Has anyone been to turkey for a gastric band?

atravelnovice · 2022-04-16T08:22:35+00:00

Hi all, I know this isn't a AIBU but the traffic here is good and I was wondering if anyone could share their experience here. I'd like the know the good the bad and the ugly and what it's like afterwards. I'm 27, 5'7 and 17st - I'm pregnant and would like to have this surgery once the babies born (when it's okay to) so just wanted to ask for some experiences please Thank you

ThinWomansBrain · 16/04/2022 09:35

Not had one - here or Turkey, but a colleague did. My undrestanding is that while you may have to wait for NHS, or pay more to go private in the UK (assuming that you're based here), there is a lot of counselling and supervision attached, so that you are in the right frame of mind, suitable for the procedure, and understand and accept the restraints and principles of life once the band is fitted.
The colleague also had a network of contacts from that preparation phase that she could call on, and a series of follow up appointments.

Will you get that from an procedure done cheaply in Turkey? (assume finance is the reason that you're looking at this option)
If it goes wrong, will you expect the NHS to leap in, escalate you to the top of the queue and sort out any problems?

I think the 5 year failure rate is around 50% - and that is in the UK, with backup and preparation.

Original poster

atravelnovice · 16/04/2022 09:42

@ThinWomansBrain

Not had one - here or Turkey, but a colleague did. My undrestanding is that while you may have to wait for NHS, or pay more to go private in the UK (assuming that you're based here), there is a lot of counselling and supervision attached, so that you are in the right frame of mind, suitable for the procedure, and understand and accept the restraints and principles of life once the band is fitted. The colleague also had a network of contacts from that preparation phase that she could call on, and a series of follow up appointments.

Will you get that from an procedure done cheaply in Turkey? (assume finance is the reason that you're looking at this option)
If it goes wrong, will you expect the NHS to leap in, escalate you to the top of the queue and sort out any problems?

I think the 5 year failure rate is around 50% - and that is in the UK, with backup and preparation.

I am looking for it in Turkey as it's a lot cheaper however I will be paying for it out of savings and not looking at finance.

No, I wouldn't expect the NHS to bail me out if something went wrong as we all know the NHS is on its knees and actually won't help me with existing problems (which has contributed to my weight gain).

I have some time before I'm looking into it which is why I'm asking for experiences of others to make an informed decision.

Thank you for making me aware of how they do it in the uk.

OP posts:

AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 16/04/2022 09:47

Gastric bands are not performed anymore, even in Turkey. It would either be a Gastric sleeve or bypass/mini bypass. If you're on Facebook I suggest you join this group, there are lots of people who have been to Turkey or Egypt for the surgery who will be able to give you advice

ThinWomansBrain · 16/04/2022 09:49

www.healthierweight.co.uk/blog/why-is-weight-loss-surgery-cheaper-in-turkey/

Justkeeppedaling · 16/04/2022 09:50

No, I wouldn't expect the NHS to bail me out if something went wrong as we all know the NHS is on its knees and actually won't help me with existing problems (which has contributed to my weight gain).

So what would you do then, if you had post op complications?

Original poster

atravelnovice · 16/04/2022 09:52

@Justkeeppedaling

No, I wouldn't expect the NHS to bail me out if something went wrong as we all know the NHS is on its knees and actually won't help me with existing problems (which has contributed to my weight gain).

So what would you do then, if you had post op complications?

According to the link that's been posted you aren't covered anyway so I guess I'd just die?

It's either dying of that or obesity I suppose.

OP posts:

Lubeyboobyalt · 16/04/2022 09:56

came to say absolutely do not get a band, they are awful for slipping and problems, but I see someone said they are not done anymore which is great

my mum had a bypass and has reversed her type 2 diabetes and done amazingly well

when I was researching to understand it and support her, I found an excellent community on instagram if you search any of the hashtags #vsg #bypass #gastricsleeve #wls etc you'll find very informative stuff, support, realistic experiences and info on making the decision between bypass and vsg

Luredbyapomegranate · 16/04/2022 09:57

I can tell you that that the BAPRS (one of the UK’s main plastic surgery associations) has said that 100% of the botched surgeries its members fixed in 2021 were done in Turkey. And separately surgery fixes for eg a bum lift cost the NHS about 25k on average.

It works out ok for some people of course, but don’t kid yourself that the safeguarding in Turkey is the same as the UK.

Similarly don’t kid yourself the NHS won’t be bailing you out if it does go wrong. Of course it will.

I’d honestly save up a bit longer and get it done in the UK.

freeandfierce · 16/04/2022 09:58

Why not go for a gastric balloon? Far less invasive and expensive.

Newnormal99 · 16/04/2022 09:59

You need to understand the root cause of the over eating. If it's psychological a bypass won't solve it and could end up in other behaviours. I speak from experience with a family member.

Justkeeppedaling · 16/04/2022 09:59

According to the link that's been posted you aren't covered anyway so I guess I'd just die?

You wouldn't die. The NHS would step in.

It's up to you, but as other people have said, there's a reason(s) why it's cheaper in Turkey.

Sofasogood1 · 16/04/2022 10:01

Don't get a band - they're shit. Get a sleeve. I know three friends who've had them and no complications. Two of us in the UK, two in Turkey and they were fine. Personally I didn't want to go abroad and I purposefully chose a hospital in the UK who had ICU capabilities in case something went wrong. Most private hospitals will ship you off to the nhs if something goes wrong, whatever the op.

I'd suck up the cost and get it done here personally. I wouldn't wait for the NHS, you'll be waiting years.

ukborn · 16/04/2022 14:24

Didnt I just read that 100% of operations (mostly cosmetic) that either left the patient dead, disfigured or requiring several more corrective operations (here) were done in Turkey? Do your research very very carefully.

BlanketsBanned · 16/04/2022 14:27

Dont do it, there is a programme on about the awful complications, infections, open wounds, you cant get insurance and the good old nhs will have to fix the damage and deny others who are on waiting lists..

Itsallaboutthebenjamins · 16/04/2022 14:30

Your attitude is weird for someone with kids/about to have their first kid. You think your choices are go and get dodgy surgery done and highly risk death or stay obese and die of that. What about all the other million options? If youve got savings get a personal trainer/dietician etc etc.

Lifesonebigparty · 16/04/2022 14:38

Gastric bypass isn't a miracle worker. Its just a tool to aid the weight loss. You'll need to prove you can change your diet yourself first. You'll never be able to eat a huge amount again. You'll need to look at the side effects, which includes nausea. You can also stretch the band which makes the surgery pointless. I'd you're ready to change your life and eat better, then you can do it on your own.

I wouldn't recommend getting it done abroad. Its a complicated procedure and you won't get the same aftercare as what you'd get over here. You pay for what you get.

GingerFoxInAT0phat · 16/04/2022 14:43

I know 3 people who have had a sleeve/bypass done in Turkey and my close friend who had it done in Egypt. All of them are glad they did it, and look good. I wouldn’t dare do it, but I can see why people do.

toomanydogsandcats · 16/04/2022 14:47

Don't listen to people saying turkey isn't safe. Pot calling the kettle black in a country that literally kills people through medical neglect. I have had a vertical gastric sleeve at Irmet, landed Monday, surgery Tuesday morning, home Thursday and back at work on Sunday. I know so so many people who have done this, it is not a big deal. I have also had other cosmetic procedures there, I live a sort flight away, and I used to be a nurse specialist so I do actually have some knowledge of this. It really is no big deal and mainly ignorant snobbery when people slag it off. When someone who has actually been there says something fine. Join Facebook barbaric groups and you will see hundreds of people doing this every day.

toomanydogsandcats · 16/04/2022 14:47

Bariatric...crappy new phone

toomanydogsandcats · 16/04/2022 14:48

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70kid · 16/04/2022 15:08

I have had a GS abroad - not Turkey and so did 3 of my friends
It is only a tool once you have lost a certain amount around 18 months - 2 years post op you will have to work a bit at keeping it off and not falling back into bad habits
You will lose a shit load of weight initially then you tend to find that last half a stone will probably take forever and ever .

I’m 6 years post op and I only needed to loose 3 stone initially but it was three stone that I had lost and gained constantly .
I lost 2.5 stone pretty much within 2 -3 months
The bloody last half a stone - refused to budge
It’s only in the last month or so strangely that it’s fell off me almost like it did when I originally had the GS iIm actually under my original goal weight atm

BlanketsBanned · 16/04/2022 15:09

@toomanydogsandcats

Don't listen to people saying turkey isn't safe. Pot calling the kettle black in a country that literally kills people through medical neglect. I have had a vertical gastric sleeve at Irmet, landed Monday, surgery Tuesday morning, home Thursday and back at work on Sunday. I know so so many people who have done this, it is not a big deal. I have also had other cosmetic procedures there, I live a sort flight away, and I used to be a nurse specialist so I do actually have some knowledge of this. It really is no big deal and mainly ignorant snobbery when people slag it off. When someone who has actually been there says something fine. Join Facebook barbaric groups and you will see hundreds of people doing this every day.

Looking at facebook barbaric groups probably wont fill me with great confidence. There are many many stories of surgery complcations and recently a doctor was arrested, its on news websites. Its not bollocks and if you really were a nurse you would know this.

toomanydogsandcats · 16/04/2022 15:16

Do you want to see my qualifications? FFS it's a shit job, hardly a chapter I cherish. Would anyone lie about being a nurse? Its hardly brainiac job of the year

BlanketsBanned · 16/04/2022 15:20

Yes, people do lie about being a nurse.

toomanydogsandcats · 16/04/2022 15:23

That's the saddest thing I ever heard of, if youvare going to lie, at least make up something which requires a levels