Having your hip replacement abroad

Hiya Jacqui

Lovely to hear that your husband is up and about and feeling fit.

This is the company I have been looking into so it's good to get this positive feedback. How long ago was your husband's operation ?

I am fed up of waiting for my op, so thought that I would look to travel, my friend is coming with me but she is a little nervous of being on her own in a foreign country in between visiting, how did you find the 'waiting' around time ?

Hi Elizabeth,

My hubby had his op done in January this year.

When we arrived in the Czech Republic, we were picked up at the airport and we took Ron straight to the hospital and got him settled in.

I was then taken to the hotel and checked in and got unpacked.

i was picked up every morning by one of the hospital drivers and taken to see Ron and i spent most of the day at the hospital with him. .. I never felt unsafe at all.

Ron and I both had a 24 hour number to ring in case we needed anything at all.

Every day when i visited Ron - I had my lunch with him and my dinner.

The food was amazing. it was all brought from a top restaurant close to the hospital - so we could order from a full a la carte menu every day (no horrible hospital food there!!)

Once Ron had his op - he was quite busy with his physio as he had 2 hours a day - one hour in the morning and one in the afternoon... so, i used some of the spare time to see the city and the local sights around the hotel.

He then joined me at the hotel after 8 nights in hospital and we had a further 6 nights in the hotel together.

We were given a DVD player in the hospital room and also in the hotel room - so we could watch plenty of films which passed a lot of time on.

Once Ron was mobile we used to go for some small walks, and a coffee at the main square area - soaking up the local life.

Towards the end of the stay... It started to feel a bit more like a little holiday (despite Ron still recuperating).. and we had a really good time. :0)

Hi Jacqui

I discussed your reply with my friend last night and she is definitely coming with me so that has made me feel much better.

Thank you so much for the feedback you have helped me make a life changing decision, I completed the online application last night with Operations Abroad Worldwide so I will let you know how I get on.

take care

Lizzy

Hi Jacqui

Just wanted to let you know that Operations Abroad Worldwide have got back to me and are arranging the operation for late September when my husband has leave from work.

Everything you told me is spot on, they have been so considerate and understanding, can't believe that I actually feel 'excited' about it rather than really anxious, feel like it's a mini adventure. !!

Lizzy

Hi Lizzy,

Excellent news that you have got everything sorted with Operations Abroad.

I am certain you will be looked after really well and you will feel so well looked after.... no need to be worrying or anxious about anything.

Enjoy the adventure :0)

That's amazing. I have been quoted £9000 for an op in this country. My worry would be what happens if any thing goes wrong? Will the NHS turn its back on you? Also how long did you have to wait to go to the Czech Republic?

Hi Moira

the company we booked with arrange a unique insurance policy which covers you as you are travelling abroad for surgery.

it covers all the usual travel insurance aspects, but also gives you cover in case your recovery period had to be extended for longer than planned - it covers any costs for further medical treatment and further hotel or hospital costs.

the best part is that it also has cover for a 12 month period - so if you are back in the UK and experiencing any problems it covers any costs associated with getting the problems resolved.

i don't think even private hospitals in the UK offer this sort of cover.

this also means that you wouldn't have to go back to the NHS.

but saying that if you did have any urgent problems then the NHS would treat you as any normal patient would be treated.

i don't think there was any waiting list when we booked.

it took about 7 days for all the paperwork to be finalised and i think we travelled about 12 days after first making our enquiry - so it was a really quick and painless process.

of course we were both a bit nervous but the lady who arranged everything at operations abroad was so helpful and really made us feel at ease.

hope that helps...

Thank you so much for your very full reply. My friends think I am completely mad thinking of going abroad to a third world country for this kind of op.

Hi Moira

i know.. many of my friends thought the same and were saying "well i wonder what the hospital will be like".. and "will it be safe".. and "will they speak english"...

i am really happy to say that all their worried thoughts were totally wrong.. as the standards at the hospital were simply amazing.

I have never seen a private hospital in the UK as nice or high quality as the one we went to in Czech... and the way the staff treated us was amazing.. we were so cared for and nothing was too much trouble. they were the nicest doctors and nurses we have ever met... even the CEO of the hospital, came to see us and welcome us to the hospital and before we left, came to say goodbye which we thought was lovely.

Hi Jacqui,

Thanks for that. Have you heard of anyone who had problems with their op there?

Think I will limp on till the end of the year and by that time I will have seen someone through the N H S. andSee how long after that I will have to wait.

Moira

Hi Moira

I haven't heard of anyone having problems with their op there.. and i would be really surprised if i did hear that.

good luck with the NHS.. i hope you won't face too long a wait. :0)

i know in our area - they seem to have a standard protocol - delay the operation using pain injections - and then after that hasn't worked - then you might get put on the waiting list.

a friend of mine has been waiting over 5 years!

anyways good luck and if you need any advice about going abroad feel free to message me any time

Jacqui

Thanks. I have been on prescription pain killers for over 18 months and it is getting worse by the day! Maybe will have to do something sooner rather than later.

Hi Moira

Just received a phone call to confirm that we fly on the 25th September, I can't believe how quick and efficiently everything has been sorted. I even spoke to the consultant yesterday which helped me make my final decision.

What's the point in waiting and suffering any longer than you have to ?

I'll update you when we get home.

Lizzy xx

Hi  im james i live in galway ireland  im delighted you both had satisfaction in prague i have great pain and would like to have my hip done could you please give me the name of the clinic im aged 72 forgive , and . full stops thank you