What are the benefits to travelling abroad for a gastric bypass? Being overweight and obesity both have fatal health consequences known to lead to a number of other health issues. Of course, each one of us knows that shedding the extra pounds is highly beneficial, but many of us fail to do so primarily because weight loss is tough. After much struggle with weight issues without any success, people just give up trying to lose weight.
The good news is, medical tourism has, in the past decade, made a sizable breakthrough, particularly involving specialized weight loss procedures. There have been numerous bariatric weight loss solutions introduced that are hardly invasive and are painless too. One such procedure is gastric bypass surgery.
What is a gastric bypass?
Gastric bypass surgery, essentially, is a procedure that helps you lose weight. The procedure involves changing the way your small intestine and stomach handle all the food you eat. After the surgery, you will have a smaller stomach, which means that you’ll start feeling fuller with a lesser amount of food. Additionally, the food that you eat will be prevented from entering parts of your small intestine and stomach that absorb food.
A gastric bypass is a good option for those who find it impossible to lose weight in other ways, whether it is because of their hectic lifestyle, specific health concerns or because of their lack of motivation. Procedures like gastric bypass surgery also result in long-term weight loss of over 60% of the body weight. Consequently, the procedure helps to cure numerous diseases related to obesity.
Most people prefer to travel abroad for a gastric bypass. Wondering why that is? Well, there are many benefits to travelling abroad for a gastric bypass. Let’s take a look!
Why people prefer surgeries abroad
It is most often the case that weight loss surgeries abroad are cheaper, which is why people prefer to travel for their surgery. In fact, millions travel across borders just for bariatric surgeries like incision-less weight loss surgeries including gastric sleeve and gastric bypass.
Going abroad for surgical procedures is actually quite common and is termed, "medical tourism".
Understanding medical tourism
It is a term that describes the growing practice of going to another country just for healthcare services. It is also quite popular among obese people as they prefer to go for bariatric surgeries while they visit another country. Particularly in the last decade, medical tourism has become a growing market for those wanting to lose weight via medical intervention.
Benefits of travelling abroad for a gastric bypass
If you are also looking for surgical options for weight loss, then you should also consider travelling abroad for gastric surgery. As mentioned previously, there are many benefits to travelling abroad for a gastric bypass. Here are eleven of these benefits:
1. The procedure is more affordable in countries abroad
It is no secret that the cost of health care in countries like Australia, the United States, and Canada has constantly been on the rise for the last few years. Thus, in terms of finance, it is much much cheaper to travel abroad to countries like Mexico for a gastric bypass, however, is it worth the risks involved? Unlike Weight Loss Riga, located in Riga, Latvia, other countries, including Mexico, may not hold the same standards or have the same level of insurance that we do.
Which country has the most benefits to travelling abroad for a gastric bypass?
There are facts that prove how expensive such procedures are in countries like the United States. In fact, in the US, the gastric bypass surgery, on average, costs roughly $25,000. Meanwhile, in countries like Mexico, the same procedure costs $7,400. Therefore, opting for the surgery in Mexico, you can enjoy savings up to 70 percent! With the big amount saved, you can use it to purchase something you’ve had your eye on for quite a while! Keep in mind that saving money should never be the main focus when considering weight loss surgery.
"...bariatric surgery abroad, like gastric bypass, isn’t of inferior quality."
And, it must be mentioned, that despite popular belief, bariatric surgery abroad, like gastric bypass, isn’t of inferior quality or doesn’t provide great results just because it is cheap. Instead, medical procedures are inexpensive in other countries because doctors don’t need to pay high prices for malpractice insurance. Plus, in many other countries, most doctors also don’t need to pay a huge chunk of money for staff and office rental. All of this results in savings that are passed on to you too!
Look for package deals & inclusions as one of the many benefits to travelling abroad for a gastric bypass
Furthermore, the cost of travelling to other countries and finding a place to stay there is not exorbitantly high as well. With medical tourism packages now introduced, you can buy one that covers everything including the ground transportation and the bariatric surgery recovery room. When combined, the cost of both the surgery and the package will be much lower than the total cost involved with getting the surgery done in the states.
2. You’ll find highly skilled bariatric surgeons abroad
No one can deny that you’ll find both bad and good doctors all across the globe. Once again, despite all the theories, surgeons in countries like Mexico are not inferior health professionals. The truth is, most bariatric surgeons in foreign countries are well-regulated.
There are organizations that work to monitor the activities and practices of all the participating doctors across the globe. So, if you go for bariatric surgery from the doctors of one of the participating facilities, then you can ensure that you receive high-quality healthcare.
Moreover, not to forget, physicians need to pass rigorous inspection after every three years to receive accreditation. Plus, a majority of international doctors are subject to rigorous standards and rules as physicians are subjected to in countries like the United States.
3. Another option as one of the many benefits to travelling abroad for a gastric bypass
When you go for a gastric bypass, you’ll find yourself presented by various other options to treat obesity. In fact, who knows, you might be able to go for a more effective but low-cost procedure? Apart from a gastric bypass, you can go for minimally invasive surgeries, extreme makeover, or incisionless weight loss procedures. All these kinds of surgeries are also available in countries abroad.
4. You are sure to get your money’s worth
People often believe that travelling abroad because of the travel expenses is not worth it. The truth is that going for a highly-qualified specialist away from home is more cost-effective than going for amateurs within the area or trying out fad diets. Despite the travelling costs, you will get your money’s value when you go for a gastric bypass abroad.
5. There’s minimal processing time involved
Countries that have healthcare processes similar to that of the United States, it can easily take up to twelve months to get approval for the bariatric surgery from a health insurance company. Moreover, if you fail to meet all the surgical qualifications, then chances are that your insurance company might not give you the green signal for a gastric bypass.
Self-Pay as one of the benefits to travelling abroad for a gastric bypass
One of the many benefits to travelling abroad for a gastric bypass is the shortened approval process. If you opt in for a bariatric surgery abroad, you don’t need to get involved in a lengthy approval process. This particularly holds true when you opt for the self-pay option because when you decide you finance your surgery yourself, you don’t need to get approval from another person. An additional benefit is that you can schedule your surgery according to the time you find the most convenient.
Furthermore, in countries abroad, there’s no need to fill in a plethora of forms. Thus, with reduced paperwork, there is no reason for the healthcare industry of the country to stall the process. So, you can complete all the required paperwork easily and in a short time, and make the travel arrangements accordingly.
6. Recent, state-of-the-art facilities
Doctors specializing in medical treatments like weight loss procedure tend to operate in facilities with top-quality, new equipment alongside staff with years of quality training and experience. While such doctors are also available in the US, you can enjoy the same great staff and equipment at a lower cost abroad.
7. You can take advantage of the self-pay options
Since bariatric surgeries like a gastric bypass are extremely expensive in countries like the United States, most people are unable to afford the procedure. Meanwhile, in countries such as Mexico, a gastric bypass and other similar bariatric surgeries are inexpensive so much so that many people find it viable to pay the expenses out of their own pockets.
Moreover, some surgeons in the UK refuse to take payments from the patient directly. Instead, they only accept payments from insurance companies. Remember, if you plan to pay for bariatric surgery from your own pocket, it is best to schedule a surgery in a foreign country.
8. You get access to superior patient care services
Most doctors usually see their patients once a month. Thus, an average doctor spends fewer than seven minutes with a patient. Ultimately, this means that patients don’t experience good patient care services from their doctors in the US.
On the other hand, when you go for bariatric surgery abroad, you can expect to be treated with care and respect. Bariatric surgeons that work in famous tourist hospitals take out time to talk to patients. They also do not work by the same schedule constraints that doctors in the UK do.
9. You get the chance to recover in 5-star facilities
While recovering from the bariatric procedure, you will have to stay in five-star facilities that come with amenities like meals, nursing equipment, comfortable beds, and flat panel television. Plus, the greatest benefit of these accommodations that they are much cheaper than drab hospitals.
10. Doctors abroad have more experience
Bariatric procedures like gastric bypass are relatively new solutions. For this reason, going to experts that have specialized in these procedures is a much better option. An expert can explain the whole procedure in a better manner and can list down what you should expect. Similarly, they can also manage and monitor the specific needs of patients, thus minimizing the complications involved in the process. In many cases, you will find that doctors abroad are more experienced.
11. You get the chance to see a new city
You don’t need to make the whole trip about the procedure. Your treatment will take two days at the most which mean you can have a look around the city and take up all the activities that the city has to offer. Then, just a day before you are set to leave the city, you can schedule one final visit with the doctor and then head for home!
Are there any cons of travelling abroad for gastric bypass?
There are so many benefits to travelling abroad for a gastric bypass. And while there are not too many downsides of travelling abroad, there are two things to consider.
Unless you bring a friend or relative, you may be travelling alone
If you plan on going along for the surgery, then you may need to bring a friend or relative with you. If you don't choose to do this, you may find yourself travelling to undergo weight loss surgery without the aid and comfort of having someone with whom you can find solace with you in a new country which can be stressful. Plus, if you are going for weight loss surgery abroad, you won’t be familiar with the area, the culture, and the people, which increases the risk involved with going abroad for the procedure. However, medical tourism has developed a lot in recent years, and anyone can check out accredited hospitals before buying a treatment package.
There are some safety and health risks involved
If the patient is only travelling to a different city in the same country, then there are hardly any safety and health threats. Meanwhile, travelling to another country does involve a few hazards. For instance, invasive procedures need considerable time for recovery and travelling back to their hometown isn’t recommended just days after the completion of the procedure. To ensure you are not putting your life at risk by travelling abroad, make sure to do extensive research.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that losing weight is extremely tough. What’s even tougher is keeping it off. Seeing the numerous
benefits to travelling abroad for a gastric bypass, the cons can be overlooked. Thanks to weight loss procedures like gastric bypass, people can now enjoy a healthier future.
Plus, with medical tourism now gaining more popularity, the process of getting a surgery done abroad has become easier.
So many benefits to travelling abroad for a gastric bypass
With medical tourism, people can turn to experts that can help them get rid of their weight issues forever, even if they are in another country. By travelling abroad, you can get access to affordable and high-quality bariatric surgery which can be a good option for you! There are so many benefits to travelling abroad for a gastric bypass and other weight loss surgeries. Consider Weight Loss Riga as your partner in a healthy, safe, and skilled weight loss partner in the European Union. Call or submit a contact form to us at Weight Loss Riga. We're happy to help you understand whether you qualify for bariatric surgery!
