private TAVI operation

[Boharford]

hi

Not imminent but I have been told I will need an aortic valve replacement. I was wondering if anyone had this done privately by the TA? I am looking for an idea of the cost of the procedure

Thanks

[Ageingfast]

dear Boharford

I think you should first get an opinion whether TAVi or OHS would suit your needs.

Sometimes a TAVi does not succeed and the surgeons will then do OHS.

I paid privately for my choice of OHS, four years ago, and the cost was £43,000.

I was very very happy with the op and the brilliant staff and surgeons. Four months of recovery at home but then I was fit and well.

A problem with private treatment is that extras seem to occur after the event. In my case the anaesthetist hadn’t been paid.

Whichever you opt for, you might be happy with NHS. The wards for OHS are often very good.

Sooty

[Taviterry in reply to Ageingfast]

In July 2023 I paid £42k for a TAVI at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford after delays at another hospital in London that the NHS had suggested for the op - and it told me that when I was allocated a date I would have to ring up after midday on the day to see if there was a bed available! My at-home support that we're all meant to have for a few days afterwards was only conveniently available for a certain period, so apart from anything else, I didn't want to mess them around. And it was the time of the junior doctors' series of strikes -in fact one started on my day of admission. Three weeks later the surgeon checked me over; his fee was £160, but I paid £420 for an ECG and £110 for "reporting", whatever that was. I gather that this is a very high charge for an ECG.

In September I started to feel very tired, so that was another £690 for a check-up.

A couple of years earlier, a neighbour of mine had a TAVI for £60k at an outer-London hospital, which was paid for out of his insurance.

During my NHS tests and diagnoses, I asked the consultant what his fee would be for a private operation; he said £75k!!! Why £33k more? I think I may be forgiven for feeling that I was being exploited.

I asked what would happen if I needed further treatment, such as having a pacemaker fitted, and was told that would be done through the NHS.

[Ageingfast in reply to Taviterry]

Thats terrible. I had the open heart surgery, got fantastic care, and I had the three post op tests included. The Cromwell is the ultimate in luxury, although I was very much on the peasants end of the place ! And I got possibly the best surgeon in the country. I think i was very lucky.

JR had a very good name some decades ago. Shame it has gone downhill. It was covid lockdown so there was minimal face to face after care, but the ward nurses rang every fortnight for three months.

I think I was very very lucky.

Sooty

[Summerlavender]

Hi, I had private OHS at Bart’s in London May 2024 and the total cost was around 44k ish I think? It was hard to get prices from them and although “inclusive” a couple of things weren’t included like one test out of a few that were done before and and one of the post op echos. I was in for 7 days , home for one then back again for one night (a fib). Seeing the cardiologist for an initial appointment was £300 I think, it’s a really fantastic new hospital (attached to Bart’s) that’s only been opened recently, best of luck 🙂