Researching cosmetic surgery online

[Tuesday83]

I have no idea how to do this properly or where to even begin.
What do you do? How do you find out if your Doctor is legitimate or a fraud or a cowboy etc. Or is he does good work?

Basically I am asking because I want to go for a Gastric Band operation in Europe. In the UK it costs around £8,500 and I just don't have that. But I have seen prices advertised all around Europe (France, Belgium etc.) for as little as £3,000 - £5,000.

[sara3]

if you can't get it done on the NHS, do you really need it? most doctors would advise you to lose weight pre-op, so why not give that a go and see how you get on?

if not, I'm sure your GP would have some advice for you.

[whitelady]

Hello, I would advise you NOT to have any type of cosmetic surgery done outside of the UK. I DID AND IT NEARLY COST ME MY LIFE. I live in Northern Ireland and went to the South of Ireland to have my operation, a tummy tuck. All went very well until about four days after I got home when I got an infection. I went to outpatients dept. at my local hospital, they did NOT want to know me ! moreorless told me to go back to where I had the operation done and that they could look after me. I then went to see my GP who was very rude to me too, all because I went outside the UK where I live for the procedure. With no other way of getting help I phoned the Consultant who did the operation initially and told him how ill I was, he told me to come and see him immediately. My husband and I set off but I became very ill on my way to see him and he got me into hospital where I had to have a further 2 operations before I got home. I was in hospital for 2 more weeks. Had I had the op in France or Belgium what would I have done? Don't do it, try for NHS and I am sure if they think it is necessary you will get it done for free. Good Luck

[Sqad]

whitelady.....that sort of situation can happen anywhere, even in the NHS.

In the 50's a very famous Politician had a gall bladder operation in an equally famous London Teaching Hospital and the operation was "botched" and he had to go to the U.S.A to have it "redone"

The Northern Ireland NHS were duty bound to treat your complications, and could face criminal charges if negligence was to be proved.

The standard of medical care in other countries, exceeds that of the NHS in many cases, so do not be put off in seeking surgery in other European Countries.

[kristy70]

Where in the UK are you? A friend of mine had the operation 3 months ago and has recommended the place to me. I am having mine done on the NHS though.

[Sqad]

http://www.gastricbandsurgery.eu/cost1a.html