Recently, more and more people have been struggling with obesity and overweight. They resort to different methods of losing weight such as diets, increased physical activity and exercise regime or even weight loss drugs. In a situation when all the known methods of reducing excess weight fail and the desired effects cannot be observed, the only way to achieve a long-term weight reduction is to undergo a bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery is a remedy not only for the obesity problem but also for any other harmful effects of being extremely overweight such as diabetes, heart diseases and cancer. The first and most important thing to do is finding the best bariatric procedure available such as gastric bypass Poland.
Why is it a good idea to undergo gastric bypass surgery in Poland? Because it is always a good idea to combine taking care of your health with something pleasant such as visiting a new tourism destination.
Medical Treatment Abroad
In the past, medical tourism referred to people who travelled from less-developed countries to the highly developed western countries where they were able to find modern clinics with the best equipment, doctors and innovative treatment methods unavailable in their countries. Bariatric surgeries, such as gastric bypass, are at the top of the list of such procedures. In the recent years, we can observe a reversed trend in medical tourism destinations. There is a growing popularity among patients in Western Europe to look for high-quality and affordable medical treatment services abroad in countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.
What makes gastric bypass surgery so effective?
During most weight loss surgeries, surgeons make adjustments to the digestive system including reducing of the size of the stomach which helps to feel full and satisfied after eating even a small portion of food. This proves to be the best option for people who often get annoyed by the need to keep a strict diet and an exercise regime for most of their lives and those who are constantly fighting with the feeling of hunger. There are various types of popular bariatric surgeries including gastric sleeve, gastric banding, gastric bypass and gastric balloon, but gastric bypass is a procedure that guarantees best results in long term weight loss.
Am I a good candidate for gastric bypass?
There are certain requirements doctors need to take into consideration when examining the patient before the gastric bypass procedure, but it is a good idea to check if you are a good candidate for this type of weight loss surgery before the visit. British National Health System (NHS) and the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) agree that:
- a patient should have BMI (Body Mass Index) of over 40 (you can use an online calculator to count your BMI)
- patients with BMI of 35-40 can be accepted as well if they suffer from a serious obesity related medical condition such as: type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure
- a patient needs to confirm that other methods of losing weight such as diet and physical activity did not bring satisfactory results
- a patient needs to be ready to introduce healthy lifestyle changes and healthy enough to undergo a surgery
How does gastric bypass work?
There are a few different types of gastric bypass surgeries but one of the most popular is the so-called roux-en-y gastric bypass. This procedure is usually performed using laparoscopic method, which is less invasive than a traditional open surgery. During this procedure, small incisions in the abdomen are made to reach the upper part of the stomach that needs to be stapled to form a small pouch, which usually is no larger than a thumb. Then, a part of the small intestine is reshaped to resemble a “Y” shape and attached to the created pouch. The stomach has now been bypassed and its size reduced. The patient can no longer eat big portions of food, because the small stomach pouch is not able to store it. The small intestine has also been bypassed, so less calories can be absorbed from the food during the digestion process. Eating more than recommended by the doctor is not a good idea, because the patient can feel sick and nauseous.
All these factors contribute to fast weight loss. It is possible for a person to lose 50% or more of the excess body weight within 18 months after the procedure. However, they cannot forget that the weight los results depend on keeping the post op diet and all the doctor’s recommendations. Also, the surgery is permanent and the changed in the digestive system are very difficult to reverse.
Gastric Bypass in Poland
People who decide to undergo gastric bypass surgery have 3 different options:
- They may have it refunded by the NHS if they fulfil all the additional requirements, such as losing 10% of the excess weight and quitting smoking. The waiting lists are usually long and there is no guarantee that after 12 months the procedure will be available.
- They can find a private clinic offering this kind of surgery. However, usually the cost of surgery in the UK is so high that most patients cannot afford it in their country.
- When options 1 and 2 are not what the patient is looking for, he/she can decide to undergo a weight loss surgery abroad, because gastric bypass method has become popular and available at the lower cost outside the UK.
Why should they choose Poland? The answer is simple – this country offers one of the best prices for gastric bypass surgery in Europe. The average price starts from 4000 GBP.
In the recent years, Poland has become one of the most attractive medical tourism destinations in Europe, especially when taking into account dental and bariatric procedures. Patients from the Western Europe often choose Poland because of the top-quality modern clinics in the biggest cities such as Warsaw, Cracow, Gdansk and Wroclaw. Patients may also use the services of accredited medical agencies which help to find the best all-inclusive treatment packages.
Medical tourism is also a great opportunity to spend some time sightseeing and visiting the most beautiful Polish cities such as Cracow, Warsaw, Wroclaw or Gdansk as well as other attractions. “Lose weight and travel” option is something that any person planning to undergo a bariatric surgery should take into consideration.