Surgery outside the UK.....anyone had it?
Discussion
Stablelad said:
Costing variations for an MRI seem to be commonplace. 1st private clinic quoted me £750, 2nd £875 and 3rd £450. 3rd also comes recommended from a friend who, like me, treats his body as if it was still in it's 20's. Which in our case they most definitely ain't! 
Just out of interest where are you based?sleep envy said:
my father had surgery in Italy, no waiting lists and no MRSA
Not true. Italy has MRSA, as do many Western countries. Edited by sleep envy on Monday 2nd March 09:50
Of course, you can pay to have an MRI urgently in the UK and bypass the waiting list. That'd be my suggestion, rather than paying for overseas travel/accomadation etc.
croyde said:
A year ago I was diagnosed with a basal cell carcinoma on my nose ( a cancerous growth which gets bigger but is not malignant ) but had to wait 3 months for the Op.
The Op was originally supposed to be a small cut and a stitch but by the time I had it, it was so much bigger that a lot of skin was taken off and a graft taken from the back of my ear.
A much more complicated procedure and more expensive and longer to recover from. Where is the sense in that.
Sorry rant over
Actually I seriously doubt that a 3 month wait for removal of a BCC would incur such a different management plan, having removed many myself. I would suggest that in order to ensure adequate clearance of the tumour, the surgeon has to remove margins of at least 3mm around the tumour, and most often that requires either a skin flap or graft to cover the defect. It's probable that whoever told you that the treatment would be a cut and a stitch didn't know what they were talking about.The Op was originally supposed to be a small cut and a stitch but by the time I had it, it was so much bigger that a lot of skin was taken off and a graft taken from the back of my ear.
A much more complicated procedure and more expensive and longer to recover from. Where is the sense in that.
Sorry rant over
As I'm privately insured I see the right price for MRIs here in Germany. Had two in the last 18 months, none were over €400,- including the specialists reports afterwards. If you're covered by an E-form get surgery in Germany if you can whilst on holiday. Most of the hospitals are first class and clean (apart form our local slaughterhouse), and you can easily get in if you're private... no waiting lists etc.
For the OPs injury I'd recommend Freiburgs University Hospital which has one of the best sport-injury clinics in the world.
For the OPs injury I'd recommend Freiburgs University Hospital which has one of the best sport-injury clinics in the world.
I'd go with Private if you possibly can.
I have a similar problem at the moment. Torn ACL, torn cartilage and some damage to the bottom of my thigh bone.
My GP referred me to an orthopaedic surgeon on the friday, I had my first consultation on the following thursday, the MRI a week after that and my second consultation on the following monday.I have been advised I need reconstructive surgery. Tendons taken from hamstring and placed round the knee, cartilage flushed out etc.
I am seeing a physio next week, and although I don't have a definite date yet, I'm looking at the surgery within the next fortnight.
I have been told the following the surgery it's 2-3 days in hospital, 2 weeks on crutches, and quite alot of physio post op. I can't say as though I'd like to be going through that abroad, then having a couple of hour flight back with a barely working knee so soon after surgery.
I have a similar problem at the moment. Torn ACL, torn cartilage and some damage to the bottom of my thigh bone.
My GP referred me to an orthopaedic surgeon on the friday, I had my first consultation on the following thursday, the MRI a week after that and my second consultation on the following monday.I have been advised I need reconstructive surgery. Tendons taken from hamstring and placed round the knee, cartilage flushed out etc.
I am seeing a physio next week, and although I don't have a definite date yet, I'm looking at the surgery within the next fortnight.
I have been told the following the surgery it's 2-3 days in hospital, 2 weeks on crutches, and quite alot of physio post op. I can't say as though I'd like to be going through that abroad, then having a couple of hour flight back with a barely working knee so soon after surgery.
Edited by Komier on Tuesday 3rd March 08:33
Stablelad said:
So 1 day into our holiday (feb 19th) I have an argument with an Italian Mountain and not unsurprisingly it won....
My knee collapsed completely from under me and the initial diagnosis is that the Medial ligament was broken with possible further damage to the cruciate ligament. I didn't cry with the pain.....that was a piece of grit in my eye...;).
The Italian hospital drained some fluid off,took xrays (no breaks) and put me in an open-kneed cast to allow me to fly home on Feb 25th. The whole leg started to swell up to twice normal proportions so I was back at the hospital within 4 days where they then checked for a DVT. All clear thankfully.
We're now home in the UK and have been out to the local A+E where they did another set of xrays and told me they too will be doing a DVT scan. I'm informed that I'll need an MRI scan on the knee before they can assess what surgery is required but the waiting list for an MRI is 4-6 weeks! It could then be a further 4-6 weeks before surgery and a further 8 weeks before I'm mobile again.
Needless to say this will have a huge impact on my life in 2009 so I'm wondering if taking £5K and heading off to a specialist clinic in Eastern Europe for a month might be a better idea?
Anyone gone down this route or have any recommendations?
Thanks in advance!
Al
What about your holiday insurance?My knee collapsed completely from under me and the initial diagnosis is that the Medial ligament was broken with possible further damage to the cruciate ligament. I didn't cry with the pain.....that was a piece of grit in my eye...;).
The Italian hospital drained some fluid off,took xrays (no breaks) and put me in an open-kneed cast to allow me to fly home on Feb 25th. The whole leg started to swell up to twice normal proportions so I was back at the hospital within 4 days where they then checked for a DVT. All clear thankfully.
We're now home in the UK and have been out to the local A+E where they did another set of xrays and told me they too will be doing a DVT scan. I'm informed that I'll need an MRI scan on the knee before they can assess what surgery is required but the waiting list for an MRI is 4-6 weeks! It could then be a further 4-6 weeks before surgery and a further 8 weeks before I'm mobile again.
Needless to say this will have a huge impact on my life in 2009 so I'm wondering if taking £5K and heading off to a specialist clinic in Eastern Europe for a month might be a better idea?
Anyone gone down this route or have any recommendations?
Thanks in advance!
Al
968 said:
sleep envy said:
my father had surgery in Italy, no waiting lists and no MRSA
Not true. Italy has MRSA, as do many Western countries.Edited by sleep envy on Monday 2nd March 09:50
There was an article on the news last year about people going to India for surgery. The hospitals were immaculate and the standard of care was very impressive. Check out the following site, loads of happy patients who saved a bomb over private medical treatment in the UK.
http://www.treatmentabroad.com/
Some customer stories from India
http://www.treatmentabroad.com/surgery-abroad/indi...
Some news articles,
http://www.themedicaltouristcompany.com/press-arti...
http://www.treatmentabroad.com/
Some customer stories from India
http://www.treatmentabroad.com/surgery-abroad/indi...
Some news articles,
http://www.themedicaltouristcompany.com/press-arti...
Edited by eldudereno on Tuesday 3rd March 10:14
ALawson said:
Stablelad said:
Costing variations for an MRI seem to be commonplace. 1st private clinic quoted me £750, 2nd £875 and 3rd £450. 3rd also comes recommended from a friend who, like me, treats his body as if it was still in it's 20's. Which in our case they most definitely ain't!
Just out of interest where are you based?A good few years ago my sister had to have an infected toe drained while we were in France. We went from GPs in the afternoon to surgery early the next morning, with a course of antibiotics and painkillers over night to help her (and my parents) sleep.
They may have been quick because she was only 2 years old at the time, but the rate at which she was seen and sorted was astonishing, I fully suspect that on the NHS it would have been a case of antibiotics for a week and if it hasn't cleared up then come back.
You don't necessarily need to go to an East European country, some of the West European ones will do a good job for a decent price as well.
They may have been quick because she was only 2 years old at the time, but the rate at which she was seen and sorted was astonishing, I fully suspect that on the NHS it would have been a case of antibiotics for a week and if it hasn't cleared up then come back.
You don't necessarily need to go to an East European country, some of the West European ones will do a good job for a decent price as well.
Update for those that are interested...
Went to the hospital for them to have a further check today. They have 'misplaced' my file! Doctor in the Orthopedic section saw me anyhow. They then sent me for more xrays...the same ones they took on Saturday!!
They want to do more ultrasound ( will be my 3rd) and they are adamant that there is no way of shortening the 4-6 weeks for the crucial MRI scan on the knee nor is there any way of shortening the subsequent 12-18 weeks wait time on any necessary surgical procedure that the MRI results dictate are necessary.
As I left the unit I made a decision.....
There's no way I could stand to wait up to 16-24 weeks for the all-important operation that will allow me to walk again. Nor do I want to get driven mad by the bureaucratic myopia of the NHS system. They can smile widely and call me 'Sir' all they like but it means s
t when they expect you to hobble about for months waiting on getting your life back. So it's Private Health Care and the necessary costs involved for me. Off to see the top Orthopedic Surgeon/knee specialist in Glasgow tomorrow afternoon and he has already arranged for an MRI while I'm there.
It's a sad thought that all the tax/NI I've paid over 25 years supports such a questionable process. The NHS people have mostly been really nice (including the nurse that told me she herself has Private Medical insurance!)however I'm just not prepared to wait. What if I did and they lost my fookin' file again???
Went to the hospital for them to have a further check today. They have 'misplaced' my file! Doctor in the Orthopedic section saw me anyhow. They then sent me for more xrays...the same ones they took on Saturday!!
They want to do more ultrasound ( will be my 3rd) and they are adamant that there is no way of shortening the 4-6 weeks for the crucial MRI scan on the knee nor is there any way of shortening the subsequent 12-18 weeks wait time on any necessary surgical procedure that the MRI results dictate are necessary.
As I left the unit I made a decision.....
There's no way I could stand to wait up to 16-24 weeks for the all-important operation that will allow me to walk again. Nor do I want to get driven mad by the bureaucratic myopia of the NHS system. They can smile widely and call me 'Sir' all they like but it means s
t when they expect you to hobble about for months waiting on getting your life back. So it's Private Health Care and the necessary costs involved for me. Off to see the top Orthopedic Surgeon/knee specialist in Glasgow tomorrow afternoon and he has already arranged for an MRI while I'm there.It's a sad thought that all the tax/NI I've paid over 25 years supports such a questionable process. The NHS people have mostly been really nice (including the nurse that told me she herself has Private Medical insurance!)however I'm just not prepared to wait. What if I did and they lost my fookin' file again???
Edited by Stablelad on Tuesday 3rd March 17:35
Edited by Stablelad on Tuesday 3rd March 17:36
MentalSarcasm said:
A good few years ago my sister had to have an infected toe drained while we were in France. We went from GPs in the afternoon to surgery early the next morning, with a course of antibiotics and painkillers over night to help her (and my parents) sleep.
They may have been quick because she was only 2 years old at the time, but the rate at which she was seen and sorted was astonishing, I fully suspect that on the NHS it would have been a case of antibiotics for a week and if it hasn't cleared up then come back.
You don't necessarily need to go to an East European country, some of the West European ones will do a good job for a decent price as well.
I have been known to see people with very angry looking, infected, ingrown toenails on the Wednesday and have em sorted on the Friday.They may have been quick because she was only 2 years old at the time, but the rate at which she was seen and sorted was astonishing, I fully suspect that on the NHS it would have been a case of antibiotics for a week and if it hasn't cleared up then come back.
You don't necessarily need to go to an East European country, some of the West European ones will do a good job for a decent price as well.
The NHS can do it, they just don't?
Stablelad said:
Update for those that are interested...
Went to the hospital for them to have a further check today. They have 'misplaced' my file! Doctor in the Orthopedic section saw me anyhow. They then sent me for more xrays...the same ones they took on Saturday!!
They want to do more ultrasound ( will be my 3rd) and they are adamant that there is no way of shortening the 4-6 weeks for the crucial MRI scan on the knee nor is there any way of shortening the subsequent 12-18 weeks wait time on any necessary surgical procedure that the MRI results dictate are necessary.
As I left the unit I made a decision.....
There's no way I could stand to wait up to 16-24 weeks for the all-important operation that will allow me to walk again. Nor do I want to get driven mad by the bureaucratic myopia of the NHS system. They can smile widely and call me 'Sir' all they like but it means st when they expect you to hobble about for months waiting on getting your life back. So it's Private Health Care and the necessary costs involved for me. Off to see the top Orthopedic Surgeon/knee specialist in Glasgow tomorrow afternoon and he has already arranged for an MRI while I'm there.
It's a sad thought that all the tax/NI I've paid over 25 years supports such a questionable process. The NHS people have mostly been really nice (including the nurse that told me she herself has Private Medical insurance!)however I'm just not prepared to wait. What if I did and they lost my fookin' file again???
It's cos they've spent so much money paying for the implementation of the "new" 18weeks initiative. There's none left for surgeons and other AHP's to actually do a proper job.Went to the hospital for them to have a further check today. They have 'misplaced' my file! Doctor in the Orthopedic section saw me anyhow. They then sent me for more xrays...the same ones they took on Saturday!!
They want to do more ultrasound ( will be my 3rd) and they are adamant that there is no way of shortening the 4-6 weeks for the crucial MRI scan on the knee nor is there any way of shortening the subsequent 12-18 weeks wait time on any necessary surgical procedure that the MRI results dictate are necessary.
As I left the unit I made a decision.....
There's no way I could stand to wait up to 16-24 weeks for the all-important operation that will allow me to walk again. Nor do I want to get driven mad by the bureaucratic myopia of the NHS system. They can smile widely and call me 'Sir' all they like but it means s
t when they expect you to hobble about for months waiting on getting your life back. So it's Private Health Care and the necessary costs involved for me. Off to see the top Orthopedic Surgeon/knee specialist in Glasgow tomorrow afternoon and he has already arranged for an MRI while I'm there.It's a sad thought that all the tax/NI I've paid over 25 years supports such a questionable process. The NHS people have mostly been really nice (including the nurse that told me she herself has Private Medical insurance!)however I'm just not prepared to wait. What if I did and they lost my fookin' file again???
Edited by Stablelad on Tuesday 3rd March 17:35
Edited by Stablelad on Tuesday 3rd March 17:36
There you go
http://www.18weeks.nhs.uk/Content.aspx?path=/
Edited by dave_s13 on Tuesday 3rd March 18:36
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