Those of you who went the private route

[Zoobles]

How did you decide on your surgeon, location, hospital etc?

I've done lots of reading, on here and across the internet, and feel a roux-en-y bypass is my best option. But where to have it done is boggling my mind! I've found surgeons with good feedback all over the UK, and abroad.

There's obviously the huge price difference between having the op here or in Belgium/ Czech republic etc, but with the hassle of going abroad. Or I could choose to stay in the UK, but pay almost twice as much. And it seems every surgeon has a sightly different price for each hospital they work in!

With so many options out there, how did you narrow it down to the surgeon you chose? Any input will be appreciated, and will help me sort out my muddled mind

Thank you v much

 

[Tina.W12]

How did you decide on your surgeon, location, hospital etc? I've done lots of reading, on here and across the internet, and feel a roux-en-y bypass is my best option. But where to have it done is boggling my mind! I've found surgeons with good feedback all over the UK, and abroad. There's obviously the huge price difference between having the op here or in Belgium/ Czech republic etc, but with the hassle of going abroad. Or I could choose to stay in the UK, but pay almost twice as much. And it seems every surgeon has a sightly different price for each hospital they work in! With so many options out there, how did you narrow it down to the surgeon you chose? Any input will be appreciated, and will help me sort out my muddled mind Thank you v much

I would look at both the surgeon and the aftercare package. Also somewhere you are willing to travel to for aftercare, it is usually 2 years, appointments are pre op, surgery, 6 weeks post op, and then every 3 months. Aftercare is very important, nearly as much as a good surgeon.

See as many surgeons as possible, some hospitals do open evenings where you can meet the team etc

Look up the surgeons stats and see what their complication rates are etc.

You have to feel comfortable with who you decide.

It is usually cheaper to go to the surgeon or hospital direct rather than going through an agency

To give you a guideline, l had mine done last week by Prof Ammori at Spire Cheshire and including 2 years aftercare it was £9,150

Sent from my iPhone using WLSurgery

 

[Lilacglittergirl]

If you are in the South East Google my man, Mr Alberic Fiennes (Surrey Weightloss). I cannot fault him and the team (nor the hospital care during my stay) - he is one of the world's leading experts. And the support and aftercare is second to none. I had my bypass done by him at St Anthony's in Cheam.

 

[SleeveGirl]

I knew I wanted a surgeon with a great reputation and at a hospital close by, as well as good aftercare, and that is exactly what I got

 

[Butterfly_lady]

I had consultations with several companies and particularly liked 1 surgeon, I then googled him and he came out great in all I read, I then haggled on the price

 

[jan52]

I went to Belgium and based it on the surgery I wanted - mini gastric Bypass, price, the surgeons reputation and lack of complications rate etc. very few Surgeons offer the Mini gastric bypass in the UK and none in my area so it was closer and cheaper to go to Belgium ( only 40 min flight ).... The surgeon is considered to have the best record and the most experience in this surgery than any other in Europe and I really wanted the trust he was an expert in his field...... Also it was almost half the price and I would still be saving if I had to have it in UK.

 

[Tules]

I went for Spire Hospital. They offer fixed price and I was happy with their care package. You can check one near you and see if any surgeons appeal to you.

 

[Zoobles]

Thank you all so much

My UK list is currently Prof Ammori, Ameet Patel and now Alberic Fiennes too. The hospitals range from Surrey and London up to Cheshire and Manchester, at prices from £8500 to £11000.

My abroad list is Chris de Bruyne and Bruno Dillemans, at much cheaper prices (can't remember them offhand).

This is such a major decision to make. If only money wasn't a factor, and childcare wasn't a factor, and I wasn't so indecisive...

 

[Lilacglittergirl]

All I will say is the access to support is crucial after bypass, as is follow-up checks etc. The experience is over-whelming and you need to be able to be confident in the specialist aftercare to get you through ... the surgery is not rocket-science, but what happens in your head cannot be underestimated. Whoever you chose, please please ensure you can contact the support team at any time with questions. I have access to a monthly support group too which is invaluable. I do not think that many private teams provide that. I know many people on here have had positive experiences of going abroad for surgery - but for me it was the access that in the end made me think the extra money was worth paying. You will undergo major surgery and will be in hospital for about three to four days (the first 24hrs will be HDU). My experience of just getting home from Cheam to Kent was a challenge that I cannot even begin to imagine what travelling home from abroad must be like. This is not a quick cosmetic procedure - it is major life changing stuff. Whoever you decide to go with, take it a step at a time - make the initial consultation appointment and take it from there. I was overwhelmed and to this day cannot recall driving home after seeing AGTWF - I know I had to get into bed as I was exhausted emotionally. I thought about it for a week or so, and then the rest is history. He keeps us all on our toes and I have the greatest respect for him - and his work. He has dedicated his life to bariatrics and trained the NHS teams at St George's and also at UCH. I think you would struggle to find better TBH xxx

Just editing to add - his specialist nurse and surgical assistant is his wife, Louise. She is also his secretary. She called nearly every day for the first six weeks after I got home to ensure I was OK and understood the various stages of the post-op diet etc. She is always on the end of the phone/text/email if I have questions even now. It is all included in the package ... priceless. Oh, and St Anthony's is now part of Spire - they took over the hospital from the nuns a few months ago. If you agree to go ahead with the man in the bowtie you will get a package price (tho you pay the surgeon and anaesthetist separately) so there should be no hidden hospital extras.

 

[ThinnerJemima]

Zoobies, I can't pm you but choosing a surgeon that has the balance of more recent training and yet loads of experience should be considered. Over the years some of the wls has been adjusted as the surgeons following repair their tutors original surgery as guidelines get adjusted particularly in the length of the replumbing limb.

Age is one of my factors in choosing a surgeon.

 

[Zoobles]

Oh, that is definitely something I hadn't considered! Thank you, I shall give that some serious thought too.