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Gastric Balloon Surgery Cost in the UK
What is a Gastric Balloon?
The Gastric Balloon is a non-surgical approach to weight loss which allows the patient to experience a period of rapid weight loss. The Gastric Balloon procedure involves a silicone balloon being inserted into the stomach which is subsequently filled with sterile saline solution. This balloon will essentially reduce a patients' intake of food by partially filling the stomach. This means that the patient will start to feel fuller quicker and, with the help of a specifically tailored diet regime, manage to alter their eating habits to keep their weight off.
Generally most patients who have a Gastric Balloon will have it in place for 6 months, this is considered a sufficient amount of time in order for one to grasp the concept of new healthy dietary, and lifestyle changes.
The Cost of Gastric Balloon Surgery in the UK
The gastric balloon procedure in the UK can cost anything in the region of £2,000 to £4,500 and UK clinics have even been know to charge up to £5,000, around the same cost of a gastric band.
Various weight loss forums also have members confirming that they have paid as little as £2,000 for a Gastric Balloon here in the UK, which would confirm that 'personal quotations' are in fact existent. However these same people never refer to actual clinics in which they had the balloon fitted and so it is worth comparing a range of different quotes from a variety of clinics to find the most appropriate weight loss surgery option to suit your specific requirements.
It seems different clinics charge different prices. Of course you may pay more money if you decide to have your surgery performed at a highly reputable and high end clinic in Central London, than you would in a less prestigious clinic in the North of England.
Financing Options for Gastric Balloon Surgery
Many private clinics will now offer patients who are considering undergoing Gastric Balloon surgery the option of taking out a 0% interest loan to help fund the procedure. Typically this will offer the patient of being able to pay for the surgery and pay off the amount owed over a pre-agreed term (usually around 10-12 months) without incurring interest on their loan.
There may also be the option for patients to receive surgery funded through the NHS however this is only available in specific circumstances where the patient is considered clinically obese and has a BMI of 40 or over. Alternatively it is also available to those with a BMI of 35 and over and suffering from a medical condition such as type 2 diabetes.
Big Results
With the promise of potentially losing up to 5 stones in as little as 6 months, it isn't any wonder why patients are prepared to pay thousands of pounds for the gastric balloon.
Some critics may argue that undergoing such a relatively serious surgical procedure it is in fact an absolute waste of money, for once the Gastric Balloon is removed, there is still a very realistic possibility that the patient will regain the weight as a result of returning to their old diet and lifestyle. This may well be a valid point with reports of patients having a subsequent balloon fitted just months after having their initial balloon removed. If you look at it like that, assuming you had two balloons fitted in any 18 month period for instance, on average that would cost approximately £6,000. However, some may still argue that the price is indeed satisfactory for the dramatic and impressive short term results that the balloon provides.