Why is weight loss surgery cheaper in Turkey? - Healthier Weight (2024)

“Why is weight loss surgery cheaper in Turkey?” is a question that we come across on a regular basis. We have published on this topic so many times and our response is always the same. Medical equipment and standards simply aren’t as highly regulated in Turkey as they are in the UK and EU countries. As Turkey isn’t part of the EU, they do not comply with the strict guidelines that we see in countries like France and Germany. You might be able to save a bit of cash, but the risks of a cut-price procedure greatly outweigh the benefits. It is unlikely you will be covered if a complication were to arise, you are not protected by the CQC or EU law, and in many cases, there is no aftercarewhatsoever.

Take a look at some other EU countries before jumping on the quickest flight to Turkey. There are fantastic bariatric surgeons in Germany, France and the Netherlands. The best in these countries might cost closer to £20k and availability is very limited. Dr Bruno Dillemans is a great example of a top surgeon who’s performed over 10,000 procedures. His Center of Obesity in Belgium is a world-renowned practice and adheres to the highest standards of care.

The best surgeons overseas are more expensive than the UK and less available, this speaks volumes about the importance of a high-quality procedure and a robust, lifetime aftercare package as opposed to the in-and-out culture that we see in Turkey. Surgeons in Turkey seem to be able to carry out lots of procedures, but many of them go wrong.

When you have weight loss surgery with a trusted UK provider, you are paying for a high-quality procedure carried out by some of the most experienced and renowned bariatric surgeons in the world. You are paying for a comprehensive aftercare package and will be covered should any unfortunate complications arise. And most importantly, you are not just a patient, you are a patient for life.

We see news story after news story of people travelling abroad to countries like Turkey for weight loss and cosmetic surgery only to come back to the UK to find out something was “botched” as the papers like to put it. But without any aftercare, where do they go? In most cases, straight to A&E, putting even more strain on an NHS that’s already on its knees.

Just this week, the BBC released an investigation that found a cosmetic surgery company based in Turkey were offering a social media influencer free procedures in return for positive reviews. The investigation found that a number of women in the UK, mainly from BAME backgrounds, were left with life-changing conditions after returning home from having a procedure of their own. The influencer even admitted her own surgery was “botched” after she was left with lumps on her thighs. Watch the BBC investigation here.

At Healthier Weight, we pride ourselves on the quality of our bariatric surgeons, dedicated nurses and devoted patient care team. All of our reviews are genuine, from real people who have had their procedure with us. We actively seek new reviewers and are proud to be rated “excellent” out of nearly 700 reviews on Trustpilot. You can read some of our reviews here.

Weight loss surgery should change your life by helping you lose weight and allowing you to rediscover who you are, not by leaving you with permanent health conditions. We will never condone going abroad for a procedure that requires so much more than what these countries can offer. Learn more about the risks of going abroad for weight loss surgery below.

Blog: The Risks of Travelling Abroad for Weight Loss Surgery

Before choosing where to have your procedure, it’s important that you ask yourself the following:

• Are all surgical instruments single use?
• Are the surgeons undergoing regular appraisals?
• Is their data available on the public domain?
• Do they publish their outcomes?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, you may want to consider the risks that you are taking. After reading yet another horror story in the news this week, is it really worth it?

If you’re looking to start your own weight loss journey in 2021, we’re here for you. Why not call the Healthier Weight team on 0800 313 4618? Get some information on the surgical and non-surgical treatment options available, or Get a Quote below.