The ultimate guide to Bariatric Surgery in Bangkok

Last fact-checked: 26 July 2020

Bariatric surgery is the general term used for a number of procedures that restrict the amount of food the stomach can hold and/or creates malabsorption of calories. 

This restriction is incredibly effective in promoting weight loss and the surgery is often used to treat morbidly obese patients who have been unable to lose weight through diet and exercise.

Discover more about the types of bariatric surgery available at our partner facilities in Bangkok save up to 70% in the Thai capital when booking with Medical Departures.

What Bariatric Surgery Procedures Are Available in Bangkok?

• Gastric Bypass:
  
  The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is currently the world’s most commonly performed bariatric procedure. It works by surgically dividing your stomach and creating a smaller stomach ‘pouch.’ The small intestine is also divided and the bottom end joined to the small stomach pouch. The larger part of the stomach and the top part of the small intestine are thus bypassed when food is consumed.
  
  Weight loss occurs because the stomach can only hold smaller amounts; therefore, fewer calories are consumed. Also, because the small intestine is shortened, there is less intestine to absorb calories and nutrients. The diversion of food promotes changes in gut hormones, which suppresses hunger and gives a feeling of fullness.

• Sleeve Gastrectomy: 
  
  The sleeve gastrectomy procedure removes around 80% of the stomach, leaving only a banana-shaped tubular pouch.
  
  In the same way as the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, weight loss occurs because calorie intake is restricted due to the substantially smaller portions of food that can be eaten comfortably. As well as not being able to eat as much, you won’t feel hungry either. 

• Gastric Band: 
  
  The adjustable gastric band is the only reversible bariatric procedure. Here, a small pouch is formed in the top part of the stomach by using an inflatable band to section-off the upper portion of the stomach from the rest of the stomach below. The band creates a small opening between the two parts of the stomach—the smaller the opening the more full you will feel, thereby reducing your food and calorie intake.
  
  The band can be adjusted gradually by being filled with saline, which is injected through a port under the skin.

• Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS): 
  
  This procedure is carried out in two parts. First, like the sleeve gastrectomy, a portion of the stomach is removed leaving a small, tubular pouch. Secondly, like the gastric bypass, the second part of the small intestine is joined to the stomach, bypassing the upper part of the small intestine. However, unlike the other procedures, a large part of the bowel (about three-quarters) is bypassed.
  
  In the same way as the other bariatric procedures, weight loss occurs because smaller portions are consumed as a result the reduced the size of the stomach. As the small intestine is shortened, there is also a much smaller area that can absorb calories and nutrients. The procedure also has a bearing on gut hormones, so feelings of hunger are diminished.

Am I a Suitable Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?

Your doctor will assess whether you are a suitable candidate for bariatric surgery, and discuss with you the pros and cons of each method. Although bariatric surgery is a reasonably safe procedure, it must be noted that all surgery carries a small risk, and if you are clinically obese, you may well have some other medical problems that may exacerbate your risk.

You will also need to discuss the prospect of flying abroad for treatment, as this may cause certain logistical problems depending on your size. 

Why Should I Have Bariatric Surgery in Bangkok?

Thailand and its capital of Bangkok are renowned medical tourism destinations, with some of the highest standards of healthcare in the world. If you are used to public healthcare rather than private, the facilities here will seem particularly luxurious.

New, modern hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment are the norm in all of our background-checked partner hospitals in Bangkok that treat international patients. Although cost may be the primary factor for choosing Bangkok at the start of your search, this soon becomes a secondary consideration when weighing up the standards of care available. In fact, it is actually the consistently high standards that have drawn international patients back here year upon year.

The high-standards permeate every aspect of care in Bangkok, from the moment you walk through the hospital doors, to the moment you leave. Courtesy, efficiency and customer care are all customary, making the entire patient experience as stress-free and comfortable as possible. Surgeons here are as highly skilled and trained as your surgeon at home, and are likely to be members of the same international professional organizations, such as the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity (IFSO).

Booking with Medical Departures

Medical Departures ensures all our partner clinics and hospitals offer the same high-quality standards; we are able to do this by carrying out a number of background checks which help us to assess reliability. These include:

• Verification of surgeons’ qualifications, professional memberships and international affiliations

• Carrying out personal visits to clinics and hospitals so we can see for ourselves how things look. 

• Criminal record and legal checks

• Collecting and publishing patient reviews—positive or not

Only if we are happy with all of the above do we list the clinic on our site. 

How Long Will I Have to Stay in Hospital for Bariatric Surgery?

This depends on what procedure you have done. For a gastric band, you will probably be discharged within 24 hours, whereas for the other, more permanent procedures you will usually require a few days in the hospital, followed by another couple of days’ rest before you can fly home. 

How Much Does Bariatric Surgery Cost in Bangkok Compared to Australia or New Zealand?

On average, bariatric surgery in Bangkok is around AUD $10,000, whereas in Australia it can be as high as AUD $28,000. This price will differ depending on what procedure you are having, as well as how long you need to stay in hospital. 

How Do I Get Started?

To see real patient reviews, high-definition clinic photos, surgeon profiles and clinic descriptions, get started now by looking at the excellent Phyathai 2 International Hospital for your bariatric surgery in Bangkok. Or choose from an array of options listed on the Medical Departures site.

Connect with our Customer Care Team to learn more and look forward to savings of over AUD$ 10,000 in Bangkok. Or if you are ready to book your appointment you can do so right here any time of the day or night, at no charge to you.

Sources:

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS). Mayo Clinic. 28 May 2018.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/biliopancreatic-diversion-with-duodenal-switch/about/pac-20385180" target="_blank

What Is Gastric Sleeve Weight Loss Surgery? WebMD. 25 December 2018.  https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/what-is-gastric-sleeve-weight-loss-surgery#1" target="_blank

International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO). Website accessed: 3 February 2019.  https://www.ifso.com/about-ifso/" target="_blank

Why is Thailand so popular for medical tourists? The Thaiger. 19 February 2019.  https://thethaiger.com/thai-life/why-is-thailand-so-popular-for-medical-tourists" target="_blank