Weight Loss Surgery Costs in the UK & Abroad

Weight loss surgery costs have become more affordable in recent years. The range of treatments on offer have helped many patients to take life-changing steps in tackling their weight. However, taking back control through a weight loss treatment — often referred to as bariatric surgery — can still be costly, especially if you’re unsure about which country and doctor to choose.

This is where Qunomedical comes in. We’re here to help you to find high-quality treatment, at a price that’s affordable for you. Below, we’ve put together a dedicated weight loss surgery cost guide in which we aimed to answer all your questions around bariatric surgery costs and the prices involved in each individual treatment.

Weight Loss Surgery Costs and Types Available Overview

Weight loss surgery, or bariatric surgery, refers to a group of medical procedures that reduce the size of various parts of the digestive tract to help patients lose weight.

There are different types of weight loss surgery, including gastric sleeve surgery, gastric band surgery, and gastric bypass surgery. A rather new way to lose weight non-invasively is by self-injecting semaglutide on a weekly basis. To get an overview of the different bariatric treatments and how they work, check out our weight loss surgery guide. Here you’ll find more detailed information about eligibility, the various bariatric procedures, risks, and expectations.

Weight loss surgery costs can be dependent on the treatment type and the location where the procedure is performed. Below, we’ve put together a list of starting costs for different countries below. Please keep in mind that these are not fixed or guaranteed and the final prices for each treatment may vary depending on each patient’s individual needs and medical history.

As we can see from the table above, weight loss surgery costs can vary greatly depending on the specific treatment and the country in which it’s performed. As a general overview though, we can see that treatments tend to be more expensive in places like the UK and US, than other European nations. This can provide patients with more affordable, realistic options for treatment when it’s too expensive in their home country. As well as this, NHS weight loss surgery waiting lists in the UK tend to be extremely long, with patients often having to wait at least 18 months to receive their treatment. Undergoing bariatric surgery abroad can significantly cut down these extensive waiting times.

Below, we’ve looked into bariatric surgery treatments in more detail, including how they work and how much they cost.

Gastric sleeve surgery costs can vary based on location, specific clinic prices, and the complexity of the surgery that’s performed. Below, we’ve put together an overview showing gastric sleeve surgery costs in a few different countries. These are not fixed and may change depending on different factors.

Gastric bypass surgery costs tend to be a little higher than seen for the gastric sleeve procedure. However, similarly to a gastric sleeve, they can vary significantly depending on where the treatment is performed.

Gastric band surgery costs tend to sit in between a gastric sleeve and a gastric bypass. As a reversible procedure it can also provide patients with a more temporary solution, if they’re unsure about undergoing a full, non-reversible weight loss treatment.

As a newer treatment, gastric plication surgery is not as readily available as other more established weight loss surgeries. However, costs for the treatment tend to be similar. Below, we’ve laid out a couple of starting prices.

Gastric balloon costs tend to be lower than all of the other weight loss surgery techniques. Therefore, it can be a great option for those looking for a temporary option before undergoing a more permanent bariatric procedure.

Weight Loss Surgery Costs: Package Options

There are a number of Qunomedical-approved clinics who offer convenient treatment packages for international patients. Below, we’ve put together an overview of some of the most popular clinics amongst past patients, for you to compare weight loss surgery prices and services offered. Bear in mind that the bariatric surgery costs shown below are purely informative — more accurate price quotes based on individual evaluations and treatment needs can be provided by a Qunomedical Patient Manager.

KCM Clinic - Jelenia Gora, Poland

KCM Clinic is a multi-disciplinary hospital that offers a wide range of treatments. The clinic is home to state of the art facilities and highly-experienced doctors and medical professionals. Dr. Grzegorz Kowalski, MD PhD for example, is a bariatric surgery specialist. Practicing since 2006, Dr. Kowalski has been awarded a number of impressive accreditations and boasts outstanding reviews from past patients.

Kardiolita Hospital - Vilnius, Lithuania

Named as the leading private general hospital in Lithuania, Kardiolita provides care to the highest industry standards. Established in 1998, Kardiolita now offers competitive weight loss surgery costs, as well as a comprehensive range of other treatments. Dr. Antanas Mickevičius, MD is a weight loss surgery expert at Kardiolita. Practicing since 1990, Dr. Mickevičius has performed a number of treatments such as gastric sleeve surgery, gastric bypass surgery, and gastric plication surgery.

The gastric balloon package includes: ✔ 1-night hospitalization, including meals and 24h nursing assistance ✔ 2-night hotel stay including breakfast ✔ All pre- and post-operative consultations and tests ✔ All medication administered in hospital along with anaesthesia ✔ Postoperative diet plan ✔ Personal patient coordinator ✔ Ground transfers during stay

The gastric balloon removal package includes: ✔ 2-night hotel stay including breakfast ✔ All pre- and post-operative consultations and tests ✔ All medication administered in hospital along with anaesthesia ✔ Personal patient coordinator ✔ Ground transfers during stay

Memorial Bahçelievler - Istanbul, Turkey

The Memorial Bahçelievler center offers expertise in a number of different areas, including weight loss surgery. The Memorial Hospital Group was the first in Turkey to become JCI-accredited, highlighting its exceptional standards of care. They also offer unique treatment packages for international patients that offer low weight loss surgery costs and make treatment journeys as straightforward and stress-free as possible.

The gastric balloon package includes: ✔ 3-night hotel stay including breakfast ✔ All pre- and post-operative consultations and tests ✔ All medication administered in hospital along with anaesthesia ✔ Postoperative diet plan ✔ Personal patient coordinator ✔ Ground transfers during stay

The gastric balloon package includes: ✔ 1-night hospitalization ✔ All pre- and post-operative consultations and tests ✔ All medication administered in hospital along with anaesthesia ✔ Ground transfers during stay

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric Surgery (also known as Weight Loss Surgery) is the umbrella term for a group of medical procedures that reduce the size/volume of various portions of the digestive tract to aid patients with weight loss. This is achieved by either restricting the intake of food by reducing the size of the stomach, or by restricting absorptive capacity by reducing the size of the small intestine. Bariatric Surgery is usually pursued by and/or prescribed to individuals with severe obesity, and potentially other co-existing medical conditions, for whom traditional diet and exercise programs have not been effective. Worldwide, obesity is defined by having a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30.

What is Body Mass Index?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a globally accepted measure of body fat based on the relationship between height and weight. It is important to consider that BMI alone is not a diagnostic of body fatness or the health of an individual; while it can be an effective screening tool to determine the weight category of an individual, there are other factors that need to be taken into consideration.

To calculate BMI = Weight in Kilograms / Height squared in Centimeters or weight (kg) ÷ height² (m²) BMI is universally expressed in kg/m².

The BMI Weight Categories are as follows:

• below 18.5 = Underweight

• 18.5 - 24.9 = Healthy

• 25 - 29.9 = Overweight

• 30 - 40 = Obese

• above 40 = Extremely Obese

Who is eligible for a Bariatric Surgery?

Qualification guidelines for bariatric surgery vary by country but generally, it can be recommended for any adult under the supervision of a medical professional who meets one of the following criteria:

• BMI greater than 40

• BMI greater than 35 with comorbidities linked to obesity, such as type II diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and/or heart disease

• BMI greater than 30 with serious health problems It is generally recommended that bariatric surgery be utilized as a last resort for individuals who have not been successful with diet and exercise programs, regardless of whether they have been on adjunctive drug therapy.

What kind of results can be expected from Bariatric Surgery?

The results of a bariatric surgery vary by individual patient, dependent on the starting weight, comorbidities, and type of surgery performed. On average, most patients lose 15% to 30% of their starting body weight in the first few months following bariatric surgery. In longitudinal studies of patients who have had bariatric surgery, most patients manage to keep the majority of the lost weight off, with the help of behavioral changes to diet and exercise habits. Although some weight gain over time is expected, the weight gained is usually minimal as compared to the initial weight loss.

While individual results vary based on lifestyle changes implemented post- surgery, the amount of weight lost after gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery is similar, while the amount of weight lost after gastric band surgery is much lower. Beyond the weight loss, most bariatric surgery patients also see positive changes in their obesity-related conditions post-surgery, including type II diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, knee/hip pain, etc., with some symptoms completely disappearing. Patients report higher levels of physical activity and mood improvements.

Life After Bariatric Surgery

There are several medical conditions that have been shown to improve or go away following a weight loss surgery, including asthma, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, orthopedic problems, migraines, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Weight loss surgery can change a person's life for the better and is sometimes the most effective option for many people who are dealing with obesity and obesity-related illnesses.

Many factors contribute to successful weight loss after bariatric surgery, including the patient’s ability to make lifestyle changes - such as a diet change and commit to constant exercise - and maintain them in the long term. Patients will receive a nutrition and lifestyle plan from their doctors with diet and post-operative guidelines that they are strongly encouraged to follow.

Lifestyle changes after a weight loss surgery

Diet change

The right bariatric diet after surgery typically includes a high-protein, low-carb diet, with a slow transition from pureed to solid foods. Vitamins and protein supplements will also be included in the diet to allow the body to function at its full potential, help avoid malnutrition and vitamin deficiency. Patients are also recommended to drink extra water (2 liters per day) and avoid high-calorie beverages. Patients may expect a moderate or sometimes dramatic change in their eating habits: snacking should be minimal, portion sizes small and food needs to be chewed thoroughly and slowly.

The new way of eating may seem overwhelming at first but most patients adjust to the new guidelines over time and make them part of their daily routine.

Consistent exercise regime

Exercise can help you lose more weight, give you energy, and feel better. Exercise after bariatric surgery is aimed at reinforcing endurance, flexibility and strength. Right after surgery, it is important to start slow and take slow walks for the first 6 weeks after surgery. You will gradually progress over the following weeks towards your own fitness goals, going from light exercise, to cardio, and strength training.

Daily exercise should become an integrating part of your life as it will not only support your weight loss but also improve your health overall.

What else shall I expect after surgery?

Most people experience no serious complications after surgery. There are a few common side effects that may arise, such as constipation, dumping syndrome (food rushes that can cause nausea, vomiting and sweats by filling up the pouch), gallstones, and wound infections.

Massive weight loss can result in loosening or sagging skin, and that is why many patients opt for post-bariatric body contouring surgery to improve their overall appearance. Surgery can typically be performed 12 to 18 months after surgery when a patient has lost significant weight and has adapted to lifestyle changes. Procedures include body lift, arm lift, thigh lift, and neck lift.

In terms of emotional challenges, some people may experience changes in their interpersonal relationships or hurdles with self-acceptance, due to the process of adjusting to their new body and new life. In order to maintain both physical and mental health, support groups and networks, counseling, and friends and family can help patients feel better and stay focused.

Bariatric surgery is a life-changing decision that can improve your life for the better. It is also important to stress that it takes intentional commitment to make weight loss really successful. That is why preparing for surgery extensively both on a physical and a psychological level is fundamental to ensure a great improvement in your life before, during, and after surgery.

Why Choose Qunomedical?

At Qunomedical, we put patients first, with no exceptions. We’re on a mission to revolutionise healthcare, by making it easier for everyone to access high-quality, affordable care, regardless of their background. Once in contact with us, one of our Patient Managers will be in touch to get your treatment journey underway. Whether you’re just looking for some extra information about weight loss surgery costs or are ready to book a treatment, we offer a 100% free, non-binding assessment. If you then choose to go forward and book a treatment, your Patient Manager will be with you every step of the way. From the initial consultations, through to your successful recovery.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting any treatments.