Many people have started to look to other countries for Bariatric surgery where costs can be cheaper and you can have surgery quicker than in the NHS. Lots of private clinics abroad, will put together a fully inclusive package for you, covering not only your treatment, but also your flights and accommodation too, making healthcare abroad a very realistic and easily achievable option.
However, there are enormous risks if you choose to have your weight loss procedure done abroad. In the UK all of our surgeons have to be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and are usually members of the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS). However, in some centres outside the UK, these accreditations may not exist.
Before you make a decision, be sure to weigh up any potential savings against the potential risks. You should consider the following:
The Surgeon and his or her level of experience and capability.
Standards of the hospital, equipment and processes. Standards may not be as strict when outside the UK and these factors are monitored by the Care Quality Commission in the UK
Aftercare. Even if the procedure goes as planned, weight loss surgery can, at first, be very debilitating. You need time and expert care to recuperate. Should things go wrong, you also need instant access to specialist care; a considerable problem if your Surgeon is thousands of miles away. Some clinics may not provide follow-up care either at all or up to the same standard as in the UK.