Privately Fitted Gastric Bands

There are all sorts of reason you may be looking at getting a Gastric band fitted privately.  There are a range of Plastic Surgeons who offer this procedure privately, and they all range in cost as well as what is offered to you. Similar to the guidelines set out by the NHS, you may also need to meet specific criteria with a private health clinic.

Guidelines

Some private clinics ask that you meet the NICE guidelines:


  • BMI of 40 or above or between 35-40 if the procedure may improve a current health problem you may already have, such as Type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure or Cardio Vascular Diseases.
  • 18 or Over
  • Evidence that you have in the past tried at least 6 months of weight loss methods, which have been unsuccessful in aiding your weight loss.
  • You must be fit for surgery
  • You must be able to commit to the aftercare needed which helps ensure the success of your weight loss due to the fitting of a Gastric Band.
Some private clinics offer the surgery if you have an existing health condition affected by your obesity and if your BMI is between 30 and 40; other clinics restrict the age limit to between 18 and 60.

If you were to choose a Private procedure there would be a lot fewer people responsible for the decision as to whether you were suited for a Gastric band or not. This would therefore reduce the amount of time it may take to start the procedure if you were to go ahead with having a band fitted privately.

Going Ahead With A Private Clinic

You will need to have a consultation with a surgeon before you are accepted for the procedure. You may also find telephone numbers online for specific private health clinics you may wish to attend, as well as short forms to fill out which will analyse your suitability for the surgery.  Some clinics still strongly recommend a GP referral form, so it may be wise to visit your GP prior to having a consultation to gain their support.

Refusal Of The Surgery

You may be refused surgery privately if you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, if you do not wish to follow strict aftercare following the procedure such as reduced calorie intake and a strict exercise plan. You may also be refused if you have specific conditions which affect your health, however this will be discussed with you in the initial consultation. Many Surgeries offer a free initial consultation for you to be assessed as to whether the surgery is suitable for you.

Cost Of The Surgery Privately

There are a range of Private Health institutes available to you who perform the surgery and the prices vary from surgery to surgery, as well as the packages provided to you if you were to have the surgery. The average price is usually around £7,000; however you can find surgery from as little as £4,000 to as much as £10,000. There is such a large gap between these prices that it is best recommended that you look into the whole procedure each clinic offers, as well as researching the quality of your care as well as the qualifications and past history of the surgeons who will be completing the procedure.

Paying For A Privately Fitted Band

Some clinics will ask you to pay for the surgery in full, whereas other clinics may offer discounts on the procedure - such as ‘request a quote and get a £500 discount off your final bill’, or for patients with lower BMI’s they may offer lower prices.  With private health care some clinics offer payment plans for you to afford the procedure; you can even get 0% interest on some plans if you pay within a specific time frame. It is best to shop around when looking into private health care, and if necessary you can attend as many free consultations as you feel necessary, and then choose whichever clinic you feel  most comfortable using.

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