New medical tourism guidelines for bariatric surgery
European recommendations aim to standardise safe practices across countries
Professional and patient organisations in Europe have put out a series of recommendations on safe weightloss surgery in response to the growing popularity of travelling overseas to undergo the procedure and the instances of inadequate or fraudulent care that in some cases ended up being fatal for patients.
The guidelines recommend that bariatric surgery, another name for weight-loss procedures, should be carried out only in accredited centres and by accredited surgeons. Staff delivering care should also be appropriately trained and certified.
In addition, the only surgeries that should be performed are those recognised by the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders( IFSO) or a national bariatric surgery society, while experimental procedures that are still under study shouldn’ t be offered to medical tourists.
The new guidelines also advise that surgeons who perform weight-loss procedures should provide followup care for two years after the operation and liaise with their patients’ doctors in home countries to ensure care is appropriate.
Of significant importance is that patients should receive information about the risks and benefits of the surgery, including the increased risk of having it away from their country before they go overseas. An independent translator should also be provided for patients if doctors don’ t speak their language.
The authors of the recommendations also advise against having the surgery abroad for people with a body mass index( BMI) of less than 30. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that is taken into account by doctors to determine which people are good candidates for weight-loss procedures.
The recommendations were set by stakeholders from the European Association for the Study of Obesity, IFSO European Chapter, and the European Coalition for People Living with Obesity.
“ Across Europe, people living with obesity often wait several years, or lack access entirely, to obesity surgery in their home countries, prompting many to seek treatment abroad,” lead author Dr Laurence Dobbie, an academic clinical fellow in general practice at Kings College London, said in a press release.
“ Unfortunately, some of these providers fail to meet basic standards of care, resulting in serious injuries and, tragically, even death. These new guidelines – developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals and patients from across Europe – set out clear standards for obesity surgery in the medical tourism sector, with the aim of improving patient safety and preventing further harm.”
Long waiting times are perhaps the main reason a growing number of people is willing to undergo surgery away from home.
The Royal College of Surgeons of England( RCSEng) says that patients in the UK on the waiting list for bariatric surgery may have to wait up to three to four years before they can undergo the operation.“ This delay can be physically and mentally debilitating for patients, with obesity-related conditions worsening in the interim.”
As a result, the RCSEng added, people who can pay out of pocket opt for having the procedure in private centres where costs can range from £ 10,000 to £ 15,000( US $ 12,500 to 19,000). It’ s understandable, therefore, that many would seek care in countries like Turkey, where costs for the same procedure can be as low as £ 2,500 to £ 4,500( US $ 3,150 to 5,700).
GlobalHealthAsiaPacific. com ISSUE 1 | 2025
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