Photo: Unsplash.com
First of all, let us make it clear that vertical sleeve gastrectomy is the same as gastric sleeve surgery. A dear child has many names, as the Swedes tend to say.
Now, with the more complicated term off the table, let us tackle the other burning questions. How to get a gastric sleeve surgery? Where to even begin if you think you need one? How much does vertical sleeve gastrectomy cost?
The few first steps towards gastric sleeve surgery
While there is a certain BMI for gastric sleeve, people’s bodies are different, what with height, muscle mass etc, so it is best to consult your GP first and see what they advise.
If they do advise a bariatric surgery, consider whether signing up for NHS provided operation is something you have the mental energy and time to wait for, because it will be a long wait even before you learn whether you can or cannot have the surgery.
The third step would be looking around and about different bariatric clinics, both in the UK and abroad. Fair warning, though – the cost of bariatric surgeries in the private sector in the UK is very high and not too many people can afford it.
Cost of a gastric sleeve surgery in the UK
Gastric sleeve surgery’s cost in the UK falls between £9000-12000, depending on the clinic and its location. That is not the amount of money most people have readily at hand. And while it would be wonderful to stay in your home country, the cost-induced unavailability makes thousands of people opt for medical tourism.
How much does vertical sleeve gastrectomy cost in EU?
Once again, it varies. When looking at countries like France or Switzerland, both which have excellent bariatric clinics available, the prices match those in the UK. However, if one turns their gaze towards Eastern Europe – Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia etc, the picture changes and chances look a lot brighter.
Gastric sleeve in Latvia
Latvia, a small Baltic country that belongs to the EU, is a living blooming proof that you do not need to be big, or wealthy, or operate people 24/7 (something that tends to happen in Turkey, for example) to be the most prominent bariatric surgery option in Eastern Europe and soon enough, in the entire Europe.
So, how much does vertical sleeve gastrectomy cost in Latvia?
Our Weight Loss Riga clinic is the biggest in Eastern Europe, currently in process of obtaining the International Bariatric Centre of Excellence to start teaching other bariatric professionals from all over the world. And in WLR, any all-inclusive package costs merely £4980
So, as you can clearly see, gastric sleeve’s cost does not necessarily have to be unreachable, there are brilliant options not so far from home, and in our case, but 2.5 h flight away. We also help you with any questions and concerns from the very start and stay with you for years to come!
