Private Bariatric Surgery

Information for patients considering private bariatric surgery

Patients who choose to have bariatric surgery privately (abroad or in the UK) are not entitled to NHS follow-up care for this condition unless they have completed the NHS tier 3 weight management programme prior to going down the private route.

In the first 2 years post bariatric surgery, people require specialist follow-up which cannot be provided by your GP. This should be provided by a specialist in post-bariatric surgery care.

The 2 year care package required after surgery includes;

• regular blood test monitoring after your operation over 2 years
• monitoring for any complications of surgery
• Ensuring a person is on the correct lifelong supplements to prevent deficiencies in the body as a result of the surgery.
• In certain situations, lifelong injectable medications are also required to prevent b12 deficiency (depending upon the surgery a person has).

Without continuing life-long supplements, people will become unwell over time.

Before embarking upon bariatric surgery it is important to understand the life-long follow-up care required to ensure that a person’s nutritional needs are met. Please organise your post-surgery care package before you embark on this journey to ensure you are looked after safely.