Patients who travel overseas for weight loss surgery are coming back to New Zealand with serious complications, putting additional strain on an already overloaded public health system, according to a Waikato bariatric surgeon.
Dr. Rowan French explained that many overweight New Zealanders are being targeted by medical tourism companies, often without fully understanding the risks involved or the need for proper post-surgery care when they return home.
New Zealand now ranks as the third most obese country in the world. However, only around 500 bariatric surgeries are publicly funded each year, leaving many people turning to cheaper overseas options. While private surgery costs around $29,000 for a gastric bypass or gastric sleeve, some overseas procedures in places like Mexico, Thailand, and Turkey cost as little as $8,000.
One woman from Waikato, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her experience of undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana. She said that the decision was not made lightly, as she carefully considered the risks.
“I knew there was a possibility that things could go wrong, but I felt that it could happen anywhere, not just in Mexico. There’s always risk with any surgery,” she said. The surgery, including flights, accommodation, and a holiday, cost her $12,000. She found the surgeon herself by researching online, asking for the doctor’s credentials, and reviewing the surgeon’s complication rates and post-operative care routine.
The woman shared that, although social media support groups for weight loss surgery can be helpful, one should be cautious about the advice shared there. “Some groups have strong opinions, but you must do your own research. I looked into several clinics and chose one with a surgeon who performs only one or two surgeries a day with a small patient load.”
Before surgery in 2023, the woman weighed 102 kilograms. Today, she is down to 66 kilograms. However, she needed to pay for post-operative care in New Zealand to manage issues such as a Vitamin B1 deficiency and reflux. She also underwent counseling, which she credited for helping her maintain her weight loss.
Dr. French, who works as a bariatric surgeon in both public and private settings, noted that on average, he sees two patients per week with complications from surgeries performed overseas. Recently, he treated a patient with an abscess from a surgical leak. He expressed concern that these complications were adding to the burden on New Zealand’s already stressed public health system.
“The sheer number of patients needing help after surgery abroad is overwhelming. The issue is exacerbated by the fact that many are not properly vetted or prepared for surgery, leading to an influx of cases we cannot manage effectively,” Dr. French said.
He is particularly concerned about patients receiving gastric sleeve surgeries overseas, as they are often cheaper and quicker, but not necessarily safer or more successful in the long run. “These surgeries are sometimes sold as a quick fix, promising lifelong weight loss, but the reality is often the opposite.”
Without proper post-surgery care, patients risk regaining the weight they lost, he added. Dr. French has called for stricter regulation of medical tourism companies to protect patients.
Andrea Schroeder, from Tailor Clinics in Hamilton, explained that patients with complications that are not life-threatening are typically referred back to their GP. However, any emergency cases are treated immediately. She pointed out that some patients required revision surgeries to correct complications.
Kirsten Leonard, founder of Trim Up, a medical tourism company, highlighted that patients opting for weight loss surgery in New Zealand could face complications that lead them to the public health system. Leonard herself underwent bariatric surgery in Mexico in 2018 and has since helped 260 clients travel overseas for the procedure.
Leonard noted that she takes a proactive approach to aftercare. Her clients undergo pre-surgery blood work to identify deficiencies, and they have access to a nutritionist in Mexico for a year following the procedure. She also encourages patients to seek psychological care after three months to ensure long-term success.
However, Leonard voiced concerns about new medical tourism companies, which she felt prioritized profits over patient care. She also mentioned that she would be removing an outdated statement on her website, which claimed that gastric sleeve surgery could be “easily revised” if it did not succeed.
As New Zealand faces growing health challenges, the rising number of complications from overseas weight loss surgeries is a critical issue. Dr. French and other health professionals are calling for better regulation and preparation to protect patients seeking these procedures.
