Due to the high success rate of gastric sleeve operations, it is today at the forefront of obesity related surgical treatments, which are performed to address this widespread concern faced by many UK residents.
Since many of the European and Asian countries have initiated medical treatment services of gastric sleeve surgery at a lower cost and better quality, more and more UK patients are now considering a gastric sleeve abroad.
This article will provide you crucial information about the gastric sleeve surgery and the benefits of carrying out this operation abroad.
What Is The Gastric Sleeve Surgery All About?
Gastric sleeve or sleeve gastrectomy is the surgical weight-loss treatment for clinically obese individuals or high-risk patients who can’t endure the complications of other radical bariatric surgical operations.
In this surgery, nearly 75% of the patient’s stomach is reduced through a laparoscopic procedure. The large portion of the stomach is surgically removed which subsequently acquires the shape of a tube or sleeve-like structure. Hence the name ‘gastric sleeve’.
When the size of the stomach is reduced quite significantly, the food intake will be lowered and the patient will loss 60 to 70 percent of his/her excess weight within a year.
This surgery is commonly used for the people with BMI (Body Mass Index) of above 40. Excellent results are obtained with the correct observation of dietary and medical guidelines. The sleeve gastric patients experience wonderful weight-loss benefits when they follow-up this procedure with a proper diet plan and a regular routine of exercise.
How is UK Addressing the Dilemma of Anti-Obesity Treatments?
Studies have reported that UK has witnessed a tremendous increase in the number of obesity-stricken people. Now, one-quarter of the UK population is suffering from morbid obesity disease as assessed by the Department of Health. Unfortunately, the number is rising, and many clinically-obese patients have been observed to opt for the gastric sleeve operation.
UK, however is facing a serious trouble in performing more obesity operations. The country perform only 5,000 obesity surgeries or gastric sleeve each year while France does 37,000 operations, Sweden carries out over 7,000 and even Italy performs 8,000 operation each year. NHS surgeons have warned the government that the number of operation should be increased otherwise the tolls of obesity crisis could threaten to bankrupt the NHS.
Nonetheless, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), have directed the NHS to give serious attention to the rising epidemic of obesity in the country and tackle to increase the number of operations like gastric bypass surgery and gastric sleeve placements to deal with obesity as these operations are proved by international agreement among professional organisations that it works.
Each year, more than 65,000 UK residents travel abroad for medical tourism and the figure is rising Medigo Tourism Report for United Kingdom. The long NHS waiting list is one of the primary reasons for UK obese individuals to carry out their gastric sleeve abroad. Another reason is high prices in UK for gastric sleeve treatments. The private hospitals in UK charge double or more the medical costs for gastric sleeve than it is charged in other European and Asian countries. This is the reason which is mentioned by many medical tourism companies that the numbers of UK residents going abroad for gastric sleeve operation have risen to threefold during the last six months.
Moreover, UK is also lacking a good deal of expertise in the field of gastric sleeve and other obesity surgical treatments. Due to all these reason, many UK residents prefer to travel abroad for the placement of gastric sleeve.
Benefits of Carrying Out Gastric Sleeve Abroad
Many UK residents are seeking to have this surgical procedure completed quickly at an inexpensive rate. As already mentioned, the clinics in UK charge relatively higher rates for gastric sleeve placement more than the clinics abroad which perform the same operation at fairly lower charges.
Besides the cost factor, there are many other advantages of placing a gastric sleeve abroad as compared to in UK.
A study was conducted by NCBI in which 13 patients were interviewed who travelled to Belgium for having a gastric sleeve operation. Only two of them responded that they carried out their operation in Belgium because the clinical services offered by country are much cheaper than are offered in UK. However, 11 of them mentioned that there are several other reasons except lower prices which motivated them to have a gastric sleeve abroad.
Countries like Belgium and Germany are reported to have far better clinical facilities and higher expertise in the field of gastric sleeve than in UK.
On the other hand, UK has only performed a small fraction of gastric sleeve surgeries and there are very few experienced surgeons available in the country. This is the key factor which impacted the decision of clinically obese patients in the UK to choose gastric sleeve abroad.
In fact, half of the patients have reported their preference of having conducted their operations from only highly experienced surgeons. This is their primary reason to opt for gastric sleeve abroad instead of in their home country.
Another advantage for carrying out gastric sleeve abroad is not to wait in UK till NHS surgeons are ready to perform it.
Daily Mail published an article a few years ago in which a former obese patient Ms Jilly Trela carried out her gastric sleeve placement from Belgium in just £3,000 which would have cost the double if she did it in UK. The mother of two children didn’t just travel because of the lower prices but actually NHS didn’t approve her for the operation and responded her that she doesn’t classified as super-obese patient. Although being overweight with 12 stones at 5 feet, she was not clinically obese but was quite unhappy with her weight.
Instead of waiting for NHS list to get her approved, she moved to Belgium and performed her gastric sleeve abroad.
There are so many cases like Jilly’s, in which people in UK have to wait for so long to be operated by UK surgeons. However, this is not the issue in foreign countries where patients can get their operations done according to their desire, their preferable schedule and opted place.
Among the pool of many European and Middle East countries, UK residents can choose their most desirable destination both for their gastric sleeve operation and for spending some time and holidays abroad.
Motivation for the Gastric Sleeve Abroad
Thus, this is another motivation for UK residents to have a gastric sleeve abroad. They can avail the opportunity of spending a relaxing holiday in a foreign country. A peaceful and soothing environment produces a lot of positive impacts on the overall mental health of patients. Taking a break from the quotidian life of work and home while having the gastric sleeve surgery abroad can bring twofold benefits for the patients. Their minds will be relaxed in a tranquil atmosphere accompanied by the facilities of their surgical treatments.
These are all the reasons which have encouraged many medical tourism companies to extend support to UK residents for their obesity treatments. These companies have experienced travel managers, and also offer the services for flights and accommodations, personal travel assistants, standard medical treatments along with after-care services, pick and drop transportation and insurance and safety services.
Choosing a Bariatrics Surgical Facility for your Gastric Sleeve Abroad (...Like Weight Loss Riga!)
Choosing a better medical tourism company is a viable option for many aspiring patients for gastric sleeve placements. Such companies also provide free consultations to the individuals. Their rates are affordable and all-encompassing care and treatments are included in their different offering packages.
You won’t find difficulty in booking your hotels and clinical visits as all the activities are arranged by a reputed medical tourism company. In less than a month, patients are usually recovered from their operations and hence, they can visit post-operation a few beautiful and relaxing places in the foreign country. After all, travelling to sites can engender a great many advantages in terms of mental, emotional and physical health of the obese patients.
Countries with Greater Expertise and Lower Costs for Gastric Sleeve Abroad Placements
Latvia, Belgium and Hungary have greater expertise in this area and a large number of qualified and experienced surgeons are available in these countries. Additionally, they have better infrastructure, more resources and quality clinical services.
Denmark also perform gastric sleeve treatments in lower prices than that of UK. In fact, if you add the travel and accommodation costs with the treatment costs, the price would still be lower than the sole operation in UK.
France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and Italy have also offered high quality services for gastric sleeve operations in lower costs. The surgeons and doctors in these countries have widespread experience and specialised skills to carry out gastric sleeve operation.
Meanwhile, clinics in many Asian countries like Thailand, Singapore and India perform gastric sleeve in considerably lower fees as compared to the clinics in UK.
Few Points to Consider Before Applying for Gastric Sleeve Abroad
Insurance:
Make sure you have contacted to your healthcare insurance company to compensate the costs of treatment abroad. A reimbursement is allowed as per EU directive 2011/24/EU for your surgeries out of country.
Don’t Travel by Yourself:
You are on your way to getting a surgery done, therefore it is advised that you bring alone a family member or friend who can offer you support during your procedure and recovery time.
Do the Due Research Diligently.
Check the selected hospital/clinic as well as the doctor who is to perform the procedure online. Your doctor, as well as the facility where he performs, must both be accredited. You will find all the information you need on the internet, as well as access to previous patients who have received the same gastric sleeve abroad. Get in touch with them to learn about their experiences so that you are aptly prepared for what’s to come.
Consult Your Regular Doctor Before You Go.
If it is your choice to get a gastric sleeve abroad, it is best to have your regular doctor involved in this decision. Request your local doctor to speak with your international doctor regarding your specific concerns and health condition.
Remember – You’re Also on Holiday!
It is understandable that you would be feeling anxious, stressed, and worried because of the impending surgery. However, it’s important to remember that your trip is not just for a medical procedure; it is also to experience a beautiful new country (namelly in Latvia). Before the surgery and afterwards, be sure to take in the sights of the cities and relax in a stunning setting.
If you desire an ultimate cure to your obesity concerns, a gastric sleeve abroad is possibly the most cost-effective, reliable, and effective solution to your problem. Experience a new country, take a break away from your regular life, and have a life-changing holiday, all the while getting an expert medical procedure at half the expected cost. Follow in the footsteps of your fellow UK residents in making a prudent decision to turn your life around for the better, starting off with a holiday.
Step by Step: Gastric Sleeve Abroad
Consider Latvia for your gastric sleeve abroad. From phenomenal expertise, decades of experience, affordable pricing, physician insurance coverage, and so many rave reviews, it's an incredible opportunity to look into further. To ask questions about your gastric sleeve or to talk more about interests as far as the steps our patients take to visit our facilities for a gastric sleeve abroad, contact us. We'll answer all of your gastric sleeve abroad questions. We even have all inclusive packages, which sets us apart from other gastric sleeve abroad facilities in Europe. Because of this, patients have the peace of mind of having everything taken care of, from a night in a beautiful hotel upon arrival, four days in a private, comfortable and safe clinic suite, to all of the exams, tests, paperwork, and assessments needed. We even help you to understand the new diet you'll be enjoying after your gastric sleeve abroad. In fact, Weight Loss Riga includes one service taht is rare. We continue to check in on your progress for no additional fee for the following five years after you leave our clinic. That's because we care. Call us today.
