If you were me, would you go to Turkey for weight loss surgery?

[Lordofthebutterfloofs]

I know two people who have done this very recently and they are so happy with their outcome.

21 stone
36years old

Never had an op of any kind.

Sick of trying to diet

Very very tempted but rather terrified of the whole thing

No.

gastric bypass here in 2010. Just under 9 stone lost. 4.5st regained, lost during pregnancy and regained after.

I had mine in the U.K. at a very well though if nhs bariatric team. No complications but have terrible iron levels and have had thinning hair (although mine was thick so not too bad).

ive had follow ups I’ve the last couple of years even though I’m 13 years out. You won’t get that in turkey.

it is a seriously risky procedure and I would want the comfort of the nhs and my family close to me. I wouldn’t want a flight after an op like that (I was in bariatric icu for 5 days although that was standard then).

there is an amazing Facebook community - look it out lots of experiences from abroad as in the U.K.

but No way would I go overseas for it.

I know several people that done it , they’re all happy with the results. If you do go , make sure you go somewhere where they keep you in hospital not in a hotel and take someone with you, don’t go alone as you’ll need help .

Maybe have a look at intuitive/conscious eating instead of continuously trying to diet and never seekng the results you want.

One thing about intuitive eating is not to go by all the instagram pages that say it means if your brain tells you to eat a bag of donuts, then go ahead and eat the bag of donuts... it is way more than following your body's cues, but it is freeing and can actually lead to healthier outcomes than dieting and pursuing weight loss often does.

If you have never heard of saxenda then you really haven’t done much research into weight loss at all

Saxenda or ozempic. Stop the feeling hungry all the time feelings.
Safe.
Do some research on GLP 1 medication.

And another one saying don’t go to Turkey for surgery.

It doesn’t give you nowhere near the same results , Saxenda and Ozempic Rare not sustainable and expensive

Hi.

I did. Best thing I ever did.

I was on the NHS waiting list but with covid and such I was told I was looking at at least 3 years. I couldn't afford UK prices.

I was borderline for hypothyroidism, prediabetic. Massive gallbladder problems (had that removed same time) fat, embarrassed, depressed and at the end of my tether.

I knew there were risks, there are risks with any op but I felt it was worth it.

I felt like the path I was on was leading to me dying anyways.

It all went perfectly. I'm over 7 stone down and a completely different person. Best decision I ever, ever made.

Also I tried everything inclusing saxenda which made me vomit non stop for 24 hours. I never took a 2nd dose.

I know, weird isn't it. I've never felt the need to obsessively research weight loss methods. It's depressing.

Will you be able to afford private healthcare if you have complications once in the UK?

I've had WLS. Gastric bypass private UK. Cost 10k at Spire. Tried every diet going, counselling etc. No way will you lose weight without WLS. No chance.

I was 23 stone and now 12 stone. 5ft 10 so tall. Now healthy BMI

Can't comment on merit of abroad or not just know WLS worked for me.

Oh and bypass is better than sleeve.

I'm currently hoping to have weight loss surgery in the UK on the NHS and the first step is a 6 month weight loss course, if you lose 5% of your body weight they will consider putting you forward for surgery.

We have talked about weight loss surgery. In the UK you get back up from the NHS for life. You get 2 years of support after surgery to help you adjust mentally and physically and make sure you are having the right nutrition. You also have access again to the surgeon if there are any long term problems. They have made it clear that anyone having surgery abroad would not be able to access that support (including things like B12 injections) and would only be given emergency help if you developed a post surgical infection or another life threatening complication.

I have considered Turkey and at one stage had chosen a clinic and was saving up for it. I decided against it because if anything went wrong you are so far away from home. What would happen if you needed an intensive care bed or developed an infection? Who would pay for it?

Have you talked to your GP about being referred on the NHS? The problem is the waiting list, it took nearly 2 years to start the weight loss course and there will be further waits for surgery.

I've had a gastric sleeve in the U.K. and gone from morbidly obese to healthy BMI. It's changed my life & I would highly recommend to anyone: I paid £10k with Tonic

BTW I paid £2400 (Inc everything such as accommodation, food, transfers but bar flights and I opted to pay £500 more to have my gallbladder removed same time)

I've said above bypass is better than sleeve. Don't mean to diminish your experience just that was my conclusion from research etc.

I've had zero complications and it's been a smooth transition. Best 10k spent

Have it done here . My sister had it and she has lost 7 stone ! It's changed her life . She was 17 stone and now 11! It was £10 k and worth every penny!

Exactly. How could you even check that the surgeon and anaesthetist (no-one ever mentions them, even though they are responsible for keeping you alive) are on whatever the equivalent of the Specialist Register is in Turkey?Or registered on their version of the GMC? Or if they've been subject to investigation, been suspended or subject to conditions on their registration?

Honestly I think some people would do more checks into the background of a new puppy.

I had the names and information of surgeon (I chose him specifically) the team of anesthesiologists at the private hospital so I could research each one independently.

I had an English care coordinator who stayed with me the whole time and translated everything.

So were you able to do all the checks I mentioned?

No, my mum had a gastric bypass in Turkey and it was successful. Her friend had the same surgery about 3 months later, same hospital and same surgeon. She died due to complications from the surgery.

Never in a million years, I’ve got my weight off by healthy eating, still a little way to go, yep it’s hard if it was that easy everyone would be a healthy weight! I’m not hungry all the time or miserable! I’ve a friend that had gastric surgery and is suffering now with gut issues etc, I’m not saying anything would go wrong for you, but why take such a big risk!

I am a member of something called Slimpod. Its NHS recognised and works through what seems like mind magic!

On it, I have spoken to a lady who had a sleeve and although most weight at first then has put some back on because she never dealt with psyclogical issues around food.

I have started having counselling about my food habits as I am 20st and obviously need to lose weight. Between Slimpod and counselling, I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with weird binge eating.

OP A family member did this, all went ok. His wife decided to do it too. Developed a bad infection after she returned home. Sadly she died.
It is really not worth the risk.

Are you out of your mind? Weight loss surgery is not risk free. Having that bitched abroad is a terrible idea.

Have you spoken to your GP about options on the NHS? Depending on your height you would almost certainly qualify for high levels of support including medications and surgery if needed.
Even without the financial aspect I’d much prefer to have it done on the NHS rather than privately abroad or in the UK - then the team who do the surgery can keep following you up (obviously this is an option if done privately but adds to the cost, they may retire etc).