Alright dude,
been reading this thread with interest as I am once again in your shoes really!!!
You mentioned you didn't know whether you wanted to go NHS, but a great many surgeons on the NHS also have private practises, so the skill of the surgeon doesn't really change from the two - and in fact I think I'd prefer to have an NHS only - they're more strictly monitored for perfomance i would guess, but I think its the ATTITUDE of the NHS that can suck. After my 1st op, my GP said that I should have come to see him first and he would have firmly advised not to go for any surgery (a view that has been echoed by other posters about the NHS) - not exactly the hopeful proposition I would have wanted after approx 16 years of torment for having jugs.
I dont think it can hurt to go see the NHS surgeon and check his credentials / experience and optimism for your situation. However if after also getting feedback from people etc that these Polish guys can whip up a storm, but for money, then I wouldn't really factor the money side into the equation. Its the quality of the results that should be the ONLY factor in my opinion. I'd gladly trade my last 5 years for a reliable surgeon that cost the earth!!! But that's just my opinion.
For now, I read on with interest in your case and others, to gain info also. Good luck.
By the way, who is the NHS surgeon that you may be seeing / ringing?
Cheers!