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Patient testimonial: Lily’s endometriosis journey

Lily Hansen, a patient at Cromwell Hospital, describes her experience of receiving endometriosis treatment at the International Centre for Endometriosis.

Lily Hansen was diagnosed with endometriosis while living in the States but didn't feel confident in the initial treatment option she was offered. She then found out about Mr Amer Raza, Consultant Gynaecologist, and the International Centre for Endometriosis at Cromwell Hospital.

“While living in the States I was diagnosed with endometriosis, which is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to develop in other places such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, etc. After a consultation with one doctor, I was offered the option to have laser surgery treatment, which I felt wasn’t the right option for me.”

“After some research, I came across Mr Amer Raza and arranged a consultation where we spoke through the option of laparoscopy surgery. This procedure had a minimal downtime which really appealed to me, and, having read the positive feedback from previous patients, I felt confident that this was the better option for me.”

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What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK and can affect women of any age.

It is a chronic condition and occurs where tissue, similar to the lining of the womb, starts to develop in other places, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, bladder and sometimes in the lungs. This tissue goes on to develop adhesions and scarring which then leads to symptoms.

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International Centre for Endometriosis

The International Centre for Endometriosis at Cromwell Hospital provides swift diagnosis and advanced treatment for patients experiencing endometriosis. The Centre brings the best experts in endometriosis together to provide a thorough, robust approach to this condition, which can have a serious impact on quality of life, fertility, bowel, and bladder.  

The Centre is led by Mr Amer Raza, who is a consultant gynaecologist with vast experience in treating complex endometriosis.   

Mr Raza said: "We felt there was a great need for a specialised centre at Cromwell Hospital, bringing together under one roof all the endometriosis expertise, such as colorectal surgery, fertility, physiotherapy, psychological support, and chronic pelvic pain support. We provide a one-stop service where a patient can come in, be seen, have their ultrasound scan on the same day, and walk away with a provisional diagnosis either confirming endometriosis or excluding it."

In acknowledgement of the exceptional standards of care the Centre provides, we have been recognised as a BSGE-accredited Endometriosis Centre for 2023 and 2024.  

Patients can expect personalised care, with support from our clinical nurse specialist who provides comprehensive and compassionate care to every patient along their journey at Cromwell Hospital.  

Those with complex endometriosis also benefit from the support of our endometriosis multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting, which brings together clinicians from different specialties to recommend the best possible approach to manage a patient’s endometriosis, ensuring that a tailored treatment plan is created.  

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Treating Lily's endometriosis

Lily said: “My experience with Mr Raza was nothing but positive. Being originally from the States meant that my family and friends weren’t close by during my surgery procedure; however, Mr Raza was very welcoming and always a phone call away. He was very professional and warm-hearted when addressing any issues I faced, which made a world of difference to my surgery experience.” 

At Cromwell Hospital, we offer robotic surgery for endometriosis, which provides patients with huge benefits including less pain, faster recovery time, less chance of scarring and tissue loss, and less blood loss.    

Our consultants use the da Vinci Xi for robotic, keyhole surgery, which provides greater precision, control, and flexibility when using surgical instruments. Mr Raza is highly skilled with robotic surgery having completed over 200 gynaecological surgeries with the da Vinci Xi at Cromwell Hospital.    

Mr Raza commented: “The accuracy and precision of the da Vinci Xi system works well for keyhole procedures such as hysterectomies and complex endometriosis. Using the da Vinci Xi means our patients can leave hospital and recover more quickly.”  

Frequently asked questions about endometriosis >

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Lily's recovery

Following her treatment at Cromwell Hospital, Lily shared: “I would strongly recommend Cromwell Hospital. I had a great experience, and the staff were very professional. The hospital is in a beautiful area, and the hospital food was also really good.” 

“The care I received was of a high standard and all the staff, from Mr Raza to the anaesthesiologist and nurses, were all very supportive and friendly. They took the time to explain each step and keep things light-hearted. I felt seen and cared for, which is sometimes lost in the medical field.” 

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