Ever considered..?

[brad_titt]

 Has anyone considered going to the U.S. for treatment with one of the specialists (from the other boards names like Bermant, Delgado, and Jacobs come up a lot)?

 I am giving this a bit of thought after going on Dr Bermant's website, and seeing the relatively low surgeons fee that he charges. Does anyone know a rough figure for what you might pay all told with him (and the others)?

 It seems to me that there are a couple of names in the U.K. but consistency and price seem to be issues. I am thinking Benito atm (I aim to have the op. in early-mid 2009) but these yanks have great track records and it seems that gynecomastia for a couple of them is a true specialty.

 What do you think?

[jmxt2]

yep im looking into bermant. poland was my first option but there has been too much negative feedback recently. From what i can see he knows his stuff and his results look good.

I was actually working most of it out the other day and came to a total of

$ 52.00 x5 hotel++
Taxis 100
Op $2800     $4000max         (3200 dollars)
Plane 600pounds     (1000 pounds)
Food 50pounds
Room hire 400pounds?

Total max of 5100 dollars

      
2,578.85 guess amount

Max amount  3000pounds

my working out  may not make sense but im thinking a maximum of about 3000 pounds. i have a minor case however

[gynebegone2]

I'm pretty sure its closer to 5-6k (USD) with Bermant, are you forgetting anesthesia etc?  I'm not for sure, but I thought that was the figure I got when I was looking at my options (decided to go somewhere else to avoid the hassle of travel).

[brad_titt]

yep im looking into bermant. poland was my first option but there has been too much negative feedback recently. From what i can see he knows his stuff and his results look good.

I was actually working most of it out the other day and came to a total of

$ 52.00 x5 hotel++
Taxis 100
Op $2800     $4000max         (3200 dollars)
Plane 600pounds     (1000 pounds)
Food 50pounds
Room hire 400pounds?

Total max of 5100 dollars

      
2,578.85 guess amount

Max amount  3000pounds

my working out  may not make sense but im thinking a maximum of about 3000 pounds. i have a minor case however

 yeah the 2800 quoted on the website is just for the good doctor's fee. anaesthetist and operating room charges apply, so it's likely to be a fair bit more than that. does anyone have any idea of how much this might be?

[Blue2]

I've just had my op with Karidis in London at a total cost of £4521. This included the initial consultation at £75.00, the procedure at £2700, hospital fees of £1400, hotel accommodation the night before procedure at £109.00 (Karidis gets discounted rates in local hotel!), bloods at £125.00, return train fair to London £62.00, taxis etc. £50.00. So all in all not bad, and at least he is only a 2 1/2 hour train ride away should there be any issues during recovery! Follow up consultation is included and also 2 pressure garments, plus food and drinks at the hospital, which was actually very good!

As for his suitability as a surgeon? Time will tell, but so far I have experienced minimal pain and discomfort and providing I follow Karidis' post op guide lines, he sees no reason that I should need any revision surgery later on (fingers crossed). Karidis has done between 500 - 600 male chest reduction surgeries so has loads of experience.

The whole experience was very comfortable and all staff, including the man himself, were very friendly and really I couldn't have asked for much more. As I say, this is my personal experience and it is VERY early days after my op, but so far so good.

[brad_titt]

I've just had my op with Karidis in London at a total cost of £4521. This included the initial consultation at £75.00, the procedure at £2700, hospital fees of £1400, hotel accommodation the night before procedure at £109.00 (Karidis gets discounted rates in local hotel!), bloods at £125.00, return train fair to London £62.00, taxis etc. £50.00. So all in all not bad, and at least he is only a 2 1/2 hour train ride away should there be any issues during recovery! Follow up consultation is included and also 2 pressure garments, plus food and drinks at the hospital, which was actually very good!

As for his suitability as a surgeon? Time will tell, but so far I have experienced minimal pain and discomfort and providing I follow Karidis' post op guide lines, he sees no reason that I should need any revision surgery later on (fingers crossed). Karidis has done between 500 - 600 male chest reduction surgeries so has loads of experience.

The whole experience was very comfortable and all staff, including the man himself, were very friendly and really I couldn't have asked for much more. As I say, this is my personal experience and it is VERY early days after my op, but so far so good.

 Is that you, Dr. Karidis? 

[Blue2]

No no!  It is definately me, Blue2 from Liverpool!!!! Just thought the details would be interesting for anyone considering going with him. 

[PaulSW]

I too looked at the US because they seemed to be specialists and the photos looked good after the surgery.

When I asked for a detailed quote (don't be afraid to so as the Americans are good at this) all in it came to $5600 for the procedure minus any travel or extra accommodation.

The thing that put me off was if anything went wrong you would have to cover all those costs and in America that could be very expensive. As someone here once wrote in Spain with Benito at least if you had to go into intensive care you could use the visa waver form.

[barclay]

good excuse for a holiday to america though 

but what would put me off, like someone said is any problems arising. I had internal bleeding 3 days after i was released and was readmitted straight away (nhs) if this was in america it would have cost me? (tell me if im wrong, i think this is how the american system works)

[DrBermant]

yep im looking into bermant. poland was my first option but there has been too much negative feedback recently. From what i can see he knows his stuff and his results look good.

I was actually working most of it out the other day and came to a total of

$ 52.00 x5 hotel++
Taxis 100
Op $2800     $4000max         (3200 dollars)
Plane 600pounds     (1000 pounds)
Food 50pounds
Room hire 400pounds?

Total max of 5100 dollars

      
2,578.85 guess amount

Max amount  3000pounds

my working out  may not make sense but im thinking a maximum of about 3000 pounds. i have a minor case however

We see many Patients with Gynecomastia from the UK who prefer my techniques and on that link you can read some of their experiences.

The actual cost of surgery depends on the problem to be treated.  Jane is my office manager and can better discuss typical fees, costs, and prices.  She can normally be reached at our office by phone Monday - Friday 9-5 Eastern Time at 001 804 748-7737.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia and Chest Sculpture

[barclay]

what would happen in the case of complications within the few days following the operation, such as bleeding or infection?

In the uk you would be readmitted free if you go via the nhs, and i believe its also part of the package for private care too, although any nhs hospital would take you in in case of emergencies if you were unable to get back to the private hospital. Could you possibly clarify how it would work in the united states

thanks

[DrBermant]

what would happen in the case of complications within the few days following the operation, such as bleeding or infection?

In the uk you would be readmitted free if you go via the nhs, and i believe its also part of the package for private care too, although any nhs hospital would take you in in case of emergencies if you were unable to get back to the private hospital. Could you possibly clarify how it would work in the united states

thanks

We work hard to minimize the chance of complications for our patients.  It is rare for us to need to do something after surgery.  If a patient develops a hematoma, which happens once every few years, I typically am able to put the drain in my office Operating Room at no additional charge to the patient.  Most of my UK patients are back home either the second day after surgery or after dressing removal at day 6 post op.  None have needed help for complications, but my guess is that if they needed something after returning home, they would still be able to use the UK health system if they preferred.  However, complications are the risk of any operation.

Your question is like taking a vacation.  Vacationing at home has less risk.  If you got sick or hurt abroad, you also would not be able to use the UK health system.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia and Chest Sculpture

[Blue2]

Your question is like taking a vacation.  Vacationing at home has less risk.  If you got sick or hurt abroad, you also would not be able to use the UK health system.

Good point!

[PaulSW]

A great answer but when i take a holiday my insurance covers any illness or injury (I can even Bungy Jump) but my policy specifically excludes any type of elective surgery and resultant complications.

[brad_titt]

 Hmm...how does it work in the E.U. then?