Gastric bypass in the UK NHS - ThinnerTimes

lizaluck · 04-25-2006, 04:24 PM

Hello all

I have put a couple of messages on this board and was hoping that someone would be able to shed some light on the NHS waiting list for this operation

I am desperate to get this op and am looking at every option available to me but if i can save some money and get this done on the NHS it will be a blessing - however i am worried about the waiting list for this operation - also i am having my first ever appointment with a new doctor next week and i feel terrible about asking about them spending this much money on a new patient.

So anyway i hope someone may be able to help with this question -

Many thanx
Liza

NewMel06 · 04-25-2006, 04:47 PM

Don't mean to sound naive, but what does NHS stand for?

Duckie · 04-25-2006, 04:48 PM

I have no idea either Mel. lol

Vibe1973 · 04-25-2006, 09:26 PM

hmmm..I wonder if it's some kind of a health system over there..

lizaluck · 04-26-2006, 02:55 AM

Hi there

Sorry guys, very rude of me - the NHS here is the National Health Service - instead of having to pay for private medical care we have a system here that people who work pay a contribution (taxes) and some of the money goes to the NHS in order to provide medical services for free for everyone - we can chose to go private if we can afford to pay. for the gastric bypass that operation will cost anything from £8,500 (approx ($6,000) to £12,500 (approx $9,000)

However the waiting lists for operations of any kind are very long (sometimes Years) unless you are willing to pay for it.

Hope this helps
Liza

NewMel06 · 04-26-2006, 05:39 AM

I would not feel bad one bit about taking something you paid into. Consider it like retirement, if I understood your explanation? YOu work, you paid into the insurance and now you want to reap some of the benefits. No different than any of us. And don't feel too bad about the amount, if you were here, just the surgery itself ( excluding the pre-op and post - op tests and care) costs about 35,000 $$$$.

However, if you can afford to pay for it and get it done quicker, that is the route I would take. I don't wait well

Good luck to you!
Welcome to the forum too!

coptergirl · 04-26-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewMel06

I would not feel bad one bit about taking something you paid into. Consider it like retirement, if I understood your explanation? YOu work, you paid into the insurance and now you want to reap some of the benefits. No different than any of us. And don't feel too bad about the amount, if you were here, just the surgery itself ( excluding the pre-op and post - op tests and care) costs about 35,000 $$$$.

However, if you can afford to pay for it and get it done quicker, that is the route I would take. I don't wait well

Good luck to you!
Welcome to the forum too!

The hospital billed my insurance company $87,000.00!!!! All I paid (thanks to insurance) was $250.00 for the hospital admittance. If you have paid into the insurance, take it!!! As for the wait time, I am sorry, but I am not familiar with the systems in the UK - Jules might be able to help you though

Barbrah · 04-26-2006, 11:40 AM

Did you have open gbp? Your bill sounds huge. Which your part of pay was kinda awesome.

Domus · 04-26-2006, 12:17 PM

Hi Liza

I think you will find NHS/Trust waiting time varies from region to region...bit of a postcode lottery!...each Trust allocates their budget according to their predetermined priorities.
First you have to take into account that this is not a common surgery and therefore there are a limited number of surgeons nationwide with the experience and skill to carry it out. This automatically increases the NHS list. Someone that i know of who had a lapband on the NHS had to wait 2 years...i paid for my bypass and was in within 3 months of my first surgeon appointment.
The only way you will really find out is to discuss it with your g.p and have him/her do the referral...once that is done and you see the surgeon he/she will let you know what the waiting list is like.
Hope this is of some help.

lizaluck · 04-26-2006, 02:11 PM

hello all

thanx for your support on this - now it is just a matter of time and hopefully i will know more next tuesday evening - i will have this op this year if it means having to pay myself so anyway - you have all been very helpful

Cheers
Liza