If patients had bariatric surgery (gastric band, laparoscopic sleeve gastromy, for example) privately or abroad, they need to return to the provider who performed this surgery for further follow-up. This is not a service the practice provides. We only offer this service for patients who received this surgery via the NHS services (at the specialist’s request).
Please see the letter we send to patients who request the surgery to provide follow-up after private bariatric surgery below.
Request for aftercare from GP following bariatric surgery
Grimethorpe Surgery
The Grimethorpe Centre
Acorn Way
Grimethorpe
Barnsley
S72 7NZ
Tel: 01226 716809
Website: grimethorpesurgery.nhs.uk
Dear
This letter is shared in response to your request for post-operative support from your GP following bariatric surgery you accessed privately. Aftercare for patients who have self-funded bariatric surgery is not routinely commissioned by South Yorkshire ICB within the NHS locally and is not available from Grimethorpe Surgery.
The post-operative support you have asked for requires specialist input that may be available from the provider that undertook your surgery or via an alternative self-funded route. Specialist NHS services provide this aftercare for patients who have undergone their bariatric surgery within the NHS.
If you had your bariatric surgery abroad
Government advice, NHS advice and some patient support groups’ advice on accessing treatment abroad, all advise that patients must be clear about how aftercare will be coordinated and provided after their surgery, and that patients may be responsible for costs of the aftercare and of possible return trips associated with aftercare. Patients who have paid for bariatric surgery abroad have a responsibility to review and plan for all points in the recommended Treatment Abroad checklist (https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/going-abroad-for-treatment/treatment-abroad-checklist/) and can choose to buy a standalone package of post-operative care through a UK independent sector provider, or other non-UK provider. It is important to understand how medical treatment abroad works and what risks are involved. If you do not follow correct procedures, you may have to pay the full costs of your treatment. You can find more information online here: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/going-abroad-for-treatment/going-abroad-for-medical-treatment/.
Please be reassured that NHS emergency services are available should any emergency treatment be required as a result of any issues arising from your bariatric surgery.
Yours Sincerely
Grimethorpe Surgery