Private Bypass

[Fashionably Late]

My husband mentioned paying for a private bypass today after the NHS experience I seem to be having. This is a big step for him. But he did have a few questions I couldn't answer.

Did you get a choice of dates for surgery? Is it possible to get a Friday or weekend surgery? He is just trying to think of care for our three kids.

How long were you in hospital?

How long between initial enquiry and actual surgery?

Did you pay when you made the appointment or when you check in for surgery?

Any insight would be great. If you recommend your surgeon, please let me know.

 

[tinkywinky]

My husband mentioned paying for a private bypass today after the NHS experience I seem to be having. This is a big step for him. But he did have a few questions I couldn't answer.

Did you get a choice of dates for surgery? Is it possible to get a Friday or weekend surgery? He is just trying to think of care for our three kids.

Im a bander but yes i got choice of surgery and it was a friday.

How long were you in hospital?

How long between initial enquiry and actual surgery?
when private its as quick as you like depending on surgeons dates

Did you pay when you made the appointment or when you check in for surgery?
didnt pay consultation. paid £1000 deposit to hold surgery date then balance 2wks before surgery
Any insight would be great. If you recommend your surgeon, please let me know.

Good luck with your journey.

 

[gaelic girl]

Did you get a choice of dates for surgery?
Yes mutually agreed with surgeon to fit in with my requirements

Is it possible to get a Friday or weekend surgery? He is just trying to think of care for our three kids.

Yes my surgery was on a Friday as i had to travel 220 miles but Sat was available too
How long were you in hospital?
2 days (again down to distance)

How long between initial enquiry and actual surgery?

Mine was 3 months( my choice) could have been as early as 3 weeks

Did you pay when you made the appointment or when you check in for surgery?
Mine was an inclusive care package. Paid surgeon £250 for consultation ( just prior to apt). On day of surgery paid full balance to hospital on check in and sent surgeon his share by bank transfer (night before op)

Any insight would be great. If you recommend your surgeon, please let me know.
Can't sing Mr Ammori's praises enough that's why i travelled 220 miles! xx
__________________

 

[kandeechops]

I'm not sure if it's the same for by-pass, I had a band fitted there was about a 10 days between my consultation & op,
I was given a choice of date's
Paid £550 at consultation to hold date i had choosen & the rest 8 days before op,It all happened very quickly but i'm so glad it did!!!If you have this option i would say go for it cos there seem's to be a long waiting list on NHS

 

[Silversurfer]

Everything Allies said is correct, when you pay you choose all the way, from consultation to operating table took me 2 weeks, and that was only because we needed to arrange child care.

I had my op on Saturday and was home by monday, ended up having an extra night as i liked the private hospital so much.

As Allie also said, go for Basil Ammori - he's a god amoungst bariatric surgeons, and go up the Alexandra at Cheadle, its more like a hotel than a hospital !

good luck

 

[CCPM]

Hi

Same for me in regard to time could have got in in a month with Mr Somers in London but longer at Chichester. I live very close to you and would just mention that you will have to travel some way to get an op. Luton and Dunstable or Birmingham is probably the closest. Three Shires in Northampton have only recently started to offer it but Mr Finch has only just started doing them so I choose not to go there. From my work experience all private work is usually payable before op if self funding.

Hope that adds to your information

M

 

[Fashionably Late]

Thanks so much everyone. I will give all this information to my husband. I have had two appointments at Birmingham Heartlands and I am not impressed at all. The doctor today actually scared me off them completely.

I am just happy that my husband is considering it. He spoke to someone who had the surgery in Southampton privately and I need to get him to understand it will cost a bit more up here based on what I have seen.

 

[Snowcrystal]

My husband mentioned paying for a private bypass today after the NHS experience I seem to be having. This is a big step for him. But he did have a few questions I couldn't answer.

Did you get a choice of dates for surgery? Is it possible to get a Friday or weekend surgery? He is just trying to think of care for our three kids.

How long were you in hospital?

How long between initial enquiry and actual surgery?

Did you pay when you made the appointment or when you check in for surgery?

Any insight would be great. If you recommend your surgeon, please let me know.

Hi FC

That consultation with that jerk really hurt you didn't it?

I can really understand how you must feel....

When I was going to go private it would have been like this...1st consultation with team...2nd consultation with surgeon...preliminary date would have been agreed...day would depend on what days he would have theatre in which hospital....(but this is how that particular surgeon and his team worked).

Payment has to be cleared before the operation I was told.

Hope this helps a bit..

Good luck....

(((hugs)))

 

[Silversurfer]

Thanks so much everyone. I will give all this information to my husband. I have had two appointments at Birmingham Heartlands and I am not impressed at all. The doctor today actually scared me off them completely.

I am just happy that my husband is considering it. He spoke to someone who had the surgery in Southampton privately and I need to get him to understand it will cost a bit more up here based on what I have seen.

Sounds like your doing your research which is the right thing to do, i'd personally not be put of by distance to get the best surgeon you can, i went from the east kent coast to Manchester for Basil Ammori, and a year post op it was worth the distance and aggrevasion travelling. Mkaes sure who ever you choose does laproscopic and check out there credentials fully, dont compramise at - this is your health.

Good luck and enjoy the journey

 

[gaelic girl]

Yes i have to echo SS's words well worth travelling to get the best. What i did was google the surgeons and listened to people on here too. Although orginally told i'd have to pay up front as i said in previous post only paid on the actual day and did'nt get hunted down ha ha x

 

[thinkbethin]

I was done on the nhs but just want to wish you luck on whatever you decide to doxx

 

[fat-girl-slim08]

Did you get a choice of dates for surgery?

Yes I got a choice of dates, which ever suited me,

Is it possible to get a Friday or weekend surgery? He is just trying to think of care for our three kids.

Yes I had mine on a Saturday.

How long were you in hospital?

3 days in hospital arrived saturday morning at 7am went home Monday dinner time.

How long between initial enquiry and actual surgery?

Mine was 3 weeks could have been as early as 1 week from first consultation

Did you pay when you made the appointment or when you check in for surgery?

Mine was also an inclusive care package. I Paid a £500 deposit a week after my consultation and then Paid £10,000 in full 5 days before my Op.

Any insight would be great. If you recommend your surgeon, please let me know.

I went through www.Healthierweight.co.uk and my surgeon was the delightfull Mr Ammori and was at The Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle, Manchester,
He was Brilliant!!
The hospital was like a hotel and i can Highly reccomend them.

Good luck!!

 

[rosejohnson]

My husband mentioned paying for a private bypass today after the NHS experience I seem to be having. This is a big step for him. But he did have a few questions I couldn't answer.

Did you get a choice of dates for surgery? Is it possible to get a Friday or weekend surgery? He is just trying to think of care for our three kids.

I am getting mine done next saturday, so weekends obviously available.

How long were you in hospital?
Not had it done yet, but they told me I can expect to be home monday

How long between initial enquiry and actual surgery?

About 2 weeks

Did you pay when you made the appointment or when you check in for surgery?

I left it quite late so just paid the whole balance when I decided to go ahead. I believe they usually take a £1000 deposit and the balance a weel or two before, but as I am getting operated on quite quickly that wasn't an option

Any insight would be great. If you recommend your surgeon, please let me know.
I can't remember his name but it is through WLSG in Rochdale. Will let you know afterwards!

Good luck, my hubby not too keen on the amount it's costing, but I just didn't give him a choice!

Rx

 

[Jezabelle]

Hi FL,
What happened with the consultant?
I'm dreading going back to him as I have a feeling he is going to tell me to go away. After going to the group meeting last night it seems we are both having a tough time with Heartlands, nearly everyone at the group has just flown through to surgery and havn't had to go through the rubbish we are being put through.

 

[Fashionably Late]

You all are the best!

Julie- I saw another consultant today and his surname started with Q. I had lost the 5% that Annemarie told me I had to lose. He didn't care. He wants me to lose a total of 10% of my weight from yesterday, which pulls me out of NICE criteria. I explained that and he said that was the new procedure. He then explained that he wanted to see me again at the end of November and if I have lost the 10%, he would think about referring me to the surgeon. It could then take 3-4 months to get an appointment with the surgeon. Meet with the surgeon, then wait for a referral to the shrink. Once the shrink gives the okay, will send me back to the surgeon. Then the date would be set.

BUT... this was the kicker. This guy was harping on about Heartlands 95% FAILURE rate when it comes to WLS. Like it was something to be proud of. He said that he and the other doctors are supposed to continue pushing weight loss and then pushing people to continue naturally versus having surgery.

This doctor was as nice as could be. I liked him but he seemed medically clueless. He said if surgery happened before next summer he would be surprised. I met a lady in the waiting room who has been faffing around with them and WLS for a year and is still no closer to surgery.

 

[fatbutnot4eva]

Thats awful of him, wls is a last resort and we have all considered and researched this 100% before you even get to the stage you are at.
I am very very lucky I am NHS and my surgeon is Mr Ammori I am (fingers crossed) having the band and it will be by the end of the year (again fingers crossed) but the journey started early in 2008 so almost 2 years to get a +++ result.
Good luck I hope you get what you deserve xxx

 

[Jezabelle]

Morning FL,
I know alot of new procedures have been placed at Heartlands and that there are thousands and thousands of people waiting for wls I was told this the other night at the group meeting.

I'm attending every thing I can so they can't say to me you need to attend this and that. I know it's not going to happen quickly as it's the NHS, just sad that I didn't do this last year when it was easier to get referred straight to the surgeons.

I'm now dreading going back for my 3/4 month weight check. :cry:

I so wish I could afford to go private but that will never happen due to being a carer.

Will you stay on the waiting list or are you going to go down the private route?

So sorry it's not being a easy journey for you. x

You all are the best!

Julie- I saw another consultant today and his surname started with Q. I had lost the 5% that Annemarie told me I had to lose. He didn't care. He wants me to lose a total of 10% of my weight from yesterday, which pulls me out of NICE criteria. I explained that and he said that was the new procedure. He then explained that he wanted to see me again at the end of November and if I have lost the 10%, he would think about referring me to the surgeon. It could then take 3-4 months to get an appointment with the surgeon. Meet with the surgeon, then wait for a referral to the shrink. Once the shrink gives the okay, will send me back to the surgeon. Then the date would be set.

BUT... this was the kicker. This guy was harping on about Heartlands 95% FAILURE rate when it comes to WLS. Like it was something to be proud of. He said that he and the other doctors are supposed to continue pushing weight loss and then pushing people to continue naturally versus having surgery.

This doctor was as nice as could be. I liked him but he seemed medically clueless. He said if surgery happened before next summer he would be surprised. I met a lady in the waiting room who has been faffing around with them and WLS for a year and is still no closer to surgery.

 

[Fashionably Late]

I want to stay on the waiting list until something happens privately for me. I wish I could go down the NHS route but the Heartlands stats scared me. For a doctor to brag about a 95% failure rate made me gobsmacked.

 

[hayley1983]

My husband mentioned paying for a private bypass today after the NHS experience I seem to be having. This is a big step for him. But he did have a few questions I couldn't answer.

Did you get a choice of dates for surgery?
Yes, I asked for all the dates with Mr Ackroyd free in August and September so that I could work arround it, and Michelle @ WLSG did just that. He did Tuesday's and sometimes Saturdays for private. (It may have changed though)

Is it possible to get a Friday or weekend surgery? He is just trying to think of care for our three kids. If it's still the case Mr Ackroyd did Saturdays, but I know that WLSG now have another Surgeon in Rochdale, and I think that was Saturdays as well.

How long were you in hospital? Admitted Wed 19th August, home by Friday 21st August

How long between initial enquiry and actual surgery? Initial enquiry 2nd July, Consultation 30th July, Bypass Op 19th August

Did you pay when you made the appointment or when you check in for surgery? Consultation is free with WLSG. You pay £1000 to secure your date, then pay the remaining £8995.00 up to 7 days before surgery. But they are pretty laid back with it I think.

Any insight would be great. If you recommend your surgeon, please let me know.

I was with Mr Ackroyd at Thornbury Hospital in Sheffield. I would highly recommend him and WLSG. He's a very nice guy, puts you at ease, and is straight to the point. I think a few people on this forum have used him The WLSG are great. All the staff there are very nice, great to get along with, very informative, and are they immediately if you have any questions for them

Hope this helps and good luck with whatever you decide.

Hayley

xxx

 

[Silversurfer]

You all are the best!

Julie- I saw another consultant today and his surname started with Q. I had lost the 5% that Annemarie told me I had to lose. He didn't care. He wants me to lose a total of 10% of my weight from yesterday, which pulls me out of NICE criteria. I explained that and he said that was the new procedure. He then explained that he wanted to see me again at the end of November and if I have lost the 10%, he would think about referring me to the surgeon. It could then take 3-4 months to get an appointment with the surgeon. Meet with the surgeon, then wait for a referral to the shrink. Once the shrink gives the okay, will send me back to the surgeon. Then the date would be set.

BUT... this was the kicker. This guy was harping on about Heartlands 95% FAILURE rate when it comes to WLS. Like it was something to be proud of. He said that he and the other doctors are supposed to continue pushing weight loss and then pushing people to continue naturally versus having surgery.

This doctor was as nice as could be. I liked him but he seemed medically clueless. He said if surgery happened before next summer he would be surprised. I met a lady in the waiting room who has been faffing around with them and WLS for a year and is still no closer to surgery.

- This is so NHS - and the reason i didn't even consider NHS ! honest to god no one questioned me, i met my consultant, signed up, paid my deposit and two weeks later i was on the table surrounded by pro's that knew what they were doing.
Go private (if you can) (i went through healthier weight to) have your op as quickly as you can, and this time next year you'll be lying on the beach 10 stone lighter !