Gallbladder removal surgery in private clinic abroad for NHS patients

Gallbladder removal surgery in a private clinic abroad for NHS patients without NHS waiting lists. You can choose to have it done abroad if you do not wish to wait in the NHS queue.

Surgery is performed using general anaesthesia, so you won’t be aware during the treatment abroad. Once the drugs take effect, your private health care team will insert a tube down your throat to help you breathe. Your surgeon then performs the gallstone removal surgery using either a laparoscopic or open surgery. Gallstone removal surgery abroad can save money and jump the NHS waiting list.

Minimally invasive (laparoscopic) gallbladder removal surgery abroad

Gallbladder removal surgery in private clinic abroad for NHS patients

During a laparoscopic treatment abroad, the specialised surgeon makes four small incisions in your abdomen. The surgeon through one of the incisions will insert the tube with a tiny video camera into your abdomen. Your surgeon watches a video monitor in the operating room while using surgical tools inserted through the other incisions in your abdomen to remove your gallbladder. Often you will be able to go home the same day, though sometimes a one-night stay in the hospital could be recommended. You will be able to go home once you’re able to eat and drink without pain and walk unaided. It takes about a week to fully recover. Laparoscopic treatment isn’t appropriate for everyone. In some cases, your surgeon may begin with a laparoscopic approach and find it necessary to make a larger incision because of scar tissue from previous operations or complications.

Traditional (open) gallbladder removal surgery abroad:

During an open gallbladder removal surgery, your private surgeon makes a 6-inch (15-centimetre) incision in your abdomen below your ribs on your right side. As next step surgeon will pull back the muscle and tissue to reveal your liver and gallstone. Your surgeon then removes the gallstone. Expect to spend two or three days in the hospital recovering. Once at home, it may take four to six weeks to fully recover. As the final step, the doctor will suture incision and you’re taken to a recovery area. Open surgery takes one or two hours.

Why chose to have gallbladder removal surgery abroad

There are more than one reasons depending on diagnose, required treatment, costs and others, these reasons include:

  • Costs of surgery – gallstone removal surgery abroad is starting from £800.
  • No waiting lists – the NHS is having long waiting lists for gallstone surgery, but by travelling you can get treatment significantly sooner. And in some cases get a refund for surgery abroad.

Gallstone and gallbladder removal surgery is covered by the NHS and can be refunded. Treatment abroad could be an alternative you can afford.

GUIDE FOR NHS FUNDED TREATMENT IN EUROPE