Bariatric Surgery in United Kingdom

Bariatric surgery is a group of weight-loss surgeries that involves making changes to the digestive system, some of which are non-reversible. The idea behind these types of surgeries is to help patients lose weight by either limiting the amount of food they can consume/digest at any one time or reducing their body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Some procedures do both. 

Bariatric surgeries should only ever be the final option when diet and exercise have proved inadequate and there are now serious health concerns caused by a person's weight. In general, these surgeries can only be an option for patients whose body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (extreme obesity). In certain cases, patients whose BMI is 30 to 39.9 may qualify for certain types of bariatric surgery if they have serious weight-related problems, such as type 2 diabetes.

The three most common types of Bariatric Surgeries are as follows:

1. Gastric Sleeve – The most common surgery, in which about 80% of the stomach is irreversibly removed, resulting in a sleeve or tube-like structure. This smaller stomach will not be able to hold as much food and produces less of the hormone that regulates appetite (ghrelin), which can lessen the patient’s desire to eat. 
2. Gastric Bypass – A more complicated procedure in which the stomach is divided into two parts; a small upper pouch and a large lower ‘remnant’ pouch. The small intestine is rearranged to bypass the large pouch. As a result, the volume of the stomach is significantly reduced. This causes food to go into the small upper pouch of the stomach and then directly into the small intestine. The small upper pouch can only hold around an ounce of food. Gastric Bypass is typically not reversible. 
3. Gastric Band – Involves an inflatable silicone device that is fitted around the top portion of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch. This procedure causes the patient to feel fuller with less food but still allows the body to digest food as usual, without malabsorption. The device can be removed when the patient reaches their desired weight.

The bariatric surgeries mentioned above are typically performed laparoscopically, in which the surgeon creates around one to five small incisions in the abdomen to insert a laparoscope (a long narrow tube with a camera) and surgical tools. The patients are usually given a general anesthetic, so they will not feel anything throughout the surgery.

How Long Should I Stay in United Kingdom?

After bariatric surgery, an overnight stay in the hospital is usually required. In some cases, you may need to stay longer (around 3 to 5 days). However, it is not advisable to leave United Kingdom as soon as you are discharged from the hospital. Stay at least 10 to 14 days following your surgery for initial recovery and follow-up checkups. During the follow-up checkups, your surgeon will remove your stitches and check your overall condition.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

The recovery time may take around 3 to 6 weeks until you are allowed to go back to your normal activities, including work, with some restrictions. You must avoid heavy work and strenuous activities, such as lifting, pushing, or carrying heavy loads for at least the first three months after surgery. You should also avoid sitting and standing without moving for long periods to avoid blood clots forming in your legs.

What Aftercare is Required?

You will be given a special diet plan immediately after your surgery, as well as detailed post-operative instructions. Make sure to follow the diet plan and instructions to avoid complications and speed up your recovery. In order to maximize and maintain weight loss, it is important that you commit to healthy eating and regular exercise. There may be restrictions on how much food you can consume. You may also need to change your eating habits, such as eating 6 small meals instead of 3 large meals each day. You should take vitamins and mineral supplements to ensure proper nutrition. 

What's the Success Rate?

The success rates vary for each of the different types of bariatric surgery. In general, within the first six months following the surgery, most patients lose around 30% to 55% of their excess weight. Then, as early as 12 months after surgery, most patients lose over 70% of their excess weight. Patients could also maintain a 50% to 60% loss of excess weight for 10 to 14 years after their bariatric surgery. Although the success rates are high, there are risks associated with bariatric surgery, such as bleeding, deep vein thrombosis, infections, spleen injury, stenosis, and infections.

Are there Alternatives?

There is a non-surgical Bariatric procedure, known as the Gastric Balloon. This involves an inflatable device that is temporarily inserted into the stomach via endoscopic placement. A sizable area of the stomach is obstructed by the balloon or balloons, thus reducing the amount of food it can contain at any one time, leading to eventual weight loss. The balloons are usually removed after 6 or 12 months. 

If you cannot or do not want to undergo any surgery or medical procedure, you may be able to work with a doctor who is experienced in treating extreme obesity and a dietician as the alternative. They may recommend you to change your diet, adding physical activity, and prescribe medications.

Bariatric Surgery in and around United Kingdom

About the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy comprising much of the British Isles. This Union is more than 300 years old and comprises four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It occupies all of the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern portion of the island of Ireland, and most of the remaining British Isles. The UK is an island nation but shares an open land border with Ireland. The UK has a population of 65 million people, the capital and largest city is London.

The United Kingdom welcomes an ever-increasing number of medical tourists each year, many of which travel for Bariatric Surgery procedures. The government provides all British citizens free or low-cost care under the NHS, also known as the National Health System, leaving a small private sector for routine operations, which caters to people that do not want to wait in line for elective procedures or are not citizens or residents of the Islands. 

Popular Parts of United Kingdom

Made up of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom is filled with vibrant cities and tranquil countryside.

• England is home to London, United Kingdom’s largest city and capital which also serves as its financial center. Today, the country continues to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Although most tourists stay in London, the country actually has a plethora of attractions spread all over its cities. Tourists can check out Buckingham Palace, visit the Tower of London, explore Stonehenge, relax on the beach in Brighton, hike Hadrian’s Wall, or go museum hopping.
• Scotland is popular for its welcoming locals, beautiful parks, ancient architecture, spectacular lochs and mountains, and delightful whiskey. Its vast wilderness area is a great place to have some fantastic outdoor adventures. The country is rich in history and culture, which is evident in its hundreds of castles and historical sites. It also has glorious cities, such as Edinburgh, a city filled with parks, museums, cobblestone streets, and pubs.
• Wales might be tiny, but this green country offers countless opportunities for its inhabitants and visitors to escape into nature. The country is mainly mountainous, making it a hiker’s paradise. Its higher peaks lie in the north and central areas, including the famous Snowdon. Not only widely-known for its lush greenery, but the country is also a wonderful beach destination. In the summer, families will fill up the beaches to soak up the sun and kids will be running around in the sand. Wales’s beautiful landscape is complemented by stunning castles which should not be missed by any visitors.
• Northern Ireland is often overlooked by tourists, but once they arrive, they will be surprised by its serene scenery, friendly people, and scrumptious food scene.  Giant’s Causeway, the country’s only UNESCO World Heritage site, has been attracting visitors from all around the world. It is a remarkable hexagonal-stone formation with an interesting magical tales behind it. Another popular attraction is the Titanic Belfast, a museum that provides nine galleries where visitors can discover the Titanic story. Visitors will be able to learn about the ship’s construction and get new insights into its disastrous demise.

Weather and Climate in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom enjoys a temperate climate and has plenty of rain all year round. Tourists can visit any time of year as it does not experience extreme weather. There is a great variety of changeable weather, but the overall weather and seasons are generally the same throughout this sovereign country. 

• The Spring months are from late March to early June and this season is known to be one of the best times to visit the United Kingdom because the weather is warming up and beautiful spring flowers are blooming and the temperatures range from 9 °C to 12 °C.
• Summer is from June to August and is the hottest season of the year but the temperatures rarely rise above 35 °C. Although rainfall will decrease during this season, prepare to find some rainy days. During this season, some cities like London experiences approximately 15 hours of sunshine.
• September to November is Autumn, and it has a variety of weather. The early months of September and October are still quite warm, but the temperatures will decrease in November. Typically, November is also the wettest month of the year.
• With an average temperature of 4 °C, Winter is the coldest season in the United Kingdom. The season can be wet and windy with frost and occasional snow. Winter also experiences minimal daylight. Despite the gloomy weather, it is an enjoyable time to visit the large cities because the tourist attractions are usually quieter and the cities can be very festive. 

Getting Around in the United Kingdom

There are plenty of airports in the United Kingdom, but the busiest and the largest airport is the London Heathrow Airport. It is the second busiest airport in the world after Dubai Airport. The airport has international connections with almost every country around the globe, including countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and North America. It also serves domestic flights which provide an easy way to travel around the United Kingdom. There are budget airlines that offer a more affordable option for those who want to get around by plane. 

The United Kingdom is very well connected by plane, train, and bus. The train is the most popular mode of transport and one of the most comfortable. Tickets can be booked online and it can be expensive, but most trains are equipped with air conditioning and sometimes Wi-Fi. There are two classes of train, the Standard Class and the First Class. Big cities and towns are usually connected by a regular bus service. The cost can be cheap, but the further you travel away from a city, the more expensive the cost. It is best to invest in an Oyster Card if you wish to travel by bus.

Taxis are available in most cities. There are two types of taxis; the metered taxis (painted in black) and private hire taxis (known as minicabs). The taxis should have a taxi-license displayed on the dashboard. The metered taxis can be hailed directly from the streets, while the minicabs have to be ordered via telephone. The minicabs are usually more affordable than the metered taxis because they operate on fixed prices and sometimes are even open to negotiation.

Tourist Visas in the United Kingdom

Citizens of the European Union can enter the United Kingdom without a visa. Additionally, British Nationals who are not European Union citizens and nationals of 56 countries can enter and stay for up to 180 days (90 days if they enter from the Republic of Ireland). Citizens of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE can obtain an online electronic visa waiver (EVW). Other nationals not listed in the visa-exempt for stays in the UK (including China and Russia) need to apply and obtain a visa before entering the country.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Pound sterling is the official currency (£). US$ 1 will get you £0.8.
2. Money & Payments: International ATMs that allow foreigners to withdraw cash directly from their home account can be found easily across the United Kingdom. Credit cards are accepted in restaurants, shops, and hotels (mostly Visa and MasterCard). Tipping varies between countries, but generally optional.
3. Local Language: English is the official language and spoken by approximately 98% of the population. A number of regional languages are also spoken (Welsh, Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Cornish). There are also people who will speak some foreign languages, mainly French, German, and Spanish.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Christianity is the most popular religion. However, more than 25% of the population follows no religion. Other religions such as Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, and Buddhism are in the minority.
5. Public Holidays: There is a variation of public holidays in the United Kingdom. Typically, the countries celebrate New Year’s Day and Christmas Day.