Weight Loss Surgery

As Obesity levels continue to rise in Western countries, more and more people are opting to get Bariatric Surgery, also known as Weight Loss Surgery, in an attempt to lose weight that they have been unable to lose through conventional methods such as dieting and exercise.

Obesity has very profound effects on the health and life-span of its sufferers, and the risks involved with getting weight loss surgery are far out-weighed by the risked posed by not losing their weight. Overweight people also often find themselves in a Catch-22 situation, where their weight prevents them participating in normal exercise, and the negative self-image created by their weight problems can cause them to comfort eat.

Weight Loss surgery is known to be a very effective method of losing a lot of weight very quickly. However, it can be very expensive, and there are different types of weight loss surgery, each with different levels of risks. To confuse things further, there are huge fluctuations in the cost, depending on which country you get your weight loss surgery performed. The US, Canada, UK and Germany are all much more expensive than many other countries abroad for weight loss surgery, without the standard of surgery necessarily being any higher.

For example, in Europe, Gastric Bypass Surgery costs between 20% and 50% less if you get your surgery abroad in the Czech Republic, Belgium or Romania. In South America, the best prices are often found in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Argentina. Thailand, India, South Africa and Turkey are also all known to have excellent Bariatric surgeons, who can also provide overseas weight loss surgery at a much lower price.

Find which country offers the best prices for Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery! 

FAQs About Weight Loss Surgery

Who Will Benefit from Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery?

What Kinds of Surgery are Available for Weight Loss?

What are the Risks I Should Know About Weight Loss Surgery?

What Can I Expect After Weight Loss Surgery?

What Does it Cost to Get Weight Loss Surgery?

Who Will Benefit from Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery?

The Medical guidelines for determining whether you qualify as a suitable candidate for weight loss surgery are:

You have tried an adequate dieting and exercise program, without success, and if you are classified as morbidly obese, with a Body Mass Index of 40 or above, or a BMI of 35+ if you also suffer from another serious medical condition that is related to obesity, such as diabetes or heart problems. It is critical that the surgical weight loss procedure is performed in a high volume obesity surgery center, by experienced Bariatric surgeons.

What Kinds of Surgery are Available for Weight Loss?

Three main kinds of surgery are used for weight loss.

Firstly, there are the malabsorbtive procedures, of which Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD) is the main type. The idea is that surgery is performed to prevent the stomach absorbing much food. With this method, the patient can continue with a free diet. Malabsorbtive weight loss surgery often gives the highest degree of weight loss. However this method is not very popular, due to quite high risks of malnutrition. The patient will have to take mineral and vitamin supplements indefinitely after this form of weight loss surgery.

Much more commonly performed are the restrictive weight loss procedures, which work by making the stomach smaller. These include Vertical Banded Gastroplasty, more commonly known as stomach stapling or the Mason Procedure, the Adjustable Gastric Band also known as the Laparoscopic Band or Lap Band for short, Gastric Sleeve surgery, and the Gastric Balloon.

The remaining weight loss surgery techniques are a combination of limiting the absorption of food by the stomach, while also making the stomach smaller. The two most common methods are the Duodenal Switch, and the Gastric Bypass. Of all types of weight loss surgery, the gastric bypass is by far the most popular, and therefore the best understood in terms of its risks and results.

What are the Risks I Should Know About Weight Loss Surgery?

Gastric dumping, which can include diarrhoea is relatively common, and leaks or hernias where incisions were made are a risk. Also, as with any surgery, infections can be a danger. Risks are lesser with the restrictive types of weight loss surgery, such as Gastric Banding. Risks are also higher if the patent has open as opposed to Laparoscopic surgery.

You should naturally discuss the risks of weight loss surgery with your doctor.

However, studies has found pretty conclusively that the benefits can outweigh the risks for morbidly obese people, with the mortality rate from related diseases lowered, and improved blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetic control.

What Can I Expect After Weight Loss Surgery?

A typical amount of weight loss for the average patient after 36 months is between 30 and 40Kg. At the higher end, the gastric bypass generally gets the best results, although the risks are also a little greater.

What Does it Cost to Get Weight Loss Surgery?

The cost of Weight Loss Surgery varies depending on the expertise of your Bariatric surgeon, the type of surgery your surgeon recommends, and also the location you get your weight loss surgery performed. It is possible to save a great deal of money, typically between 20% and 50% if you choose to go abroad to a country where the infrastructure costs are lower for this type of procedure.

It goes without saying that you should not save money at the expense of your safety and health, and it is far more important to get your weight loss surgery performed by a professional an experienced in the field of Bariatric surgery. However, there are many very good clinics abroad in Eastern Europe, especially the Czech Republic, while in South America, there are clinics in Argentina that will perform to the same standards you would expect in the United States. Thailand also has an especially high reputation for Weight Loss surgery.

Find which country offers the best prices for Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery!