Bariatric & Weight-Loss Surgery Abroad

The free planning call connects you with the hospital's bariatric team to discuss the recommended procedure, expected length of stay, dietitian handover, cost, and travel logistics. It is not a formal medical consultation. A paid second opinion connects you with a licensed bariatric surgeon who reviews your BMI, comorbidities, previous weight-loss attempts, and prior surgery, and gives you a structured written medical view on which procedure fits best, what the alternatives are, and what to realistically expect. For anyone unsure which procedure is right or considering a revision, we strongly encourage the second opinion path first.

The criteria changed in 2022. ASMBS and IFSO now state that surgery is recommended from a BMI of 35 "regardless of presence, absence, or severity of co-morbidities", and from a BMI of 30 in patients with type 2 diabetes. Between 30 and 34.9 without diabetes, they state surgery should be considered when non-surgical methods have not produced lasting results. The older BMI 40 rule comes from a 1991 consensus that this guideline replaced, although national health services still apply their own funding thresholds. The planning call confirms which options apply to your case, and the paid second opinion is there if you want a clinical view before you decide.

The best procedure depends on your BMI, comorbidities, reflux, previous surgery, and personal preferences. Gastric sleeve is the most common, with excellent results for BMI 35 to 45. Gastric bypass is stronger for patients with type 2 diabetes, severe reflux, or higher BMI. Mini bypass offers similar benefits with lower complexity. Endoscopic balloon is a non-surgical option for lower BMI or as a bridge. Duodenal switch and SADI-S are reserved for very high BMI or revision. The bariatric team walks through each option in your planning call.

Bariatric surgery carries risk anywhere, but modern laparoscopic techniques have made it one of the safest major abdominal operations. Safety in our network is protected by three layers: every hospital, bariatric surgeon, and dietitian is reviewed and verified by our medical advisory board before joining; partner hospitals meet international laparoscopic surgery and safety standards; and the planning call gives you direct contact with the operating team before you decide. The real risks of medical tourism come from booking through unverified channels, low-volume centers, and packages that hide who is actually operating on you.

That is a decision for you and your own doctor, and the two are not really in competition. ASMBS President Ann M. Rogers states that patients who get insufficient weight loss on a GLP-1, or who struggle to keep taking it, should consider surgery "as an option or even in combination". The published comparison is set out in the section on weight-loss injections above. Whichever route you take, tell the bariatric team which medication you are on and at what dose, because that affects how your operation is planned.

Nobody can tell you that in advance, and you should be careful with anyone who does. What is published is group data. In the study ASMBS reports, patients who had a sleeve or a gastric bypass had lost around 24% of their body weight two years after surgery, on average. MedlinePlus describes weight loss after a gastric bypass averaging 10 to 20 pounds a month in the first year. Those are averages across thousands of people, not a forecast for you, and both sources are clear that the result depends on eating habits and physical activity afterwards. The team will talk you through what is realistic for your BMI, your procedure and your medical history.

It varies with the procedure. Endoscopic balloon is often day-case or overnight, needing two to three days on site. Laparoscopic sleeve or bypass usually needs four to seven days. Mini bypass and revision procedures may need up to eight days. Duodenal switch and SADI-S can need up to ten days before you're cleared to fly. The exact plan is confirmed in your planning call, based on your case and the hospital's protocols.

Recommended for all major bariatric surgery, especially for higher-BMI patients or those with significant comorbidities where post-operative recovery benefits from a companion's support. For endoscopic balloon and straightforward sleeve cases, a companion is helpful but not mandatory. The hospital's coordinator will confirm what's expected for your specific procedure during the planning call.

Long-term follow-up is essential and continues for years, not months. Standard follow-up includes blood tests (vitamins, minerals, metabolic panel) at 3, 6, and 12 months, then yearly, plus regular dietitian visits and monitoring for weight-loss trajectory, dumping syndrome (bypass patients), and any nutritional deficiencies. Your discharge summary and vitamin protocol are shared with your GP, endocrinologist, or dietitian at home so this can continue with your local team without a gap.

The NHS states that after weight-loss surgery you need to take vitamin and mineral supplements, and that you will be asked to attend follow-up appointments for the rest of your life, with blood tests to check your nutrient levels. Which supplements you need, and at what dose, depends on the operation. That is why the bariatric team gives you a written protocol matched to your procedure, and why your GP or dietitian at home keeps monitoring your blood test results. A gastric balloon does not remove or bypass any part of the stomach, so that situation is different; ask the team what applies in your case.

In many cases, bariatric surgery is partially covered by insurance companies when BMI and medical criteria are met, especially for patients with type 2 diabetes or other obesity-related conditions. Under the EU cross-border healthcare directive (Directive 2011/24/EU), planned procedures within the EU may also be partially reimbursed by your home insurance if you have the appropriate referrals. Turkey is outside the EU, so the directive does not automatically apply. Always contact your insurance company before you travel to confirm the coverage details and required documentation.

The hospital keeps you on site under monitoring until the bariatric team is confident you're stable enough to travel. Complications during recovery, such as a staple line leak, bleeding, or infection, are managed there, not en route. Bariatric surgery has small but real complication rates regardless of country, and partner hospitals are equipped with laparoscopic re-operation capacity, endoscopy, and ICU support for exactly these situations. If a complication happens after you return home, your GP has the full records and can act quickly, with support from the operating team via our app.

Yes. Revision is one of the treatment paths our network covers. This includes patients with significant weight regain after previous sleeve, bypass, or band, those with band complications who need removal and conversion, and cases with staple-line issues or inadequate initial weight loss. Revision surgery requires careful pre-operative evaluation including upper endoscopy and a review of your previous operative notes. The second opinion path is a good starting point before committing to revision.

Payment is made directly to the hospital, usually by card or bank transfer around the time of the procedure. Some partners accept partial payment on arrival with the remainder after surgery. Your planning call covers payment options and what's included in the quoted price (accommodation, airport transfer, medications, endoscopy, laboratory tests, hospital stay, dietitian consultation, vitamins for the first month) in detail, before you commit to anything.

Every bariatric team and care coordinator in our network works with medical interpreters or bilingual staff. Each hospital profile lists the languages they offer. For bariatric care in particular, being able to discuss diet phases, vitamin protocols, and long-term nutritional monitoring in your own language is essential, so this is one of the things we specifically verify with partners.