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Can
I get treatment on the NHS?
Yes. You will not be able
to choose where and when you can have surgery
and you may find that the advantages of
private medicine (shorter waiting list for
treatment, more one to one contact with
the surgeon) will not be available to you.
How much does private
treatment cost?
The
total cost of treatment will cover the cost
of the hospital, surgeon and anaesthetist
but will vary considerably depending on
your condition and the treatment you require.
To ensure you are correctly advised you
to do the following:
- see your GP. You will need a referral
from your GP for your health insurance.
- contact your health insurance company
for authorisation for a consultation.
- contact the hospital in question to
make an appointment to see Mr Clarke.
- you will see Mr Clarke for a diagnosis
and an assessment of your treatment and
needs
Do I need a referral
to see Mr Clarke?
Yes. All treatment will begin with a referral
from your GP. This has been defined as ‘good
practice’ by the GMC (General Medical
Council) and your insurance company will
insist on it.
What are the advantages
of laparoscopic surgery compared with open
surgery?
Laparoscopic surgery is performed by making
small incisions near the part of the anatomy
where surgery is required. It follows that:
• there is less pain and recovery
is quicker
• because there is less pain there
is less need for pain medication
• a quicker recovery means a shorter
stay in hospital
• smaller incisions means there is
less risk of infection.
Read our FAQs
on laparoscopic surgery for more information
How long will I
be in hospital and off work?
Clearly the length of your stay in hospital
will depend on your condition and the treatment
it requires. Most patients leave hospital
on the same day they are admitted. Other
factors may be significant:
- the condition geing treated.
- the treatment required.
- the patient's age.
- whether the patient has any coexisting
conditions
In such instances 1 to 5 days in hospital
may be appropriate. When the patient will
be able to get back to work will depend
on the extent of the procedure and the surgeon
will give advise in each individual case.
How successful is
the surgery likely to be?
All surgery involves risks to the patient
but success rates for laparoscopic surgery
are very high.
What lifestyle changes
will be involved?
To all intents and purposes you will find
that in a short time after laparoscopic
surgery has been carried out that you will
be able to return to a normal lifestyle.
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