It may be a good idea to consider gastric bypass surgery as an effective way to lose weight.
Nevertheless, you are will have to choose between getting the procedure in your country or go abroad. Medical tourism is on the rise, with many of the tourists being bariatric patients. If you’ve made up your mind to get gastric bypass, we’ll like you to discover nine (9) reasons the surgery should be abroad.
Understanding Bariatric Surgery
Before the advent of a surgical way of losing weight, patients resorted to exercises and diets to lose weight. Now, there is a boom in the use of weight loss surgeries (WLS) to do way with extra kilos of flesh.
In the same vein, there is an increase in medical tourism. Hundreds of bariatric patients undergo different procedures when they get to predestinated locations abroad. The urge to “try something new” is a reason why medical tourism for weight loss surgery is on the rise. Are you ready to pass through the knife to shed off extra kilos of flesh? Do you prefer to have it outside the shores of your country? We present to you, nine (9) reasons to undergo gastric bypass abroad.
Learn more about medical tourism from others who have had a gastric bypass abroad and other weight loss surgeries with Weight Loss Riga by joining our Patient Community on Facebook!
1. Skilled Surgeons
Every human craves healthy lifestyle. Like every other surgical operation, there are chances of complications arising after weight loss surgery. Thus, patients are keen on getting the best treatment they can, from experienced hands.
It is a fact that bariatric surgeons in Europe have a positive reputation in this area. You don’t just embark on medical tourism without getting congruent information about the surgeon(s) that will perform the procedure on you. The question then is, “how do I identify a good surgeon?” Here are some factors to look out:
• Years of Practice
It takes constant practice to become an authority in the field of bariatric surgery. Before embarking on the journey, get across to the clinic and relevant enquiries about your surgeon. If you have your way, find out the number of years/experience he has in the field. Note that the higher the years of practice, the higher the chances of professionalism.
• Number of Surgeries
Do not overlook this! It is important to make inquiries on the surgeon’s proficiency with respect to bariatric surgery. A surgeon that has hundreds of surgeries in his kitty has literally “seen it all”. Thus, such persons should be on the list of professionals to handle your procedure.
Hint: Some clinics may not grant you audience on such delicate information. However, you can seek clarifications online and by interacting with previous patients. You can deduce facts about our surgeons from the “Clinics & Sections” page of our website. Our lead surgeon has been in the field for 25 years and counting. Therefore, there is no worry about your safety.
2. Proximity
Many of our patients are workers. Therefore, we understand the need to pitch our services closer to them. How far can you go from home to undergo weight loss surgery? Patients flock to Europe from many countries just to pass through the knife. However, there is a limit to the distance. For those with severe obesity-related diseases, such as heart disease, travelling long distances may not be in the best interest of their health.
Your gastric bypass surgery should be abroad because of the following proximity factors:
• Clinics are within your reach
France and the UK are some of the leading countries in bariatric surgery. The multiple clinics/hospitals that offer bariatric services in these regions are close to the end-users (patients). If the consideration is that France is too far a distance to go, you can settle for the surgery in the UK. Our clinic is only a few hours away. Thus, we have literally “brought bariatric surgery to your doorstep”.
3. Reduction in Costs
It is pertinent to work on a budget, as it helps you minimize frugality. However, health is of importance, which is a reason why bariatric patients spend a lot of money to get back an hourglass figure. This is not a bad idea but there is no need to go bankrupt to lose weight. The reduction in costs is another factor that attracts patients to undergo weight loss surgery abroad. Do you want to know how to make these savings? Here are some tips:
• Cheaper Flights
The proximity of clinics also translates to a reduction in the rates you pay on flights. It takes barely four (4) hours to get to our clinic. Apart from saving costs when coming for the surgery, you will also save huge chunks of money when coming for aftercare services.
• Save on Accommodation
There is a likelihood of getting low-cost accommodation for you (and your companion). Patients may have to spend a better part of their days at the clinic. Your friend or family member that accompanied you for the surgery will get access to cheaper accommodation throughout the period of the surgery.
• The Procedure is Cheap
The cost of weight loss surgery typically runs into £11,000. Now, that is a huge sum to spend. We offer over 50% reduction in the cost of gastric bypass surgery. There is no doubt that many obese individuals keep away from bariatric surgeries because of exorbitant fees. The reduction will offer will go the extra mile to encourage many patients to consider gastric bypass abroad as a way of cutting down the extra kilos of flesh.
4.Considerations for BMI
The traditional qualification for individuals seeking gastric bypass abroad is considering the BMI. Morbid obesity was the preeminent basis for an individual’s quest for bariatric surgery. However, that trend changed since the inception of new BMI requirements. Even though many clinics still stick to the Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35+ and 40+, we cut down the considerations for BMI.
The Necessity of BMI Reduction
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the core determinant of a patient’s eligibility for gastric bypass abroad. The traditional model, which demands a BMI of 40 and above may not be in the patient’s interest.
First, there is the risk of obesity-related diseases, which are the aftermath of delaying the surgery. Second, some individuals require immediate attention, depending on the severity of their obesity. Thus, we deemed it important to reduce the BMI requirements with the aim of accommodating more patients in the procedure.
5. Collaborations & Affiliations
There is interoperability in the global community of bariatric service providers. Clinics/hospitals forge an alliance with leaders in the industry to perfect weight loss surgeries. The aim is to provide quality bariatric services to patients by harnessing information from multiple parties.
What is in it?
The benefits of these affiliations are not for the clinic/hospital alone. The major beneficiaries are bariatric patients. Let us look at the benefits and the impact on medical tourism.
• Standard Practices
At intervals, health-certifying agencies, such as JCI make scheduled visits to clinics/hospitals. The aim is to ensure strict adherence to the dictates of current healthcare practice. In light of this, you should have no doubt about the medical system. In addition, the chances of a successful gastric bypass abroad are there, because clinics/hospitals operate in line with set rules and regulation within the region of operation.
• Interoperability among Surgeons
Europe boasts of the highest concentration of surgeons in the world. In the same vein, clinics within the region often seek professional input from sister clinics/hospitals. Thus, the great strides in the healthcare sector in the region owe it to the interoperability among surgeons.
6. Low Complication Rates
There are few death tolls after weight loss surgery. That does not translate to all-around safety in the procedure, because complications may arise at intervals. It is worth noting that bariatric surgery is risky. It takes surveillance and the efficiency of the surgeons to mitigate inherent risks in the system.
The quest for the procedure is not only to shed off extra kilos of flesh. It includes a restructure in the meal plan and all-around improvements in the patient’s lifestyle.
Here are the reasons why weight loss surgery complications rates are low:
• Skilled Surgeons
The medical personnel have been in the field for long and can point out the factors that cause complications. Having this in mind, surgeons can perform the procedure without risks. In the event of any, you can have the confidence that fixing it is possible.
• Safe Environments
There are wide ranges of bariatric tools that ease the process. Surgeons utilize this to provide patients with risk-free weight loss procedures. Note that the environment in this context is not just the clinic/hospital itself. It also extends to the healthcare facilities that enhance the safety of the procedure.
7. Self-Payment is Possible
The cost of weight loss surgery often dips a hole in the financial pockets of patients. Thus, they look for the “easy way out” to reduce the expenses that come with bariatric surgery. Where can they get that? For UK patients, they hope to hitch a ride to gastric bypass abroad using the National Health Service (NHS). The service is quite effective but cannot serve the teeming obese population.
When NHS Fails, Self-Funding becomes an Option
This is usually the case because the NHS cannot cater to the needs of every bariatric patient in the UK. Most times, applicants get a declination after a long wait. Instead of waiting in the NHS queue for long, financially buoyant patients chose to pay for the surgery themselves.
The self-funding option coupled with the cost reductions are reasons why obese individuals settle for gastric bypass abroad. Note that some clinics/hospitals may require the approval of your insurance company before activating the self-pay option for you.
8. Excellent Facilities
Clinics invest in excellent bariatric facilities to ensure a hitch-free procedure. It is the quest of every patient to pass through the knife and come out alive. The array of excellent equipment and the skilled bariatric professionals offer you a safe weight loss surgery.
We buy from the best hands
Weight Loss Riga takes exception to counterfeit and low-quality medical tools. Thus, our quest to provide effective bariatric services informed our decision to collaborate with leading suppliers in the niche. Our excellent medical equipment aids in the provision of risk-free gastric bypass surgery.
9. Minimal Processing Time
As we rightly noted, many bariatric patients are workers. They tend to have a few days off to undergo gastric bypass abroad and get back to their workplaces. This may not be feasible when waiting for the NHS approval or waiting for their turn in home-based clinics.
The timeframe for weight loss surgery hardly exceeds five (5) days. On the flip side, a long wait is feasible when the number of patients is on the rise. As such, surgeons will have many patients to cater for and may not extend the same service to all within a short time.
Embarking on medical tourism for gastric bypass abroad is a way to overcome the inherent risks of keeping away the surgery for long.
Before you leave, do these
Many patients are in a hurry to embark on medical tourism without taking relevant steps. Before you leave your home country to undergo gastric bypass abroad, make sure you fulfill/take the steps below:
• Seek your doctor’s opinion
It is the duty of the doctor to advise you on health matters. Intimate him with your decision for weight loss surgery and let him be your guide. You can also seek advice and references to clinics where to can get gastric bypass abroad.
• Establish contact with the Clinic
You can’t bump into a clinic and request for the gastric bypass surgery. It is important to get across to your preferred clinic and follow the instructions of getting the procedure at the facility.
• Get a nod from the NHS/Insurance Provider
Patients will like to save costs but may discard the idea when in a hurry to get gastric bypass abroad. It is pertinent to get the approval of your insurance provider before embarking on the trip. You can also contact NHS (if you are a beneficiary). This paves the way for a refund when you get back to the country.
Final Thoughts
Weight loss surgery can be the remedy you seek for your excess body mass. The gastric bypass procedure is not only effective but also increases your chances of losing weight faster. Do you have any concerns about undergoing gastric bypass abroad? Do get in touch with Weight Loss Riga for the necessary guidelines.
