Privately Funded Bariatric (weight loss) Surgery

If you are thinking about having bariatric surgery done privately either in the UK or abroad (not with the NHS) you need to be aware that not all bariatric centres offer a complete service, and this could cause difficulties for your care. You need to secure a 2 year post-operative package with your chosen provider. Whilst the NHS will provide emergency care, routine care, including nutritional monitoring and blood tests should be included in the package.

Key details regarding bariatric surgery abroad: · Follow-up Care: NICE (CG189) and British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS) guidelines recommend specialist, multidisciplinary team (MDT) follow-up for a minimum of two years. Patients who go abroad are advised to ensure their package includes this, as GPs are not expected to provide it.

· NHS Coverage: The NHS does not routinely fund the follow-up or revision surgery for procedures done privately abroad.

· Safe Practice: Patients are advised to ensure their chosen provider offers comprehensive pre-operative assessment and long-term care.

· Safety Advice: The British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS) advises that post-operative care should remain with the bariatric centre for at least two years post-surgery.

· Emergency Care: The NHS will always provide emergency care for complications arising from surgery abroad.

· Post-2-Year Care: Once the initial two-year private follow-up is complete, patients can access standard NHS support via their GP, similar to patients who had NHS-funded surgery.