Opting for Surgery Abroad
If you'd rather look around to find cheaper options for getting an operation, the information below maybe a good place for you to start to help select a potential country.
So if you fancy going on a surgical holiday, continue reading!
Cost of Breast Surgery
Whether you would like smaller or bigger breasts or you would just like them lifted a little, you will find that going on the NHS will inevitably be impossible, if no damage to your mental health can be found, they will be less prepared to perform such surgery on the NHS, or can end up taking many years.
Going private in the UK can also turn out to be quite expensive with prices of around £4500. The alternative of going abroad is becoming more and more attractive to many women. For breast enlargement the cost is roughly the same in countries on the Continent (£2300) apart from in Spain which is slightly more expensive at almost £3000, but still cheaper than in the UK. Even getting surgery in South Africa is cheaper, though obviously adding the cost of a return flight ticket for you (and a companion) as well as accommodation, you would find that it would work out much more expensive. Hence, with all procedures, you will have to shop around and consider ALL costs, not only the cost of the operation.
Fig 1. Graph showing various costs of breast surgery abroad
Cost of Abdominal Surgery
If you're wanting to remove a little fat around your waistline or hips, then the lowest cost for liposuction was found to be in Hungary. Belgium and the Czech Republic also charged less for this procedure. Recovery from such a procedure is a matter of a day or so, allowing you time to do some sight-seeing whilst you were away which minimal pain. There is also reduced chance of infection as compared to a procedure such as a tummy tuck. Abdominoplasty is a much more serious operation that can require a stay of a few days in hospital and quite severe pain after. The Czech Republic and Hungary were found to be the cheapest for this procedure, but again, Belgium was also a cheap alternative to the price you would have to pay in the UK.
Fig 2. Graph showing various costs of abdominal surgery abroad
Facial Surgery
Rhinoplasty (nose job) and facelifts were found to be the least expensive in Eastern Europe (£1300 and £1500, respectively). Though again, Belgium was also much cheaper than the UK. As with breast and abdominal procedures, Spain was the most expensive amongst the foreign locations looked at.
Fig 3. Graph showing various costs of facial surgery abroad
Eye Surgery
Rather than spending £2000 to have laser eye surgery in the UK, you can opt to travel to places such as Hungary where you can get both eyes done for half the price. Both Belgium and Spain could carry out the operation at a slightly higher price of £1300, but would still be cheaper than in the UK. Cataract operations are also performed for a lower price than privately here in the UK. Belgium was seen to be the cheapest, though this form of operation may be cheaper in Eastern Europe, but no values could be found.
Fig 4. Graph showing various costs of eye surgery abroad
Lower Limb Procedures
Getting varicose veins removed works out the cheapest in South Africa, but you must consider travel costs and insurance and the cost of accommodation on top of the cost of surgery. Belgium again works out to be one of the cheapest place to go for this form of day surgery.
Having a total knee or hip replacement is serious surgery and something that should carefully be thought out before opting to have it carried out abroad. Both are expensive procedures and having a knee replacement is more expensive wherever you choose to have the surgery performed. Hungary seems to be the cheapest for both types of lower limb surgery (both around £5000). There is little difference between cost in Belgium, Spain or South Africa.
Fig 5. Cost of lower limb surgery abroad
Summary of Private Surgery Procedures at Home and Abroad
For any operation that was looked at, the cost in the UK was always the highest. Eastern European countries tended to be the cheapest, though Belgium also gave consistently low prices for all the operations investigated. Spain was only slightly less expensive than opting for private treatment in the UK.
As with all surgery you must be prepared for possible side effects as well as problems such as infection. Will you be able to spend an extra week away from work/home/family if such things occur? If you have to have someone with you for a certain procedure, will they also be able to take such a long time off, as well as both of you having to spend money on accommodation, flights and travel insurance? As with all operations, complications can occur which you must be able to take into consideration before opting into travelling abroad for surgery.
by Dr Judith Juhasz for Whatprice.co.uk
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Date Added: Wednesday 2nd September 2009
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