GMG Blog

Watch Dr Arun Ghosh talk to Jeremy Kyle of TalkTV about the UK's obesity crisis. Full video and transcript available.

Private medical consultants are becoming an increasingly popular choice for those looking for high-quality healthcare. While you do need to pay for their services, going private can ensure you are seen right away, receive the highest standards of care and get more facetime with your doctor.

The NHS is a much-loved institution, but sadly it is far from perfect. Due to chronic government neglect, the NHS is often underfunded and oversubscribed, which can lead to long waiting lists and a lack of treatment options. When it comes to private vs NHS treatment, if you are able to pay a little extra money, it is often worth going private because you will be able to save time and are guaranteed a more personalised experience.

How long does it take to get a gastric band on the NHS? While there is no exact answer to this, the reality is that most people who request a gastric band (also known as metabolic or bariatric surgery) will not be approved. Even for those lucky few who are accepted, they can expect to wait around two years for surgery.