Why are so many people choosing to go abroad for procedures instead of staying in the UK?
Posted by Thehappylatif@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 50 comments
Why are so many people choosing to go abroad for procedures instead of staying in the UK?
I’ve been noticing this more and more recently.
Whenever people talk about certain procedures, going abroad seems to come up a lot.
Is it mainly about cost?
Or are there other factors like experience, volume, or overall process that make a difference?
Curious to hear from people in the UK who’ve either done it or seriously considered it.
AskUK-ModTeam@reddit
Your post from /r/AskUK has been removed by a human moderator.
AI generated questions and responses that are not attributed as such are not permitted.
Only humans are permitted to participate on AskUK.
If you believe this post should not have been removed, first read our rules before messaging the moderators. See our guide on common issues with posts and how to overcome them!
Party-Werewolf-4888@reddit
I had bariatric surgery in the UK 3 years ago. I paid £10k whilst my travelling counterparts seemed to be paying £3-4k? So I see why people would do it.
marianorajoy@reddit
Bariatric Surgery is absolutely something I will NOT be doing abroad, unless it's in the USA, which is likely to even cost more.
Completely get the point on other conditions such as heart etc. But bariatric Surgery can kill you if not done properly
Party-Werewolf-4888@reddit
Ultimately thats why I had it in the UK, my husband (who is a very placid person) absolutely put his foot down and told me I would not be going abroad. Think its the only time in a 20+ Yr marriage where he has told me what I cant do 🤣
I always say though, in hindsight I do feel that my UK surgeon wasnt the most professional. I was speaking with a clinic in Turkey and (as my weight gain had been very rapid following a hysterectomy) the Turkish surgeon actually said he wouldnt feel comfortable doing the surgery and he would prefer I waited 12 months in case my hormones would sort themselves out and I lose weight naturally. The UK surgeon just took my money, promised me after care sessions and a full programme of support which I never got. Practically faked a psychological evaluation. He performed the surgery 2 weeks after an NHS procedure which I also had a general anaesthetic for, my NHS gynae was hugely shocked he had approved a second general for a non-emergency procedure so soon after that one. And from paying for the surgery to having it, id naturally lost 2st due to a change in medication, so it seems the Turkish surgeon may have been right all along and id have lost weight naturally 🤣
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
That’s a huge difference can see why people consider going abroad.
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
Curious if people see it more as a cost decision or a quality/experience one?
Jayatthemoment@reddit
It’s also about feeling safe and comfortable. My kids weren’t brought up in Britain and it’s hard for them to operate in another language when they feel vulnerable. If it’s elective stuff or checkups or routine dental, we take them to a private international hospital in Shanghai. Anything serious/skeletal (thank goodness it’s not been needed), I’d get my husband to look for a good local doctor in the public system as that’s where they tend to be.
We pay taxes and the nhs surcharge for the kids and my husband but we don’t really use it — it’s just for A&E if we need it.
Icy_Mixture1482@reddit
Both! I’m a UK citizen resident in a first world East Asian country. It’s both cheaper here and I can be seen on the same day as I decide to see a doctor.
The alternative is fly 6000 miles to the UK and get put on a six month waiting list for a poorer experience.
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
That’s a big difference same day vs months of waiting.
Makes sense why people start comparing options more seriously.
Odd_Bug_7029@reddit
Not so much quality or experience, just time! Our NHS delivers excellent care....it's just slow, with waiting lists for just about everything
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
Yeah time seems to be a huge factor even if the care is good, waiting makes people look elsewhere.
teapigsfan@reddit
Honestly I think it comes down to what the procedure is.
Cosmetic? Then it's probably cost.
Medical? Might just be to get it seen to quicker, or get a second opinion.
I know someone with Lyme disease. Her issues started years ago and I don't think the NHS was as aware of it being in the UK as they ought to have been; it was still seen as an overseas disease. She was left undiagnosed for ages, as in years. Finally because she was having heart issues and neurological problems, I believe she visited a GP in Austria (her home country) and they eventually diagnosed her.
I visited a dentist when I was on holiday in Lanzarote. Tbh it was just because I knew it would be a bit cheaper and generally a nicer experience, because it was. I'm originally from the USA and have lived in several countries before settling here. Generally speaking, NHS dentists have older equipment and less time to spend with you than EU countries.
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
That’s a really good breakdown seems like it depends a lot on whether it’s cosmetic vs something more medical.
The “falling through the cracks” part is interesting too, hadn’t thought about it that way.
Repulsive_Work_226@reddit
Turk here. In Turkiye they offer you a package holiday with the procedure. Not cheap anymore.
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
that’s interesting so it’s more about the full package rather than just price now?
Procedure + accommodation + everything handled probably makes it easier for people.
Repulsive_Work_226@reddit
yes thats it. so you are in a holiday with the procedure in a way with a bit cheaper compared to the UK
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
Yeah that makes sense the convenience side probably plays a bigger role than people realise.
GlumAd9856@reddit
It's purely cost. They are much, much cheaper abroad.
kai_enby@reddit
For hair transplants it seems like the Turkish surgeons are cheaper and better than what you get in the UK, dental work and nose jobs it's 100% about costs
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
Yeah seems like cost is the main driver for most people.
Expensive_Profit_106@reddit
Cheap and you don’t have to wait months on ridiculous waiting lists
No-Calligrapher9934@reddit
Cost.
Extension-Worry2253@reddit
Cost plus the fact when it goes tits up (as it can) they get rectification work in the uk
WildTomato9@reddit
People are stabilised rather than rectified. For dentistry this may mean extractions and private care, for cosmetic surgery this is likely to salvage any flesh that hasn't rotted and again private care.
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/16/1/e109050
https://www.theperfectsmile.co.uk/news/will-the-nhs-pick-up-the-pieces-when-turkey-teeth-go-wrong
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
That’s interesting so some people are kind of mixing both systems
BTZ-25@reddit
I got my teeth done in Armenia\Colombia which is the medical district so to speak. I got a better quality product and a better service than I would have got in the UK. The dental surgeon was super efficient and had 4 gorgeous assistants all working in harmony. The work in the UK would have cost about 20k GBP. Over there it was 3k USD. I got to have a nice holiday and stay in a 5 star hotel. There is no way in this world I would go to Turkey for dental work.
azlan121@reddit
It's often cheaper to fly abroad for treatment than it would be to get the same thing done privately in the UK, and in many cases, you can build a little holiday into the bargain too (you're already paying for flights anyway so why not?)
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
Yeah once you factor everything in, it can end up being significantly cheaper
Front_Scholar9757@reddit
If you live in the UK, isnt it obvious?
If you need/ want something doing, why not make a holiday out of it and save a fortune?
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
Yeah when you put it like that, it’s pretty clear why people look elsewhere
bishibashi@reddit
Of course it’s just cost. Saying “ooh and I got a holiday” is just overjustification because people don’t like to admit it’s solely about the money. Getting a gastric bypass in Istanbul isn’t a delightful city break.
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
That’s a good point the “holiday” part probably just makes the decision easier
xDzerx@reddit
Probably time vs cost. You can go private over here but it'd cost a fortune. Might be cheaper private abroad I guess. Not done so myself tho.
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
Yeah feels like it’s always a trade-off between time and cost.
Filthy_Oily_Fanny@reddit
Especially if you’re freelance like me. 6 months off work for something like a knee wouldn’t be sensible when I could pay a months wages to get it done privately.
It’s not happened to me. It’s happened to colleagues though. It’s something you weigh up when the time comes or insure yourself for in the UK.
Aggravating_Speed665@reddit
I'll give you three god damm guesses.
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
😄 fair enough seems like most people are pointing to the same reason
HawaiianSnow_@reddit
Costs! And also places like Turkey for teeth and hair have some of the top specialists in what they do at this point.
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
Interesting so it’s not just cost, but also experience in certain areas.
znv142@reddit
Either cost or speed. I had a non-emergency hand injury and had to wait for months via the NHS to get it investigated.
Flew over to Bulgaria (my home country) and had it scanned the next day and offered options.
Don't get me wrong the NHS is AMAZING if you really ill, however getting an appointment or a procedure for something mundane needs fixing.
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
Yeah speed seems to be a big factor too, especially for non-emergency stuff.
Warm-Marsupial8912@reddit
price and no waiting list
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
Yeah waiting times probably play a bigger role than people expect.
Dazz316@reddit
Mainly cost. For a few very rich or desperate people, it's very very very very specialised and very very very expensive forms of medical care like surgery that only certain specialists can do. For most people, it's cheap teeth or similar.
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
Makes sense especially for things like teeth, where it’s expensive but not urgent.
Puzzleheaded-Web1519@reddit
I’ll smile to that! 😁
AbbreviationsCold161@reddit
Have had two procedures thst I paid for privately here: a couple of non-cancerous lumps which I could have lived with but they were a bit uncomfortable on my back and a little unsightly. The NHS refused to deal with them and the GP said they'd only make it worse. Went private in the UK and the guy was an artist - almost invisible and sorted.
And, a problem with my nose. The GP said to use a spray to clear it and wasn't interested (my expectations of my local GP are low, but they fail to even achieve that). The reality was a complex diagnosis around bone spurs, collapsed cartridge etc and my oxygen intake was low / quality of life weak.
Again private solved it.
Why didn't I go abroad? Would I go to some random place in Turkey or Cyprus or wherever to save a few grand with people putting me unser general anaesthetic etc? No friggin way - I'll go with the Dr's in a well regulated country, where you know the quality of care is high and if it goes wrong you can do something about it.
Thehappylatif@reddit (OP)
That’s fair for more complex procedures, trust and regulation probably matter a lot more than just cost.
Rasty_lv@reddit
Example. Its cheaper for me to go to my home country to do private dental stuff for multiple teeth, fly back than do it here in UK for one freaking tooth.. And quality would be the same, if not better.
AutoModerator@reddit
Please help keep AskUK welcoming!
When replying to submission/post please make genuine efforts to answer the question given. Please no jokes, judgements, etc. If a post is marked 'Serious Answers Only' you may receive a ban for violating this rule.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!
Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.