I'm so happy toady I've weighed myself and managed to lose more weight than I expected in such a short time.

Before the surgery I had heared that you lose so much weight but till you don't have the surgery yourself in the back of your head you have doubts if it is going to work or not. As you have done so many diets and failed and gained more weight after the diets.

I'm from the UK and had my sleeve in Czech Republic through Cosmetic Bliss on the 24/03/2009 since then I have dropped 2 dress sizes and lost over 2 stones in weight and I'm jumping with JOY.

I would never ever ever ever use an agency such as this. My personal opinion only.

Why pay for a service that is not needed? Seems to be a huge waste of money.

I would want to work directly with the MD office. They already have transportation issues worked out, they come and get you themselves. I would want to work with the MD office before surgery to see what they are like. If they are uncooperative and difficult to reach before surgery when they are on their best behavior, what will they be like after surgery? It is in the person's best interest to see what the staff is life BEFORE surgery.

I'm pretty anal about research. I would never dream of trusting someone else to research a surgeon for me. I do that myself. I want to know information that I'll bet my bottom dollar an agency would not know. Some of these 3rd party agencies will sign up any doctor willing to contract with them. *I* do my *own* research.

My personal opinion, I think it is nothing short of playing with fire and at additional cost to go through these agencies.

People can go directly to the MD and save money, do their research, and feel much better about their decisions.

OK WASA I am now starting to get offended by you. This is the second time you have implied that I did no research and you seem to think there is an identical situation in the UK as there is in the USA.

May I ask how much your surgery cost? My surgery icluding flights, clinic, 1 night in a hotel came to just over $8,000 US at current exchange rates. I don't think this is a bad price at all and I have received support and advice from Cosmetic Bliss in the UK and continuing for the next year here in the UK.

I researched Dr Cierny via the Net and was impressed by the very positive feedback he got. He certainly has the experience in the number of procedures one would like to see. No one wants to be a guinea pig. I also found more info on forums like this, they are a great resource.

In fact I originally thought I would like a lap band but after reasearch on the Net decided that the VGS would be a far better bet. This is not a common op in the UK so I had to look abroad.

I don't know how much you have travelled WASA but Europe is not really much like North America. You basically have the choice of 2 languages to grasp, English and Spanish. Here we have many, many more and some of them are really difficult, Czech being in this catagory.

I appreciate the leg work Cosmetic Bliss have put in to get the procedures in place for travelling and support and I do not begrudge them the percentage they make to keep their business going. I am in business myself and understand value add etc.

Cosmetic Bliss only use one clinic and only Dr Cierny, they do not just hire any surgeon who will sign up to contract with them

I consider the whole package to be good, safe and value for money.

So your bottom dollar has gone as Deborah and Michael at Cosmetic Bliss *do* know the sort of info you say an agency would not know. They both have medical backgrounds and they participate in Dr Ciernys research and paper publications.

I think that will be my final words to you on this matter.

Hi girls, it's interesting I found this thread as I have been thinking about surgery with CB. The very few people I've spoken to online are very pleased with them and their surgery with mr cierny.

I'm just not sure if vsg is right for me and they only offer it or the band which is out. Thing is you can 'eat around' any surgery if you're determinded enough so maybe it's a chance I have to take.

Just need by passport!

Hi Lynn

I could not decide whether to have the band or the sleeve but when I looked into it more with the band you can have more complications after than with the sleeve, so I had the sleeve.

Which ever surgey you go for there will always be a way around it but what you got to remember this is a tool and you have to use the tool as you pay so much money to get this surgery in the 1st. place.

Anyway I used Cosmetice Bliss as in the Uk you cant go and find your own surgeons you will always have to go through a company. Cosmetic Bliss have 1 surgeon Dr Cierny who specialises in this area and him and his team were fantastic.

I had my surgery on the 24/03/2009 and from the start to return home they were brilliant. i would recommend them to anybody.

If you have any questions for me please don't hestitate to ask me any question.

Take care.

Rukhshandah

OK WASA I am now starting to get offended by you. This is the second time you have implied that I did no research and you seem to think there is an identical situation in the UK as there is in the USA.

May I ask how much your surgery cost? My surgery icluding flights, clinic, 1 night in a hotel came to just over $8,000 US at current exchange rates. I don't think this is a bad price at all and I have received support and advice from Cosmetic Bliss in the UK and continuing for the next year here in the UK.

I researched Dr Cierny via the Net and was impressed by the very positive feedback he got. He certainly has the experience in the number of procedures one would like to see. No one wants to be a guinea pig. I also found more info on forums like this, they are a great resource.

In fact I originally thought I would like a lap band but after reasearch on the Net decided that the VGS would be a far better bet. This is not a common op in the UK so I had to look abroad.

I don't know how much you have travelled WASA but Europe is not really much like North America. You basically have the choice of 2 languages to grasp, English and Spanish. Here we have many, many more and some of them are really difficult, Czech being in this catagory.

I appreciate the leg work Cosmetic Bliss have put in to get the procedures in place for travelling and support and I do not begrudge them the percentage they make to keep their business going. I am in business myself and understand value add etc.

Cosmetic Bliss only use one clinic and only Dr Cierny, they do not just hire any surgeon who will sign up to contract with them

I consider the whole package to be good, safe and value for money.

So your bottom dollar has gone as Deborah and Michael at Cosmetic Bliss *do* know the sort of info you say an agency would not know. They both have medical backgrounds and they participate in Dr Ciernys research and paper publications.

I think that will be my final words to you on this matter.

You are free to be just as offended as you wish. That is your choice. I never claimed you did not do your research, I was quite clear and specific by explaining a 3rd party is not needed in choosing a surgeon. You do your research, pick a surgeon, and darn well go there for surgery.

I do not like these 3rd party agencies and as offended as you may wish to be my thoughts are not going to change. The majority of them will sign up any doctor who wishes to participate. It does not matter if they are any good or not, it matters if they will participate and sign a contract. Your desire of being insulted isn't going to change that reality.

The 3rd party agencies have to be paid by someone, either the consumer or the doctor. So people are going to get a better deal by going to the doctor directly. You avoid paying the 3rd party. You either pay less or bargain with the doctor for a better price.

Surgery isn't all about price, it's about skill and quality of medical care. I'm thrilled for you that you found a good price. Had you gone to the doctor directly you would have stood a chance of an even better price.

You make it a point to discuss Cosmetic Bliss in most every post you write. Amazingly, most do not do that. A more rational person would tend to think you are doing their advertising for them on a support board. While most refer to their surgeon, you refer to the 3rd party that referred you to your surgeon. Call me cynical but I find that curious.

I see these 3rd party companies all the darn time and they do NOT worry about the skill of the surgeon. They sign up hacks like Huacuz and Emmanual. They know nothing about who is doing the surgery as they are interested in recruiting patients and making money.

I will write it again, there is NOOO value in going with these 3rd party agencies. Do a little research, find your own surgeon, get the surgery, get your life back. For your choice of being offended... you'll have to understand that I just don't care. I think patients need to find their own doctors, do their own research, go to the doctor of their choice and save some money.

Cheers to you on "this will be my final word to you on this matter," but don't bank on the idea that these will be my final words to YOU on this matter. You are free to push and promote this company (to a point) on the boards. It does not mean I will not go toe to toe with your promotion of 3rd party companies. They are unnecesssary, they are an unneeded expense, and I damn sure would not trust them to choose my surgeon.

ETA: It should be noted that of your whole 7 posts .... 5 of those have been pushing Cosmetic Bliss instead of lending a hand to the newbies wanting information and support. Face it, you come here to push a company instead of participating in what allll the others do, to ask questions about their surgery type and offer support to others who wish to have surgery or just had surgery.

If you think your efforts are not obvious, you are sadly mistaken.

Cheers.

Edited May 20, 200917 yr by WASaBubbleButt

I find people come to forums such as this for three reasons:

1. They are looking for the "right" type of weight loss surgery.

2. They are looking for help in selecting a qualified surgeon and want to know from others what the pre and post-op experience was like.

3. They are concerned about cost.

While things might be different in Europe as compared to here in the United States, self pay means the same thing no matter where you go. National Health Insurance dictates what procedure you can have, when you can have it, where you will have it, and which surgeon will perform the surgery. Insurance companies in the U.S. might not be identical to NHS but they come close.

Self pay means the consumer is in control. You make ALL the decisions and that means you're the boss. As the boss, you get to decide on the who, what, when, and where because you hold the $$$$$$$$$$. Let's face it, surgeons, like all people who earn a living, are in business to make money. Since cost is a HUGE issue in this economy, self-pay allows the person to cut out all unnecessary costs.

Surgeons love to cut but they can't be bothered with the day to day operations of a practice. That is why they hire an office staff and an office or practice manager/coordinator. To save money, it makes sense to cut out middle men and deal directly with the office manager. So:

1. Determine what surgery is right for you and when you make that decision...

2. Research surgeons who do the surgery you want and when you do that

3. Call the surgeon's office, ask to speak to the office manager, and let the bargaining begin!

It's important to remember that the person who holds the money is in control. If you're a self pay, you are the boss and you're interviewing and hiring the surgeon of YOUR choice.

Hi Lynn

I could not decide whether to have the band or the sleeve but when I looked into it more with the band you can have more complications after than with the sleeve, so I had the sleeve.

Which ever surgey you go for there will always be a way around it but what you got to remember this is a tool and you have to use the tool as you pay so much money to get this surgery in the 1st. place.

Anyway I used Cosmetice Bliss as in the Uk you cant go and find your own surgeons you will always have to go through a company. Cosmetic Bliss have 1 surgeon Dr Cierny who specialises in this area and him and his team were fantastic.

I had my surgery on the 24/03/2009 and from the start to return home they were brilliant. i would recommend them to anybody.

If you have any questions for me please don't hestitate to ask me any question.

Take care.

Rukhshandah

I Rukshandah,

Be careful, we are not allowed to mention CB. The WLS Nazi will have your guts for garters!! LOL.

I Rukshandah,

Be careful, we are not allowed to mention CB. The WLS Nazi will have your guts for garters!! LOL.

No, that's not it at all. If you want to advertise CB you are free to contact Alex and pay for your advertising. If you want to discuss WLS and expediences that is what the board is for.

I Rukshandah,

Be careful, we are not allowed to mention CB. The WLS Nazi will have your guts for garters!! LOL.

Please review the rules of this forum. Attacking ideas and debate is fine but personal attacks on people is prohibited and subject to administrative action.

Mentioning 3rd parties, insurance companies, surgeons, etc., IS allowed. Advertising is also allowed as long as you go through the owner of this site, Alex, and pay the prevailing rates to do so.

Thank you,

Please review the rules of this forum. Attacking ideas and debate is fine but personal attacks on people is prohibited and subject to administrative action.

Mentioning 3rd parties, insurance companies, surgeons, etc., IS allowed. Advertising is also allowed as long as you go through the owner of this site, Alex, and pay the prevailing rates to do so.

Thank you,

I do not work for CB, or recieve any kick back from them. I am sorry I used the word Nazi, perhaps Police would have been better.

I know you are all a close clique and have known each other for ages but I did expect a friendlier reception than being called an idiot because I went with a package company.

Suggest you look through the threads and pick out exactly who is being agressive Elizabeth. I can only speak about my experiences here in the UK, which is very different to the USA. Perhaps this site should be only for USA people?

:cursing:

I do not work for CB, or recieve any kick back from them. I am sorry I used the word Nazi, perhaps Police would have been better.

I know you are all a close clique and have known each other for ages but I did expect a friendlier reception than being called an idiot because I went with a package company.

Suggest you look through the threads and pick out exactly who is being agressive Elizabeth. I can only speak about my experiences here in the UK, which is very different to the USA. Perhaps this site should be only for USA people?

:cursing:

Those that come here and want to discuss surgery, weight issues, MDs, etc., those people are very welcome here. Those that use a support board to sell snake oil are not typically treated with a warm reception.

The idea of support boards is to support, offer surgery advice, weight loss advice. When you come here to push a 3rd party agency that does absolutely nothing that the MD office cannot provide... it's nothing short of a scam.

I do not work for CB, or recieve any kick back from them. I am sorry I used the word Nazi, perhaps Police would have been better.

As I stated, any attack (no matter what the word used) on a person is not permitted. That is a rule.

I know you are all a close clique and have known each other for ages but I did expect a friendlier reception than being called an idiot because I went with a package company.

I have only met one person on this forum, *Susan*, and that was by chance when we happened to have surgery a day apart at the same facility. What people have in common on this section of the forum is that we all had VSG or were revised from a band to a VSG. Since this a band board, VSG members are small (but growing). Therefore, this does tend to be a friendly place where a small number of people interact via postings.

I read through every post and could not find anywhere in the thread where you were called an "idiot" so I am guessing that's a term you originated. I did see where you and WASA were at odds concerning using 3rd parties to book surgeries but I did not see where she said you were an idiot for choosing this option.

Suggest you look through the threads and pick out exactly who is being agressive Elizabeth. I can only speak about my experiences here in the UK, which is very different to the USA. Perhaps this site should be only for USA people?

:cursing:

I don't live in the UK and so I learn from those who do. This forum is open to anyone who wants to join.

Thank you,

Hi Lynn

I could not decide whether to have the band or the sleeve but when I looked into it more with the band you can have more complications after than with the sleeve, so I had the sleeve.

Which ever surgey you go for there will always be a way around it but what you got to remember this is a tool and you have to use the tool as you pay so much money to get this surgery in the 1st. place.

Anyway I used Cosmetice Bliss as in the Uk you cant go and find your own surgeons you will always have to go through a company. Cosmetic Bliss have 1 surgeon Dr Cierny who specialises in this area and him and his team were fantastic.

I had my surgery on the 24/03/2009 and from the start to return home they were brilliant. i would recommend them to anybody.

If you have any questions for me please don't hestitate to ask me any question.

Take care.

Rukhshandah

Hiya, thanks for your message. What's the nhs waiting list like in Manchester? Think I read on another post you're from there? I also spoke to Michelle Bowater and Colleen from wls group, Michelle recommended Dr Roger Ackroyd who done her LB and then GBP. I have heard he is good also.

I also contacted the local surgeon, well his secretary who will pass on my phone no and she said he was trying to start ops in a clinic but this is the same story I was told last year so I won't get my hopes up. Also he is not very experienced as he has only done 45 surgeries total, most of which were LB and about 15 GBP. A lady on another board said he left her with 7 puncture wounds trying to find her port and he told her it was angled, she went to another place for a fill and the lady told her it wasn't angled and he could've damaged the tubing.:cursing:

I did contact Shaw Somers secretary and he charges £12,000 plus I'd need to pay for my flights and accomodation on top of that. That's why Czech rep. seems a better option as flights etc included plus they accomapny you. I'd be a bit worried about catching MRSA in a local/uk hospital! Deborah told me she decided to set up the company cos when she had her wls she was facing it alone and it felt very daunting. As I haven't really anyone to travel with that'd suit me. Plus you meet up with 2 or 3 others they bring over at same time, it sounds like good fun,

You did it the right way, you went directly to the MD office.

Those that pay a premium for finding them a surgeon... those are the idiots.

You done good. ;o)))) You also picked a safe surgeon.

Please see above.

Please see above.

I thought you wrote that you did not pay a large premium and that you got a good price? That would mean you're not an idiot but you seem to have personalized what WASA wrote.

As I stated in my post, what surgery to have, where to have it, who performs it, and how to pay for it are major concerns in the U.S. Like it or not, surgeons pay 3rd parties to recruit patients and that cost IS passed on to patients. Therefore, it is VERY likely that cutting out the 3rd party WILL result in lower prices for the patient. For those who money is not an issue, 3rd party recruiters may not be an issue. For the majority, it is.

Hiya, thanks for your message. What's the nhs waiting list like in Manchester? Think I read on another post you're from there? I also spoke to Michelle Bowater and Colleen from wls group, Michelle recommended Dr Roger Ackroyd who done her LB and then GBP. I have heard he is good also.

I also contacted the local surgeon, well his secretary who will pass on my phone no and she said he was trying to start ops in a clinic but this is the same story I was told last year so I won't get my hopes up. Also he is not very experienced as he has only done 45 surgeries total, most of which were LB and about 15 GBP. A lady on another board said he left her with 7 puncture wounds trying to find her port and he told her it was angled, she went to another place for a fill and the lady told her it wasn't angled and he could've damaged the tubing.:cursing:

I did contact Shaw Somers secretary and he charges £12,000 plus I'd need to pay for my flights and accomodation on top of that. That's why Czech rep. seems a better option as flights etc included plus they accomapny you. I'd be a bit worried about catching MRSA in a local/uk hospital! Deborah told me she decided to set up the company cos when she had her wls she was facing it alone and it felt very daunting. As I haven't really anyone to travel with that'd suit me. Plus you meet up with 2 or 3 others they bring over at same time, it sounds like good fun,

Hi Lyn,

I spoke to some of our medical friends and it seemed to me that VGS just really wasn't a mainstream varient in the UK. I saw some recommends from Nia which pointed me towards the Czech Republic.

Having had a various Czech aupairs in the past when the kids were smaller I have a high regards for the Czech people and their abilities. In some ways it's like the UK used to be when I was young out there. People read books, discuss world affairs and seem to Celebrate the intellectual side of life.

It seemed likely to me that they would be good at WLS. I was not disappointed with my op and treatment. They also have extremely low rates of hospital acquired infections which is good to know if you are familiar with the jolly old NHS.

Can't say anything about how I got to CZ to get the op as it seems to cause problems.

Anyway good luck with your decision. I am hopeful that I have reversed the decrepitude I was experiencing with the combination of age and weight and will go on to have a long and active wind down to retirement and way beyond.

All the best, Jane

Is it possible that you can not go directly to Dr. Cierny and you have to go to Cosmic Bliss? Just wondering?