Comparing the costs of obesity treatment abroad

One of the biggest attractions of obesity treatment abroad is the price, but how do you know if you are getting a good deal? How should you go about comparing the cost of obesity treatment in different countries, and what factors should you consider when making those comparisons? Perhaps most importantly of all, how can you be sure that the savings you make by travelling abroad for obesity treatment are worth the risk of having such treatment away from home?

Obesity treatment abroad can be less costly

There is no doubt that significant savings can be made by travelling abroad for obesity surgery. Clearly the further you travel, the higher the cost of flights and transfers, but often this increase is offset by low priced local accommodation and living costs. You should always remember to fully price up the total cost of your trip, rather than simply comparing clinic costs at home with obesity surgery costs abroad.

What is included in the price?

Obesity surgery is much more complex than the dental work or cosmetic procedures that many people travel abroad for, and so you should pay close attention to exactly what is included in your package price. For example, you will need a thorough consultation, the services of an anaesthesiologist, drugs and theatre time. You will also need one or more nights in hospital following your surgery, regular reviews by your surgeon and pain medication and nutritional supplements afterwards.

For gastric band surgery, you will also need the gastric band itself. It is worth reading up on this technology to ensure that your surgical team are using the best product available and not compromising on quality to save money.

What extras do you need to consider?

Given the serious nature of obesity surgery, you will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult and you need to add the cost of their transport and accommodation to your calculations. You will both need a hotel for the duration as your companion will need to remain at the hotel while you are in hospital.

You also need to consider a contingency fund to cover any extra costs if there are complications that involve a longer stay. Even something as simple as a gastric balloon can have complications that involve extra nights in hospital and therefore extra hotel nights for your companion.

Many clinics will offer all-inclusive packages for obesity surgery abroad. This will include flights, airport pick up, and accommodation for two people, as well as all your medical costs. These packages are often worth considering as the clinics can access special rates with local hotels that may not be available to you directly.

Follow up treatment after obesity surgery abroad

Aftercare is a very important factor in obesity surgery and you should always ask what arrangements are included in the price you have been quoted. Ideally, you should have direct access to your surgeon, or a similarly qualified expert, for around two years following your operation, as well as comprehensive nutritional and lifestyle advice that you can access online or by telephoning the clinic.

Aftercare is an expensive part of the procedure, and it is not uncommon for clinics abroad to cut back on this aspect to reduce their costs. The press has highlighted stories of patients who have received little or no aftercare following their surgery, and suffered unnecessarily as a result. If you are not satisfied with the aftercare plans, choose another clinic.

Will you need plastic surgery?

A significant cost that is often overlooked by patients undergoing obesity surgery abroad is the cost of plastic surgery to remove excess skin following weight loss.

If your treatment is as successful as you hope, you will inevitably need some cosmetic work done as a result, and you should make sure you take these costs into account. If you use your entire budget on your weight loss surgery abroad, and do not leave enough for this essential follow up, then you could be left feeling as bad about your body as you did before the operation.

Are the savings worth the risk?

Safety is by far the most important factor of all when it comes to obesity surgery abroad, and it is simply not worth compromising this just to save money. It is no exaggeration to say that your life is at risk if you are in the hands of a poor quality or inexperienced surgeon, or if the clinic does not meet the strictest hygiene standards. You need to consider these risks carefully when choosing obesity surgery abroad.

If you do your research carefully, choosing a reputable surgeon and clinic that is not too far from home, it is possible to have a very good experience. Having a successful procedure if you are very overweight can literally save your life and then give you your life back. By taking the opportunity to have private obesity surgery abroad before your weight becomes completely out of control can be an empowering step forward.