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Original poster

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

179 replies

Lordofthebutterfloofs · 04/02/2023 18:35

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

OP posts:
daretodenim · 04/02/2023 20:34

My friend was in hospital in France for a routine op (he's French). In the bed next to him was a 30 year old guy who'd had weight loss surgery in France. It went wrong and he was back in hospital..having just had his stomach removed. It was absolutely horrendous. The guy was suicidal as a result of the complications.

You really don't want to do this operation abroad. The price difference is in no way worth the risk. And that's after really researching whether you want to take this risk in the first place. It's a serious risk and not one to decide on a whim. Well, you can of course, but you then risk a life of discovering the consequences. Better to know them first and then decide.

QOD · 04/02/2023 20:35

Do it in the U.K. I’ve had surgery abroad when taken ill on holiday. Never been so fucking scared in my life.
everyone spoke pigeon english and just so terrified I would die

Theeaglesoared · 04/02/2023 20:37

In your position OP, yes I probably would. But I would try Ozempic first.

KendrickLamaze · 04/02/2023 20:48

Forget the surgery and it's complications. It won't magically fix your brain and tour attitude to food. You will still feel the same way and have that same struggle. With love, from someone else who struggles Flowers

Whycanineverever · 04/02/2023 20:50

Speaking from personal experience of a relative - if the overeating is a product of mental health issues and being used as a way to cope then surgery will potentially leave you in a far worse place than before.

BMW6 · 04/02/2023 20:53

OP have you tried eating lots more protein but cutting out carbs?

I lost three stone doing that and didn't get the bad hunger pangs at all.

Surgery (in UK) would be only considered if my life was in imminent danger. I wouldn't consider going abroad for a second.

StuckInTheUpsideDown · 04/02/2023 20:56

How high is your BMI?

I would definitely look into Ozempic and Saxenda first as far less invasive options.

tartlets · 04/02/2023 20:57

I did it, I've lost over 8 stone in 8 months, I'm now a healthy BMI and size 8-10 for the first time in my adult life. I can now walk miles a day with the dog, keep up with the kids and I'm healthy.

Research the surgeon, most clinics will have patient Facebook groups. Plane-fulls of people go over to turkey for surgery every day.

I had not one complication, neither have any of the girls I was there with and we all keep in touch. Aftercare was better than I've ever had via NHS.

Good luck with whatever you choose Smile

Original poster
Lordofthebutterfloofs · 04/02/2023 20:58

StuckInTheUpsideDown · 04/02/2023 20:56

How high is your BMI?

I would definitely look into Ozempic and Saxenda first as far less invasive options.

Either 46 or 48 last time I checked.

OP posts:
Mummyof287 · 04/02/2023 20:59

Someone I heard of locally went to have cosmetic surgery, breast implants I think, in Turkey, she was only young.Sadly it went wrong and she never came home :(

Dreamscomingtrue · 04/02/2023 20:59

My friend in NZ’s best friend had this surgery, couldn’t stop loosing weight.
Ended up in hospital on a drip to supply her with nutrients because she was suffering from malnutrition. She nearly died, my friend was obviously upset about it & said to me that she’d never have this type of operation. I’ve seen other horror stories on tv, not just in Turkey. But it would worry me flying back after a major operation and the possibility of a lack of aftercare.

TheWy · 04/02/2023 21:00

tartlets · 04/02/2023 20:57

I did it, I've lost over 8 stone in 8 months, I'm now a healthy BMI and size 8-10 for the first time in my adult life. I can now walk miles a day with the dog, keep up with the kids and I'm healthy.

Research the surgeon, most clinics will have patient Facebook groups. Plane-fulls of people go over to turkey for surgery every day.

I had not one complication, neither have any of the girls I was there with and we all keep in touch. Aftercare was better than I've ever had via NHS.

Good luck with whatever you choose Smile

Yes there was a group of 10 of us and not 1 issue.

ACynicalDad · 04/02/2023 21:00

I wouldn’t risk medical tourism and if I did Turkey works be low on the list.

WeeOrcadian · 04/02/2023 21:01

Having had WLS in the UK, I wouldn't go abroad, save more and have it done here.

anonymousMuse · 04/02/2023 21:02

If you're prepared to pay the NHS for sorting you out when it all goes wrong then go for it. Otherwise, no.

Paturday · 04/02/2023 21:02

Absolutely not but I wouldn’t have weight loss surgery in the uk either. I just know I would end up with long term pain, complications etc, don’t want to run that risk.

SwordToFlamethrower · 04/02/2023 21:02

I went to Turkey for ivf and I'm sat here nursing the result. So yes!

Paturday · 04/02/2023 21:04

Lordofthebutterfloofs · 04/02/2023 20:58

Either 46 or 48 last time I checked.

Show quote history

Ozempic etc you’re just going to put all the weight back on ultimately. Do lots and lots of research about the studies they did on ozempic.

TheWy · 04/02/2023 21:08

anonymousMuse · 04/02/2023 21:02

If you're prepared to pay the NHS for sorting you out when it all goes wrong then go for it. Otherwise, no.

And if I didn't go Turkey and then had years of thyroid, diabetes treatments. Sleep apnoea. All would have been on the NHS.

I was on a cocktail of drugs for pain due to pressure on my joints and knees. Not to mention the years of antidepressants, appointments relating to that. All stopped now.

The weightloss clinics attended, they offered to pay for WW. They also offered to pay for a gym membership. (had done both myself unsuccessfully)

And then the cost of the 12 month weightloss programme. The saxenda they wnated to try first on NHS (again paid for that myself to try)

And then eventually the cost of the surgery itself would have been thousands.

By going to Turkey and having it done privately I've removed myself as a drain on the NHS due to my weight. My past issues and future ones that would have arisen.

TheWy · 04/02/2023 21:09

SwordToFlamethrower · 04/02/2023 21:02

I went to Turkey for ivf and I'm sat here nursing the result. So yes!

Aww congratulations

TheWy · 04/02/2023 21:12

I wouldn't encourage someone to go to Turkey to get WLS. I wouldn't encourage anyone to do it.

But as a last resort I can tell people what it did for me and how happy I am now and that I don't regret a second of it.

I wish I would have been able to do it without surgery but I tried for almost 17 years.

It was my last attempt at happiness and it paid off.

For every 'my friend had complications' you'll hear theyll be hundreds of people who have gone quietly, had it done, it's worked and they're happy now but don't announce it to everyone. It's much more likely people will talk about something if it's gone even slightly wrong.

StressedToTheMaxxx · 04/02/2023 21:18

Magenta65 · 04/02/2023 18:37

What’s the price difference? Can be done for working £6k here. I would avoid Turkey. Lack of aftercare and follow up nutrition help etc. heard nothing but horror stories

What would 6k cover? Tummy tuck? Gastric band? A TT is something I'm looking into but no hospital/clinic appear to be very transparent with their prices.

Ohifyouinsist · 04/02/2023 21:23

tartlets · 04/02/2023 20:57

I did it, I've lost over 8 stone in 8 months, I'm now a healthy BMI and size 8-10 for the first time in my adult life. I can now walk miles a day with the dog, keep up with the kids and I'm healthy.

Research the surgeon, most clinics will have patient Facebook groups. Plane-fulls of people go over to turkey for surgery every day.

I had not one complication, neither have any of the girls I was there with and we all keep in touch. Aftercare was better than I've ever had via NHS.

Good luck with whatever you choose Smile

Patient Facebook groups are no way to research surgeons. I say that as someone who worked in operating theatres for years, and then worked recruiting hospital consultants, with all the stringent processes and checks that entails.

TheWy · 04/02/2023 21:24

StressedToTheMaxxx · 04/02/2023 21:18

What would 6k cover? Tummy tuck? Gastric band? A TT is something I'm looking into but no hospital/clinic appear to be very transparent with their prices.

Show quote history

It's not 6k here for a sleeve. It at least 9k/10k. Can you show me where its 6?

I was considering going to Lithuania for a 'mummy make over' but just going to deal with my body now. That was 5k for tummy tuck, breast lift/implants and lipo.

Magenta65 · 04/02/2023 21:30

Family member had a gastric bypass last year for £6k in England. Had amazing after care and is looking great. Unsure about tummy tucks etc @StressedToTheMaxxx @TheWy