Last night, I went for a community walk to get some steps in for the ongoing My Life Every Step Counts for our local GAA club. Not knowing what I did, a random stranger talked as they walked beside me and told me a heart-wrenching story about a family member suffering after bariatric surgery abroad. (Something about me just invites people to tell me stories. btw – I’m not complaining. I love people and their stories!)
It was on my mind this morning – then this headline. HSE services are overwhelmed with complications from patients getting bariatric surgery abroad. Which is not actually news. At all.
Why? It’s not just the serious immediate problems: complications from anaesthesia or wound infection. It’s the serious long-term problems that come from having bariatric surgery without appropriate follow-up which include things that are common but aren’t talked about enough: substance misuse, alcohol dependence, and signicant depression.
I cannot say this enough:
Do not get a gastric balloon or gastric band from a cosmetic or aesthetic clinic. It will NOT actually work long-term and there is a high risk of problems long term.
Do NOT get bariatric surgery abroad.
While this is in part due to the failure of the HSE to have accessible and appropriate treatment for obesity, it still does not justify misleading patients or any of the predatory practices of medical tourism and aesthetic industries.
Let’s be very clear: Bariatric surgery – by experts, with follow-up – is the gold standard treatment of obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. When done to standard of care, it is very safe and an excellent treatment.
If you have had bariatric surgery abroad or a gastric device and have not had follow-up — in particular safety bloods checked — please make an appointment urgently with a doctor who is experienced in obesity medicine. Ask your GP for help with referral if needed.
0 Comments