreign country travel health insurace for the trip and you are on the safe side - dunno about the US but here those are no more than like $20 and that is money definately well spent

 

[Mark R]

Originally posted by: Atheus
I think the NHS in Britain will just treat you for free no matter who you are. They're like that. People fly here and 'suddenly discover' something is wrong with them just to get good treatment for free.

No. They do charge non UK nationals, unless they can prove EU residency - and that their country's health service has an agreement to cover the costs.

Illegal immigrants and visitors who would not be able to obtain medical treatment in their home country do not have to pay.

It's unlikely that the OP falls into one of these categories - and would therefore be expected to pay the full cost of treatment.

From what I've heard from the OP's description - the condition is not serious, but does have a low likelihood of causing illness during the trip. A mild attack is easily treated with simple pain killers like paracetamol, and avoiding things that might make it worse (smoking, fatty food).

Unfortunately, insurance companies have their weasel ways - so you should discuss it, and get in writing, exactly what they will and will not cover.