Elective Gastric Sleeve Surgery Abroad: Everything You Need To Know
Elective Gastric Sleeve Surgery Abroad:
Everything You Need To Know
As with other weight loss surgery, the use of gastric sleeve surgery for patients who would want to lose weight is becoming increasingly popular as UK waiting lists are long. This has meant that in some cases where weight-loss surgery is deemed necessary, patients have opted to have their surgery abroad. This may allow them to bypass the otherwise long wait they might experience in the UK before they could benefit from the results of gastric sleeve surgery.
In addition, for patients who want to have weight loss surgery who perhaps do not meet the specific NHS requirements (a BMI of 40 or above, or above 35 if there are other linked conditions) but still have a weight loss struggle, elective gastric sleeve surgery performed abroad, for example in Turkey, Lithuania or Thailand, is an option for them.
What is gastric sleeve surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery is a restrictive type of surgery that works by greatly reducing the size of the stomach to limit the amount of food that can be eaten at one time. Having had the surgery, after eating a small amount of food, patients reportedly often speak of feeling full very quickly and remain feeling satisfied for several hours. This, of course, can positively impact patients who struggle with over-eating.
Gastric sleeve surgery might directly affect appetite, firstly by significantly reducing the size of the stomach, but also by decreasing the amount of ‘hunger hormone’ produced by the stomach, which can further contribute to weight loss.
What is involved in the surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery is typically performed as laparoscopic surgery. Five or six small incisions are understood to be made in the abdomen and surgery is usually performed using a laparoscope and long instruments paced through the small incisions. The surgery is believed to take one to two hours to complete and is usually performed under general anesthetic, so a short stay in hospital tends to be required.
During surgery about 75 per cent of the stomach can be removed, leaving a narrow gastric tube or ‘sleeve’ behind. No intestines are either bypassed or removed, so the process of consuming and digesting food is said to remain the same as before surgery.
The benefits
Whether having the surgery in the UK or abroad, the benefits are supposed to be hugely life-enhancing. Depending on their pre-operative weight, patients can apparently expect to lose between 40-70 per cent of excess body weight in the first year after gastric sleeve surgery.
After gastric sleeve surgery much obesity-related comorbidity is thought to significantly improve or in some cases resolve itself. Diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep aponia and abnormal cholesterol levels can be improved or even apparently cured according to reports in more than 75 per cent of patients undergoing gastric sleeve surgery.
If the patient is having the surgery on an elective basis, they will simply need to meet the criteria advised by the facility that person wishes to attend. Provided all the necessary research into the suitability of the private clinic or hospital has been carried out, the same high standards should apply to gastric sleeve surgery abroad as in the UK. The cost of a private clinic performing the surgery, however, tends to be less.
Recovery
After gastric sleeve surgery, most patients may leave hospital around one to three days later. It understood that a very restrictive diet is advised to start with, such as only bland liquids, to enable the stomach to slowly tolerate other consistencies. After approximately four to six weeks the patient might be able to make a gradual return to their normal activities.
Patients may need to make lifestyle changes involving diet, exercise and regular follow-up appointments. To begin with, these appointments are likely to be at the private clinic the patient attended for the surgery.
Your stay abroad
Even factoring in the cost of travel and accommodation, many patients may still find having the surgery abroad more viable than in the UK. However, most medical travel insurance providers might not insure the individual against this type of trip for elective surgery. At Medical Travel Shield we offer specialist medical elective travel insurance. For more information contact us on 0203 409 1236 or email info@medicaltravelshield.com
This content is based on a variety of third-party sources and is for information purposes only and Medical Travel Shield is not recommending elective gastric surgery abroad.