Private healthcare costs for diabetics can vary depending on the form of treatment. Most services will quote you fixed costs for a procedure, which will include aftercare appointments.

You will find that having diabetes doesn’t often affect the price with most forms of surgery however this is something you will have to ask your healthcare provider.

The only problems you could face from being diabetic is that depending on the severity of your condition or being less able to heal, it could affect whether a consultant chooses to operate.

Retinopathy laser treatment

The condition is due to damage to the retina at the back of the eye which allows us to see and can affect anyone who has diabetes. It often impairs vision and commonly causes blindness. Forms of laser treatment can often resolve this.

Consultations are normally free in order to see if you are eligible and can range from £400 to £1,000 per eye, depending on the healthcare provider.

Lower limb amputation

For diabetics, lower limb amputation is serious threat as the condition can cause blood vessels to narrow in the legs or feet, causing poor blood circulation.

As a diabetic, healing becomes very difficult and can result in the removal of a limb.

The procedure could cost in the region of £10,000 however it may be possible to find healthcare providers who will do it at a lower price.

Kidney dialysis treatment

Kidney dialysis is a treatment that helps remove excess waste and water from the blood when a person’s kidneys are failing. It is a result of small blood vessels becoming damaged, often a result of poor glucose control and high blood pressure.

A kidney transplant may be more cost effective but hard to get hold of, at around £20,000, following up with further treatment costs. The dialysis itself works out at an estimate of around £30,000 a year but could be higher or lower depending on your healthcare provider and whether you are being treated at home.

Bariatric Surgery

Weight loss surgery may be available on the NHS but waiting lists can be significantly shorter going privately.

To have weight loss surgery, you will need to meet the suitability requirements laid out by NICE, however, the suitability requirements may often be less restrictive for private care than on the NHS, as some NHS regions may not have enough money to provide the operation to such a wide range of patients.

Gastric bands

The gastric band (know as a lap band) is a silicon bracelet that sits at the top of the stomach to restrict the amount of food consumed. It is intended to be a permanent solution however can be surgically removed if difficulties arise.

In terms of cost for this one, you will be looking at around £6,000 and may include up to twelve months aftercare. If a patient requires additional care, another twelve months can often be purchased for around £500. Be warned that reversals will often cost the same price as the installation.

Gastric balloons

These are a cheaper option as open surgery is not always necessary. The procedure involves placing a balloon filled with either air or saline, into the stomach, in order to reduce the intake of food It is meant to be temporary fitting so the patient can break bad habits before having it removed.

The procedure is around £4,000 and includes up to six months aftercare with many providers. Once again it may be possible to purchase additional care however this won’t often be necessary, as the balloon is normally removed after a short period.

Sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass

The sleeve gastrectomy shuts off most of the stomach and is reversible whereas the gastric bypass also closes a portion of the small intestine. The gastric bypass is irreversible and often used on the most obese of patients.

Both are expensive as they work out around £10,000 which includes aftercare. If a patient decides to reverse a sleeve gastrectomy, they will pay an additional £10,000 for its removal.

Endobarrier

An Endorbarrier is similar to the gastric balloon and bypass as it involves a plastic sleeve that goes through the mouth and into the patient’s stomach.

It doesn’t require any incisions and provides the lower rate of digestion alike that of the bypass.

A patient is looking at around £3,000 for this type of procedure. It would be assumed that aftercare costs are included but this would have to be checked.

Extra charges may exist for a BMI over 50

All the bariatric surgeries could cost you an extra £1,000 and possibly more with certain healthcare schemes. This will only be the case if your body mass index is over 50

These costs are all guidelines of what to expect and may differ slightly depending on the provider.

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