Talk Quesada forum

Morning to all you lucky ex pats who are living the dream in the sun ( just jealous honest ) . We were looking to join you all in 2020,but having just had a quick look at our pensions etc we now may be able to join you earlier . All good news so far , but I have 2 very bad knees and have been told that I'm too young to have them replaced , 59 last month , am due to see the surgeon in Jan for an update , I should have at least 1 replaced before we retire but not sure if I can squeeze em both in , work pay for private health care , So my question is have ex pats had surgery in Spain similar to knee replacement and if so was id done via the Spanish NHS or through private paid for health care etc .sorry its a bit long winded question but getting very excited about joining you all .We are visiting in Jan and staying in Formentera with some friends, who live there, and will be looking at different areas in and around Quesada that we may like to retire to, so any tips or comments about the areas would be very helpful , thanks Pete & Christine

You won't get Spanish NHS care until you are of pensionable age in your own country. Probably 66 or 67 nowadays.
Once you've been a resident here for 12 months or more, you can go on the convenio especial which is (I think) around €65 per month but doesn't include prescription costs and more than doubles in cost when you reach 65. Other than that you would need private health care insurance but doubt if they would cover you for an operation that you know will need doing in the future.
Spanish NHS care is excellent. Really modern hospital in Torrevieja and I've read a couple of posters who have had knees or hips replaced, although a bit older, and have nothing but praise for the treatment.
My wife in UK was also told she was too young to have a knee replacement in her early fifties despite having problems for many years. Eventually pushed and she had it done whilst 57 so it can be done if necessary (mind you, that was 12 years ago so no idea on waiting lists nowadays and even she was on it for nearly 4 years before the op).
Hope it gets sorted.

Hi Petenorc57, I had a knee replacement 2 years ago in the Isle of man, at the time the surgeon insisted that I should wait until I was 75. If you tell your surgeon that you want a better quality of life so that you can continue working, they seem to accept this and operate on you sooner. I am due to have a second knee replacement in the next couple of months, and I have just turned 61. If you are getting your knee done on the NHS, it might be worthwhile finding out which surgeon does NHS operations only, and go for a private consultation, about £150. and tell them you cant afford the £13,000-£18,000 to go private and ask them if they can do it sooner rather than later.

I had a brilliant NHS surgeon in UK who carried out a total knee replacement on me at the age of 39 years. I was in so much pain prior to this due to arthritis from years of sport. If you need it push for it. He wasn't keen at first but I ended up with three arthroscopy operations prior to the replacement which failed. It took a good year to recover fully but honestly it was the best thing it totally changed by life. Good luck.

My friend had a heart stent put in, his wife has had a cataract replacement.. I have spent a little time in Torrevieja Hospital...

I can only agree with my friends that the care from the hospital in Torre is amazing...first class....

good luck..

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