Turkey has become a hotspot for medical tourism due to its location, lower costs and shorter wait times. However, travelling abroad for surgery involves careful considerations, particularly regarding safety, follow-up care, and overall effectiveness. This blog explores the UK government's position on medical tourism and encourages exploring local, effective weight loss options before considering surgery abroad.
The appeal of surgery in Turkey
Turkey offers various medical procedures at costs often significantly lower than those in the UK. Coupled with accredited facilities and skilled surgeons, it's an attractive option for many people. Common procedures sought by UK residents include bariatric surgeries like gastric sleeves and gastric bypasses. However, the lower costs must be weighed against the potential risks.
Risks of having surgery abroad
Travel and recovery
Travelling for surgery adds complexity to recovery. Post-operative care can be challenging when away from home, and complications may require dealing with unfamiliar healthcare systems or incurring additional costs for extended stays. Three of the biggest risk factors for clots such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary emboli (PE) are surgery, air travel, and periods of reduced activity; gastric surgery in Turkey exposes you to all three of these risks.
Follow-up care
Continuity of care (after surgery) is crucial for successful outcomes in weight loss surgeries. Managing follow-up in the UK after undergoing surgery abroad can be problematic, with NHS doctors not involved in the initial procedure possibly feeling hesitant to take over post-operative care.
Safety and regulation
While many Turkish medical facilities meet international standards, variability in regulatory oversight compared to the UK can pose additional risks. The NHS provides a regulatory environment that ensures high standards of care and patient protection that might not be as stringent abroad.
UK alternatives to surgery
Weight loss injections
Before opting for risky surgical options, consider weight loss injections, which are available through the NHS and private clinics in the UK. These include:
- Wegovy (Semaglutide): Helps reduce appetite and increase satiety, helping people achieve around 15% weight loss.
- Saxenda (Liraglutide): This also reduces appetite and is suitable for long-term weight management, helping people achieve around 10% weight loss.
- Mounjaro (Tirzepatide): This is the newest weight loss injection on the market. It improves blood sugar control and helps people achieve up to 26% weight loss.
If this seems right for you, make sure to use a trusted provider like Medicspot or London Weight Loss Clinic to gain a thorough assessment and avoid counterfeit medications.
The government's position on medical tourism
The UK government cautions against medical tourism for elective procedures like weight loss surgery, highlighting the risks of complications. It advocates exploring all available local options first, emphasising treatments that are regulated, closer to home, and offer easier access to follow-up care.
We are aware of six British nationals having died in Turkey in 2023 following medical procedures. Some British nationals have also experienced complications and needed further treatment or surgery following their procedure.
– GOV.UK
Making an informed decision
Choosing a weight loss treatment involves considering both the immediate benefits and long-term implications. The convenience of having treatment in the UK not only ensures ongoing support but also aligns with government guidelines designed to protect patient health and safety.
While Turkey offers tempting options for weight loss surgery at attractive prices, the potential risks, especially concerning travel, safety and follow-up care, make it crucial to consider alternatives.
Weight loss injections available in the UK present a compelling option, offering effective results without the need for invasive surgery and the associated risks of travelling abroad for medical procedures.
About the author
Dr Adam Abbs is an NHS-trained GP with a keen focus on digital health, AI in healthcare and personalised and lifestyle medicine, including weight loss. Dr Abbs is a leader in the innovation of effective, accessible and safe healthcare delivered via remote care. Dr Abbs is an expert medical writer and authored the RCGP-accredited Handbook of Remote Consultations in 2020. GMC Number 7078829 Irish Medical Council 429282