Gastric bypass surgery abroad

Gastric bypass is a weight-loss operation that creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach and connects it directly to a lower part of the small intestine. Food bypasses most of the stomach and the first section of the intestine, so you feel full after small meals and absorb fewer calories. The operation also changes the gut hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar.

It is performed laparoscopically, through small incisions, under general anaesthetic, and in practice it is not reversed. Because part of the digestive tract is bypassed, it requires lifelong vitamin and mineral supplements and regular follow-up. Lasting results depend on permanent changes to eating habits and activity.

Going abroad can lower the price and shorten the wait, but it also moves your surgeon away from your follow-up. Weigh both sides:

• A lower price: private bariatric surgery at home can cost much more; compare what each quote includes before comparing totals.
• A shorter wait: clinics that treat international patients usually schedule around your travel dates.
• Follow-up is further away: you need specialist follow-up for at least two years and blood tests every year for life, and that has to be arranged before you book.
• Complications after you fly home are handled by a team at home that did not do the operation, so agree who you will contact.
• When not to go: if no one at home will provide follow-up, if you cannot commit to supplements for life, or if your health makes a long journey soon after surgery unsafe.

Ensuring your safety and the quality of your care is paramount. When researching hospitals for gastric bypass surgery abroad, you should follow a structured approach to vet your options thoroughly.

1. Verify international accreditation: Look for certifications from globally recognized bodies. Accreditations like Joint Commission International (JCI) or ISO certifications indicate that the hospital meets rigorous standards for patient safety and quality of care.
2. Research surgeon credentials: Investigate the qualifications and experience of your potential surgeon. Check their medical background, certifications, and how many gastric bypass procedures they have performed. Reputable clinics will be transparent about their surgeons’ expertise.
3. Read patient reviews and testimonials: Look for authentic reviews from previous patients on independent platforms. These testimonials can provide valuable insight into the patient experience, from the initial consultation to post-operative care.
4. Request a virtual consultation: A video call with the surgeon or a medical consultant allows you to ask specific questions, discuss your health history, and get a feel for the clinic’s professionalism and communication style.
5. Ask about outcomes and complication data: Do not hesitate to ask the clinic about their outcomes and data on post-surgical complications. A transparent and confident clinic will readily share this information.

Clinics abroad set their own admission criteria, often broader than the NHS ones. The NHS and NICE criteria are worth knowing, because they show where the evidence for benefit is strongest and your GP will use them when you are home:

• a BMI of 40 or above;
• a BMI of 35 to 40 with a condition that might improve with weight loss, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure;
• recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes, where NICE recommends a faster assessment and surgery can be considered at a lower BMI;
• a South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean family background, where surgery may be considered at a lower BMI;
• a commitment to lasting lifestyle changes and to regular check-ups after surgery.

Agree the length of the hospital stay and the date you fly home in writing, and ask your surgeon when it is safe for you to fly rather than assuming the package dates are a medical judgement. Long-distance travel soon after an operation is one of the specific risks the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society raises, because of blood clots, so ask what clot prevention you will have. Travelling with a companion helps in the first days. Entry rules depend on your nationality; check them on the destination's official website.

If you want to spread the cost, see our payment plans page for the options available where you live and the lender's terms.

Costs to plan for beyond the operation

While packages are often comprehensive, you should be aware of potential extra costs. These may include pre-operative tests if done in your home country, post-operative medications, special dietary supplements, travel insurance, and any follow-up care you may need once you return home. Always ask for a detailed list of what is included and excluded in your price quote.

Disclosure: Assoc. Prof. Muhammed Zübeyr Üçüncü, who medically reviewed this page, is also listed among the doctors of Luna Clinic Turkey, one of the clinics on this page.