Surgery Protection Cover
Arranged through Cosmetic Bliss
in conjunction with
The Bariatric and Metabolic Centre, Breclav Hospital
Surgery Cost Protection has been designed for our clients who travel to the Czech Republic for weight loss surgery procedures. It is intended to safeguard against extra expenses for the patient and address problems associated with cost overruns resulting from re-operations and/or unexpected extended stays in hospital as a result of complications or problems arising from the planned surgery which are beyond the control of the patient. The costs incurred for re-operations, care and treatment in these circumstances are normally the responsibility of the patient, and the surgery protection scheme is intended to help defray these costs.
What factors increase risk for surgery?
All surgery under General Anaesthesia carries a degree of risk. Patients who suffer from morbid obesity are more susceptible to distress and complications during anaesthesia than patients with a “normal” BMI, and Dr Cierny and his team are familiar and experienced in the care of obese patients during surgery. Generally, a Gastric Band surgery, being shorter and less invasive than a Sleeve Gastrectomy, carries a lower risk. However there are certain factors which increase the likelihood of peri- and post- operative complications in either surgery. Each of these factors increase risk, and if a patient falls into more than one category, then the risk increases further. The factors are as follows:
- Age over 50 years. As with most operative procedures, people older than 50 are known to be at higher risk during surgery
- BMI over 50. Those patients whose Body Mass Index is over 50 tend to be more at risk of peri-operative and post-operative complications. The risk can be reduced a little by attempting to lose 5-10 kg pre-operatively.
- Male Patients. Men are more likely than women to suffer from certain conditions that can increase surgical risk. These include diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome (also known as syndrome X or insulin resistance syndrome), a condition characterized by a group of risk factors including hypertension, high triglyceride levels, low HDL levels and high blood sugar levels after fasting.
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension). People with high blood pressure (hypertension) often suffer from heart disease and/or chronic blood vessel inflammation, both of which increase the odds of serious surgery-related complications.
- History of Pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs). People who have previously had a blood clot in their lungs (pulmonary embolism) or legs, or who are genetically at risk for developing blood clots are at elevated surgical risk. All patients, regardless of their risk for clotting, are prescribed blood-thinning medications during the course of their stay in the clinic.
- A history of breathing problems, pulmonary and bronchial disease, asthma or chronic bronchopulmonal obstructive syndrome. People who have suffered from these problems are more likely to encounter difficulties during or after surgery and present a higher risk for anaesthesia
- A previous open major abdominal surgery in the upper abdomen might also signal a higher probability of adhesions which would prolong the proceedure and make the operation technically more difficult.
If you fall into one of the higher risk groups Dr Cierny may well ask for additional medical reports and tests to be made available to him prior to making his decision on your approval for surgery.
Patients who are in High Risk categories usually require additional tests and treatments at the hospital, either before or after their surgery, which will generate additional costs. If you are regarded as a high risk patient, your medical questionnaire will be carefully assessed by the team at the hospital (together with any further medical information you are asked to provide) and we will indicate what these additional treatments and costs will consist of when providing your quotation.
What is included in the Scheme?
- The costs incurred due to any unplanned or unforeseen stay in Intensive Care following surgery
- The costs involved in any re-operation in Breclav Hospital necessitated by complications arising from the original planned surgery, should this prove medically necessary
- After release from Intensive Care or ITU to normal wards or clinic the costs incurred as a result of any additional stay in the hospital/clinic
- Treatment and medicine costs incurred in hospital for up to 14 weeks after surgery
- Maximum Payment in all circumstances is 150,000 Czech Koruna (£5,000) in total
What is not included?
- Where the patient chooses to stay longer in the hospital or rehabilitation facility than is deemed necessary by the supervising surgeons/physicians
- Any costs involved in travel/hotel arrangements within UK which have to be re-scheduled because of the extended stay in the Czech Republic
- This scheme is not available for patients who have a BMI (Body Mass Index) above 60
- This scheme is not available for patients over the age of 65 at the time of surgery
