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While we are not into a full-blown economic crisis (yet), it is a sad fact that all prices, especially those that touch us the most, keep rising. This includes household bills, food, and also any medical services not provided (or not sufficiently provided) by NHS.
And with those very same NHS lines for bariatric surgeries, being the notorious Tier 4 service, weight loss surgery is scarcer than ever. Meanwhile, in a private area, gastric sleeve surgery price in the UK, along with any other bariatric surgery, is on a rise, making the already very expensive procedures even more inaccessible.
Current gastric sleeve surgery price in the UK
Gastric sleeve surgery costs in private clinics falls between £8000-13 000, with the clinics in Scotland usually reaching the upper end.
As to how much a gastric sleeve will cost next year, or the year after, we cannot say at this point, but in light of the current economic curve, they will probably be 15-20% higher.
Gastric sleeve on NHS
It is worth mentioning that the rise of the gastric sleeve surgery price in the UK affects not just the private medical sphere but also NHS. With everything more costly and the funds already scarce and lines long, the future does not look bright for bariatric surgery on NHS, even though they and the NICE struggle to cater to the ever-growing need for these life-saving procedures.
Gastric sleeve abroad
So, how much is gastric sleeve surgery currently abroad and where should one head when the UK is no longer an option, be it due to the long wait or the unaffordable prices?
The cost of a gastric sleeve, the most sought-after yet priciest surgery in some of the most relevant countries is as follows (the + means that the price is inconclusive and there will be extra charges):
- Turkey, £3500+
- Belgium, £6000+
- Poland, £3600+
- Latvia, £5500
- Latvia, Weight Loss Riga £4980
Note that most of these prices will be rising, too, due to the all-European economical struggle that does not show a decline in at least next two years.
Gastric sleeve in Latvia
So, while gastric sleeve surgery price in the UK reaches the height of £13 000, in Latvia, the new hub of medical tourism, gastric sleeve cost is less than half of that– or half, if you wish to include a comfortable and short flight to Riga and back home in the bundle.
This is possible due to:
- the level of an economy, and the lower cost of living in the destination country.
- Lower expenses for office rental and staff, maintaining the clinic, and salaries
- Benefits from EU programs
- Medical tourism packages help save money for both you and the clinic.
Fortunately, the high and growing gastric sleeve surgery price in the UK is not the end. In Weight Loss Riga, we hope to give in to the recession as little as possible and keep our prices inclusive and affordable. Any questions - do not hesitate to reach out to us!
