Private or NHS? ie Finance or not???

[Hannah2]

OK, so I am just at the start of my journey heading towards a gastric bypass (I think), I am a bit bewildered but I am learning a lot in a short space of time. I have my first appointment with the NHS surgeon middle of April, I have been referred direct but I know that there are still hoops to jump through and I don't know at this moment in time how long it will be before I would actually have the operation.

I have spoken to someone who had a GB done privately and she asked me whether I would rather have the op privately and spend the next 12-18 months post surgery starting to live my life? Or, would I rather have things slightly easier financially, but know that I could have been getting my life on track rather than just waiting 12 months (or longer) for the NHS waitlist.

I am trying to answer that one!

So, I am looking into having it done privately and all that involves. Finance is doable, but I would need a loan, so it would be something that would be around for a number of years.

So, for those of you that took the plunge and went private, did you regret not waiting to have it done on the NHS? Have you regretted having finance hanging around and having to be dealt with? Or was it the best thing and you are glad that you did it that way?

Any opinions will help with my decision........ Thanks.

 

[Neticak]

Hi, I had a gastric band which I think is cheaper than the bypass, I wasn't eligible to be referred by my GP so has to go private. I had the cash saved up and my mum offered to pay for half but I was surprised when I got the link from my provider THG for the finance at how cheap it was - just over £100 a month so rather than dipping into my savings I opted for the finance option.

I guess it's a personal decision though x

 

[beepbeepcat]

With NHS the support network is good in my area...yes you jump through hoots but those are tools for the rest of your life...dietitian, movement/sport coach and vitally cognitive therapy to encourage a better start.

 

[tasmine]

I chose to go private as I was not eligible under NHS yes it cost me a lot and I could have spent the money on other things and I did it solely to improve my health because without my health nothing else was important 6 weeks post surgery and I have no regrets not even when I know I will be paying off the debt for a couple years good luck with your decision

 

[Caroline jess]

I had to go private twice!

 

[Monalisa]

I had to go private twice!

Me too x

 

[Butterfly_lady]

I opted for private for many reasons.
I could decided the date of my op so it was easier to sort things workwise
I could have it done quickly rather than waiting
I could choose the location
I could afford it

Its not an easy snap decision but good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[Hannah2]

Hi all, thank you for your replies. I know that it is a totally personal decision and will be different for everyone.

Beep, I didn't mean that jumping through those hoops was a bad thing, just that it takes time to see all the different specialists and that there are long gaps between appointments timewise due to the waiting lists as well. I didn't mean to be flippant about the procedure and the support given. in fact, the level of support after surgery if going private is a concern to me, and also what happens if anything goes wrong, or if there are complications. These are things that I am looking into as well.

I am no nearer making a decision yet! If I had the money sat there then it would be an obvious decision, but it is a big commitment to take out a loan.

Butterfly_lady, some of the points you made are important as well - the ability to chose when to have it so that I can give absolute dates to my work and so that my partner can take time off to look after me for the week after surgery, not to have to worry about a surgery date being postponed at the last minute and then that support would not be available as their time off would not be flexible.

Tasmine, I guess your point is one of the most important - I would be doing this for my health and the sooner that improves the better.

 

[beepbeepcat]

Hiya, I didn't take it the wrong way hun I can only go on my experience however my friend went private at the same hospital and no where near the support I got through the nhs. I just wish you luck x x any questions ask away

 

[tasmine]

I went through spire and have had great support it is so important when doing my homework my GP gave me some questions to ask about what if things went wrong please check as every provider is different and please google the consultant you are offered as under a different company the surgeon I was offered was struck off NHS but was still operating privately good luck with whatever choice you make I certainly have no regrets x

 

[Hannah2]

I went through spire and have had great support it is so important when doing my homework my GP gave me some questions to ask about what if things went wrong please check as every provider is different and please google the consultant you are offered as under a different company the surgeon I was offered was struck off NHS but was still operating privately good luck with whatever choice you make I certainly have no regrets x

Hi, if I went private it would be the same surgeon I am seeing in the NHS so I am not worried on that score. He has really good feedback as well.

It is also with the Spires group, it seems to offer 2 years support after surgery with up to 4 dieticians visits, 4 consultants visits and 2 years of blood tests post surgery. I did ask if something went wrong related to the surgery would any tests or treatments be included in the price and I was told that if it was thought to be a complication from the surgery then it would be included and there would be no further charge. My worry is that I would end up with a further bill on top of the cost for the surgery. Or, even worse, that they wont deal with "it" (whatever that might be) without further payment, but the NHS wouldn't either because I had gone private.

I might see if I can go and speak to someone, I think you can go and see the weight loss nurse without payment, but to see the consultant is £200 so I don't want to do that until I am sure. I do have my NHS appointment in April (with that consultant), so I think I will wait until after that appointment to make a decision.

 

[tasmine]

That seems sensible. I had mine done at Gatwick and they have information evenings and the surgeon is present also when I went to see the surgeon I wasn't charged a consultation fee so check it all out

 

[countrywench]

I have saved and paid for my gastric band op next month
My GP would not help me even though I am in severe pain with arthritic knees that need replacing , but can't have them because I'm overweight , go figure ..
So it's taken me a while and have saved the £6000 ..
It's a personal choice and also depends on timing , and in my case , pain .
If your in pain then your quality of life is lessened , so if you can pay and get the surgery earlier then go for it .
It's only money and money is there to make you happy and to live life ..
Mindy
Xx

 

[blossom11]

I've decided to go privately. It's been a long slog with savings but the wait just seemed too long with my other health issues. I also couldn't be sure I'd be offered the surgery I was hoping for with the nhs. I was three months into my NHS change point. They have said they will continue to support me with the 'Weight wise' course though which I think will really help me with the emotional aspects of eating post surgery.

Good luck whichever route you decide is best x x x

 

[Oopseydaisy]

. . .

 

[blossom11]

Hi there. JuSt a thought. Healthier weight do a thing where you can pay for a certain amount interest free. Not sure if they were a company you were looking at or not? But just to let you know they have that option x x x

 

[Hannah2]

Tbh my bmi was lower than the guidelines

Plus I work for the NHS, and that maybe affected my opinion?

But I made excuses all of my life, tbh if you can afford ( or borrow it )
Do it now, book it today! This time next year you will literally have a new life

Good luck hunny x x x

I had to laugh at your last sentence, a new life??? I cant imagine what that new life will feel like, but I want to feel it!!!

I had my NHS appointment and have been cleared by the psychologist and the surgeon agreed that I fitted the criteria. I asked what the current wait was and was told that once you are on the waitlist it would be at least 8 months, however, before going on the waitlist you have to have a group dietician meeting and an individual dietician meeting, but you cant book the date for the individual until you have had the group meeting - which means it is likely to be June/July until those are done and then probably discussed at the MDT meeting in August - so most likely to be at least a further 12 months wait on the NHS.

So, I have started enquires to go private - just waiting to hear back as to what the surgeons availability is at the private hospital. Then I can decide what to do.

Exciting, but terrifying!!!

 

[Hannah2]

Hi there. JuSt a thought. Healthier weight do a thing where you can pay for a certain amount interest free. Not sure if they were a company you were looking at or not? But just to let you know they have that option x x x

Hi Blossom, I want to use the surgeon that I would have on the NHS, so it is a local private hospital. I haven't looked anywhere else. They do do interest free loans (via another company), but it is only over 12 months I think, which is too quick to pay back the full amount!

 

[blossom11]

I might be wrong but I think Healthier weight do a sum you pay up front and then the rest of the amount (about half I think) is paid interest free x x hope this helps x x

 

[blossom11]

Good luck hunny. I was also really specific in the surgeon I wanted and found he worked for many different hospitals/providers.

Hope all goes well x