How to Prepare for Recovery after Your Private GYN Surgery

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If you need a private GYN surgery your options are across the border in the US. Unfortunately, there are none that can be done here in Canada. Preparing for your travels and surgery should be planned in advance. Consider hiring a professional, such as a medical facilitator, as they have experience connecting people to reputable private medical facilities and taking care of all the logistical details of your journey.

Have a support system set up before you leave for surgery

Reach out to your trusted friends and family and let them know you are going for surgery and what kind of help you may need after you are back. Many people would be happy to help. Be specific with what you might need: getting groceries or simply visiting you.

Take some time off work

We advise our clients to take as much time as possible from work. Everyone is different in how they recover, some women are able to go back to work in 2 weeks and some need more time, 4 to 8 weeks. If you are able to work from home, this could be a nice option as well. If your work requires heavy physical activities, such as lifting, you may want to consider going on short-term disability for about 8 weeks post-surgery.

Do not rush your recovery by trying to do more too soon

As women, we tend to be taking care of many things but oftentimes think of ourselves last. After you had a GYN surgery, you may feel like you can still do a lot, but please do not rush things and allow yourself to rest. Your body will thank you for it, as you will be allowing it to heal. We had a couple of cases where women thought they felt “back to normal” only to experience a setback the next day because they overdid things. Take your time and rest.

If you need assistance planning your medical travel, Health Vantis can help. Contact us toll-free at 877 344 3544 or info@healthvantis.com and we would be happy to assist.

Risks of Waiting for Your GYN Surgery

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Risks of Waiting for Your GYN Surgery

Wait times have went up drastically over the years for GYN surgery.  This has left thousands of Canadians at sea on their own as they wait to get a surgery date. This can create major consequences if you experience long delays.  Let’s look at some reasons why waiting can make things worse:

  1. Mental health

    – Let’s face it, winter months in Canada can be long.  Seasonal affect disorder (SAD) is a real thing and very well known to many.  If you have an ailment that causes stress or continued pain, it can create and/or exacerbate SAD making you have low energy, poor mood and cause you to sleep too much.  Worse yet, it can turn into a full blown depression. Feeling discouraged, hopeless, continue to experience excessive bleeding or in constant pain affects your focus, ability to function and can hamper your social interactions and outings with people.  Not being able to play with your children or grandchildren, staying home from parties, or not being able to work can all create more stress on your mental health. When your mental health decreases, your whole body reacts to the stress. 

  2. Delaying Surgery for Fibroids or Tumors

    – Delaying GYN treatment can cause irreversible damage to the uterus in the case of large fibroids or masses (whether malignant or benign).  Women who have not had children yet and wish to, may affect their ability to get pregnant down the road, or worse yet, require a hysterectomy in their 20’s or 30’s if their issue is not dealt with in a timely manner.  80% of women will have a fibroid by the age 50.  Most will not have symptoms, however, for those that do, they will experience heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, or bloating.  If treatment for them is delayed, it can lead to long term complications such as anemia, infertility, and issues with kidneys, bowel, bladder and circulatory systems.  Having anemia can cause fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, headaches and possible heart problems.  In the case of kidney, bowel, bladder or circulatory problems, fibroids or masses can put pressure against the ureter, blocking drainage of urine into the bladder from the kidneys or take up space in the pelvic cavity which blocks the normal flow of these systems.  Getting pregnant can also be challenging depending on where the fibroid or mass is located.  Fibroids and masses can be large enough that they fight for space and blood supply, which can cause miscarriages or infertility.

  3. Delaying Hysterectomy (Uterine, Ovarian, Cervical, Vaginal or Vulvar Cancer)

    – According to an International cohort study, approximately 4,000 GYN cancer patients worldwide were looked at during the first wave of COVID.  Nearly 20% of the patients experienced changes in their care management due to delays in surgery.  Overall, 8% of the women ultimately did not have a surgery that was meant to be curative and life-prolonging. 11% of the patients waited more than 8 weeks, including 16% of them who had ovarian tumors.  All of the delays and cancellations had an impact on morbidity and mortality with those women who had malignant tumors.  2.7% of patients who did not have a planned operation died within 3 months of the initial decision to have the surgery.  Women who had a delay in surgery had significantly higher risk of the composite adverse outcomes of unresectable disease or disease progression, emergency surgery or health compared to those who did not have a delayed procedure – 22.4% vs 18% respectively.

Like most things, this is not an end all.  You do have options.  The quickest way to get your GYN surgery is to go the private manner.  Health Vantis works with many facilities that can offer you a private GYN surgery without waiting months on end to get a surgery date that might be even another year down the road, which could alter many important facets in a women’s life.  Contact us at info@healthvantis.comor 877-344-3544 for more details to how we can help you.

Health Vantis

www.healthvantis.ca

877-344-3544

info@healthvantis.com

Private Hysterectomy vs Waiting in Canada

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Fraser Institute recently released its new report for medical wait times in Canada in 2022. The overall increases in wait times show up in several specialties. One of them is GYN. The median wait time for a GYN from a referral by GP to treatment is 32.1 weeks, 8.1 weeks increase from 2021.  The median wait time from GP referral to see a GYN is 15.7 weeks and from seeing GYN to get treatment is 16.4 weeks.

Of course, these numbers vary depending on the province you live in. Saskatchewan has the shortest wait times, with 4 weeks from GP referral to GYN, and then 11.9 weeks from GYN to treatment, making a total median wait time of 15.9 weeks. Atlantic Canada leads the worse wait times for GYN. In NS, one can wait 110.7 weeks to see a GYN once their GP refers them, and then an additional 52 weeks to get treatment. Total wait time can be 162.7 weeks – over 3 years!

For many women, such wait times present a serious issue. Many seek private health care, such as a private hysterectomy or private laparoscopy. In the past, we helped many women get private GYN surgery in a timely manner. In general, we can arrange a private hysterectomy within 3-4 weeks from the time we receive your medical records.

Private medical facilities we work with have virtually no wait times. Health Vantis will connect you to a safe and affordable private medical facility and make all the logistical arrangements for you. Reach out to us by email info@healthvantis.com or toll free 877 344 3544 to learn more.

 

Top 3 Things to Consider when Going for a Private Hysterectomy.

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If you are put on a long waitlist for a hysterectomy, you are not alone. Many Canadian women wait unreasonable amounts of time. If you are researching and considering private hysterectomy, we have some information. We helped many people plan and go through with this surgery in a private manner.  The below 3 things often come on the top of considerations.

You will have to travel to the USA.

To our best knowledge, there are no private facilities that are able to do any GYN procedures here in Canada. It is available in a private manner in the US. Depending on where you reside, we try to connect you to the closest to your home facility, but it is not always the case.

Hysterectomy should be the last resort.

If you are seeking a hysterectomy, please remember that this should be your last option left. Some GYN issues can be effectively addressed with medications or less invasive procedures such as ablation. Medications (such as IUD) should be given sufficient time in order to see if it is working or not. This is especially important if you have not had children and are fairly young. Things may change in regard to your view on starting a family, but a hysterectomy can not be reversed.

Recovery times differ for everyone – be realistic.

We always tell our clients that this surgery is not to be taken lightly. Even if it is robotic or laparoscopic, it is still major surgery and you will need time to heal. Ensure you take some time off work. We recommend at the very least 2 weeks, and more if you are able to. Even if you are feeling great one day, go slow with increasing your daily activities. The last thing you want is a setback in your recovery.

If you would like to know more about obtaining a private GYN surgery such as a hysterectomy in the US please reach out to us by email info@healthvantis.com or toll-free 877 344 3544

Hysterectomy for Gender Affirmation or Transition Surgery

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Hysterectomy for Gender Affirmation or Transition Surgery

We get a lot of inquiries about having a hysterectomy as a way of transitioning or gender affirmation.  Unfortunately, this is not as simple as it seems, therefore, we are unable to assist in most cases.  Hysterectomy is a major, life-altering surgery, therefore, it is something you cannot take lightly, especially if you are under the age of 35.

Technically, you can consent to a hysterectomy at any age, however, it has to be medically justified.  It is very unlikely a doctor will do one unless it is absolutely necessary for your well-being and all other options have been exhausted.  One of the main reasons is due to the possible physical and emotional risks associated with it, not to mention the complications that can occur.  

Complications could include infection, hemorrhaging, bladder and/or bowel damage.  These are normally short term risks, however, there are long term risks that physicians are most concerned with.  Having a hysterectomy can increase your chances of stroke, bone loss, heart attack, urinary issues and early onset menopause for younger women.  It can impact sexual interest as well as the ability to have a biological pregnancy, which can cause depression or psychological stress down the road, as it is not a reversible procedure.

In Canada, there are no facilities that offer a private hysterectomy.  This is something you would have to go to the US for.  The US has strict guidelines in who they will perform a hysterectomy on because there are great legality risks if they do a hysterectomy without a medical reason to do so.  Wanting to have a hysterectomy for gender affirmation or transition does not fall in that category unless you have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.  It is the only option for someone to have a hysterectomy if they do not have a medical reason such as having bleeding, fibroids, cancer, etc. to do so.  It also has to be performed by a specialized surgeon who works with gender dysphoria.

Getting the diagnosis gender dysphoria can take time and you must meet specific criteria.  It is a complex process that involves multiple medical, psychiatric and psychological evaluations, medical therapies and behavioral trials with a specialized surgeon.  This is to ensure that surgery is an appropriate treatment choice for the individual.   The process can take 6 months to 2 years and beyond.

If this is something you are interested in doing on a private basis, there are facilities in the US that can assist you.  Keep in mind that it will take time and can be a long, expensive and emotional process.  If you do decide to proceed, surround yourself with those that care about you and your well-being, and possibly join a support group such as The Canadian Centre for Gender + Sexual Diversity: https://ccgsd-ccdgs.org/.  It will make all the difference having someone on your side for the process.

 

Health Vantis

www.healthvantis.ca

info@healthvantis.com

877-344-3544

Private GYN Surgery in the USA

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Health Vantis is a Canadian women-owned company. As women, we know what it means to wait in pain from GYN issues. GYN surgery such as hysterectomy or fibroids removal can have lengthy delays in the Canadian public health care system. Unfortunately, there are no private GYN surgeries offered in Canada. Instead of waiting, Health Vantis can help facilitate a private GYN surgery in the USA.

What do you need to get started? A recent ultrasound or MRI of the uterus and specialists’ notes if they are available, are required. In some cases, we can help with just Ultrasound and MRI results.

The surgeon will determine if you need laparoscopic or open surgery. A physical exam will be done in person, to confirm the diagnostic report’s findings and ensure that you get the right medical procedure. The whole process usually takes 4-6 weeks. We will handle all the logistics of traveling for medical reasons.

Some things to keep in mind. There has to be a medical reason requiring surgery for us to be able to help. Reasons such as severe bleeding, cramping, and inability to function due to pain are some of them. Before you have a GYN surgery other non-surgical methods should have been tried and failed. Remember, surgery is the last resort for any ailment.

Another thing to keep in mind is the recovery time from any kind of GYN surgery. Even minimally invasive or robotic surgery requires 3-5 days stay in a hotel to get better before flying home. We recommend taking at least 2 weeks off from work after a GYN surgery and taking it easy for the entire time. Recovery time differs from person to person.

If you are seeking a hysterectomy as part of gender transition, there is quite a bit of protocol that has to be done prior with a specialized surgeon. It can be a lengthy process. Due to this, we are unable to facilitate the surgery for you.

If you would like to explore a private timely GYN surgery please reach out by calling us toll free 877 344 3544 or emailing info@healthvantis.com

Private Hysterectomy in Canada and the US: Abdominal vs Laparoscopic

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Medical wait times in Canada can be long. GYN elective surgery such as hysterectomy may sound like something one can wait for in peace, but in reality, many women suffer in pain while waiting. Hysterectomy is recommended after all non-surgical options were tried unsuccessfully. Waiting for it can be frustrating.

Health Vantis can help you find a reputable place in the US to get a private hysterectomy. Unfortunately, this surgery is not offered in Canada in a private manner.

Abdominal (Open) Hysterectomy

An abdominal hysterectomy is removal of the uterus through an incision in the lower abdomen. It is a more invasive approach because the incision can be 6 to 12 inches, horizontal or vertical.  It is usually recommended when the uterus is large and can not be removed safely through the vagina.

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

During a laparoscopic hysterectomy, several small incisions are made, instead of one large. A laparoscope is a thin lighted tube with a camera. It allows a surgeon to see and work inside the abdomen. A laparoscope is usually inserted through a small incision in the belly button. Other surgical instruments are inserted through other small incisions. The uterus is then cut into smaller pieces and is removed either through the incisions or through the vagina. This method is considered minimally invasive as it allows faster recovery due to smaller incisions.

Both types of hysterectomy are done under anesthesia and both require someone to pick you up after the procedure and take you home or to a hotel room for recovery. If you would like more information, please call us at toll-free 877 344 3544 or email info@healthvantis.com

Private GYN for Hysterectomy in Canada

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In 2021, it was reported by the Fraiser Institute that the wait time from referral to GYN specialist to treatment was approximately 25.9 weeks.  That is an average of over 6 months.  In some provinces such as Nova Scotia, the wait time was 71.4 weeks.  In Prince Edward Island it was 119.2 weeks.  That is over 2.25 years!  Imagine being in pain, off work and/or not having the ability to have a normal day as you wait just to be treated for over 2 years.  That is just out right unacceptable.  

For many women, a hysterectomy is what they are waiting for.  Unlike orthopedic surgery, it is very difficult to find a private GYN within Canada to turn to.  This is the call we get most frequently for GYN inquires.  There are a handful of private GYN doctors that can do consultations, however, doing surgery for a hysterectomy is not something you will find on a private basis within Canada. There are, however, some minor procedures that can be done on such as: endometrial uterine balloon ablation, laparoscopic fibroid surgery, prolapsed uterus repair and uterine cavity scope.

The next best option is to go to the US for this surgery.  Due to COVID, it has been a little challenging getting across the border.  The rules have changed frequently in the past 2 years and as of now, you and your travel companion must be fully vaccinated to go to the US.  There used to be allowances for medical treatment, however, that is no longer being an acceptable reason unless it is something emergent.  A hysterectomy would not fall under that category.  It can, however, be done and for most women, the hassle of following some additional rules is worth it to them.

The pricing can range from $9,500-$15,500 USD.  It really depends on what type of hysterectomy you need, i.e. laparoscopic, abdominal or vaginal.  This is only determined once the GYN surgeon has reviewed your medical records and most recent ultra sound(s).  The stay in the US is normally around 7 days.

If you are spinning your wheels trying to find a private GYN in Canada to do your hysterectomy, stop searching as you will not find one.  Give us a call and we can connect you to an experienced surgeon in the US and help you navigate the process.  We can be reached at 877-344-3544 or info@healthvantis.com.

Health Vantis

www.healthvantis.ca

877-355-3544

info@healthvantis.com

Private Hysterectomy – Do Canadian Women Have an Option?

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A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a woman’s uterus. Sometimes ovaries are left in place, and sometimes they are taken out. There are many reasons a woman would consider a hysterectomy. Endometriosis, uterine fibroids, painful and prolonged periods that are not responding to non-invasive therapies are some of those reasons.

Hysterectomy is considered an elective surgery, which means it can be scheduled. In Canada, wait times for elective surgeries are increasing, and hysterectomy is not an exception. Depending on the province you reside, wait times exceed a year.

Private medical facilities in Canada are few. To our best knowledge, none of them are able to do GYN surgery. There are options in the US. Depending on the facility and the type of hysterectomy prices vary.

The recovery from a hysterectomy can take time. Everyone is different and some women recover faster. We advise that if going for a hysterectomy in the US allow at least 3-5 days to recover at the hotel after surgery before flying home. Plan to take time off work, about3-4 weeks, and rest your body so it can heal. The complete recovery can take up to 6 months.

If you are interested in finding out more information about private hysterectomy, please reach out to us toll-free at 877 344 3544 or email info@healthvantis.com

Private Treatment for Uterine Fibroids

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Uterine fibroids are muscular benign tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus. They can be very small or large. The cause of fibroids is unknown.

In many cases, fibroids have no symptoms and are only discovered during a pelvic exam or a prenatal ultrasound. In other cases, the symptoms can include the following:

  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Prolonged menstrual periods
  • Pelvic pressure or pain
  • Frequent urination
  • Difficulty emptying the bladder
  • Constipation
  • Bloating
  • Increased abdominal distention
  • Backache or leg pains

If you are experiencing the above symptoms an ultrasound can confirm whether or not you have fibroids. Sometimes an MRI is also ordered to get more details on the size and location of fibroids as well as the type of fibroids.

Many treatment options exist. Medication can be recommended to either shrink the fibroids or prevent the heavy bleeding caused by fibroids. Progestin releasing IUD (intrauterine device) can also relieve heavy bleeding due to fibroids. It, however, does not shrink or makes the fibroids disappear.

Non-invasive treatment such as MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery can be performed. It is a procedure that requires no cutting but instead uses MRI to locate the fibroid and then uses the ultrasound to destroy fibroid tissue.

Minimally invasive procedures can be performed to destroy fibroids. Each individual situation should be considered as some of those are not recommended to women who want to have children. Talk to you GYN about the below procedures to find out if they are right for you

  • Uterine artery embolization
  • Radiofrequency ablation
  • Laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy
  • Hysteroscopy
  • Endometrial ablation

More invasive options are abdominal myomectomy and hysterectomy. In abdominal myomectomy, fibroids are removed through an open abdominal procedure. Hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus. Hysterectomy remains the only proven permanent solution for uterine fibroids.

If you would like to find out if any of the above procedures are available in a private manner, without any delays due to medical wait list give us a call at toll-free 877 344 3544.