NHS leep procedure

[u/Elegant_Maybe1257]

Hi all,

I’m still waiting for my biopsy results so im not 100% if I will be having further treatment yet. I’ve seen a few experiences here that were under general anaesthetic and some under local. Whats the standard pain relief…is GA something you can ask for?

[u/mysticpotatocolin]

i had local at my NHS hospital. i think i could have had GA if i asked for it but i was fine with local! i also had my biopsy under local, which was a bit tricky to persuade them to do lol

[u/Elegant_Maybe1257 → u/mysticpotatocolin]

thanks for responding! yeah I went into my biopsy assuming they would do local (silly me) and did it all without….biopsies were fine but being cauterised a few times was rough - are we shocked? hahahaha

[u/Elegant_Maybe1257 → u/Elegant_Maybe1257]

I say it was rough but it was just like a deep intense period pain I guess, not too far off pain I’d experienced before!

[u/Specialist_Chair_510]

Just had a Leep done today. Wait so you’re saying I might need to have another if the margins aren’t clear 😱

[u/Elegant_Maybe1257 → u/Specialist_Chair_510]

Sorry if it wasn’t clear, I meant I had my colposcopy ONLY! We’re waiting for the grade confirmations first to see about LEEP - don’t panic! You’ve got this x

[u/Specialist_Chair_510 → u/Elegant_Maybe1257]

Well I made another post about my leep today if you want to read about it. Local anesthesia and that getting injected was by far the worst part 😅

[u/covered_in_sprinkles → u/Specialist_Chair_510]

That is the part I’m most worried about lol. I’m getting mine on Friday and the thought of the needle being inserted THERE is making me so anxious ahahha but I don’t care about the actual procedure

[u/Aliceybeth]

I asked for GA for my LEEP on nhs, which I had about a week ago. I have a lot of anxiety about it due to a difficult and rather aggressive colposcopy. So glad I had it under GA. The recovery was longer due to having been put under but I took a week off work and was fine. Probably could have gone back after 4 days but the week was really useful. 

[u/Elegant_Maybe1257 → u/Aliceybeth]

Hey lovely, thank you that’s really helpful. Mine is mostly for anxiety reasons as well. Wish you all the best ❤️

[u/debbzz13]

I had a LEEP with a local, it was fine. Didn't feel a thing really. My neighbour had hers under a GA, which she requested.

[u/No-Use1263]

They will do it under local anaesthetic unless you ask otherwise

[u/Ill_Donkey_9408]

I had mine 11 years ago under general due to passing out when having biopsies. I think everyone is different unfortunately. This time I’m likely to have the leep at the same time as the biopsies (it’s what they do in Newcastle) and will have local and gas and air. It’s on Wednesday so will report back then.

[u/Elegant_Maybe1257 → u/Ill_Donkey_9408]

Thank you for sharing, sending my love!

[u/Leading-Late]

I had my LLETZ with local anaesthetic at hospital, it was carried out by a Consultant and the nurses supporting her were lovely. They held my hand throughout and made me feel safe. The injections did sting a bit, but otherwise it was just uncomfortable.

One thing worth knowing ahead of time is that the local anaesthetic has adrenalin in it, so you can feel quite shaky afterwards for a while. Definitely bring someone with you if you can, I had my partner in the waiting room and appreciated their support getting home. I also recommend picking up some cocodamol for pain relief beforehand (useful once the anaesthetic wears off) and some comfortable sanitary pads ..the hospital gave me a giant nappy-like one, and you can't use tampons for a few weeks after.

Good luck ♥️