A hot topic at the moment is patients going abroad for bariatric surgery and I’m sure you will have seen this in the press recently. This is understandable and is largely due to the long waiting times for surgery on the NHS, and very low prices for surgery in countries such as Turkey.
At Verve we would encourage all our patients considering this route to think very carefully before going ahead.
We know that the best outcomes in patients undergoing surgery are due to 3 equally important factors:
1
Pre-op work up and a thorough assessment by a surgeon, dietician and psychologist is essential to guide you to the right operation and to prepare you for the life-changing effects of surgery. It is vital to know exactly what the surgery involves, how to prepare for it, and what to expect afterwards.
2
Having a good operation performed by an expert surgeon with a proven track record is essential to good outcomes. This minimises the risk of complications and allows for easy access back into the system should a problem arise.
3
It is crucial to have an excellent follow-up process with access to all members of the team if needed for many months post-op. We think that patients need quick access to the experts in person to identify and treat any complications. There are often many questions about diet, medications, recovery, exercise as well as emotional issues that can be difficult to manage and need specialist input. This helps in avoiding putting weight back on in the future.
Surgery abroad tends just to focus on the operation. The pre-op workup and post-op follow up is largely lacking. Unfortunately, the NHS is unable to provide this routinely, and patients often feel alone and abandoned once they return to the country, with nowhere to turn if there is an issue. Weight can regain quickly and problems arise.
There have been some well publicised surgical complications and even deaths after bariatric surgery abroad, that may have been avoided.
We know that it may seem an attractive proposition to go for a cheap operation, but we ask our patients to be aware that this is important and life-changing surgery. Deciding to have bariatric surgery is one of the biggest decisions of your life and you will want to get the best outcomes.
I often liken these choices to buying a car. The cheapest car will not run as well or as far as a more expensive one, and is much more likely to break down. Of course your health and wellbeing are worth far more than any car..!
Our team at Verve are fully trained experts in the field and are tightly regulated to provide the best possible outcomes. We are proud to ensure high standards of care and protect our patients before, during and after surgery.
If you are considering going abroad for surgery, we ask that you discuss this with a surgeon or a team member beforehand. Below are links to two statements from the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS) on considerations for going abroad for surgery which are well worth a read...
If in doubt, please book a consultation with one of our experts. We are always very happy to talk things through with you!
BOMSS statement on going abroad for weight loss surgery
Joint BAAPS/BOMSS statement on surgical tourism – CONSULT A UK SURGEON FIRST
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