The ultimate guide to Gastric Bypass in Bangkok

Last fact-checked: 24 July 2020

Still struggling with weight loss after years of diet and exercise? Then surgery may be an option, with a gastric bypass in Bangkok costing between 40–60% less than you would expect to pay back home. 

Surgery may seem like a drastic option—even moreso when flying thousands of miles to have it done—but our partner clinics and hospitals in the Thai capital are among the best in the world and the medical facilities are geared towards managing patients from all over the world. 

If you’ve been putting a gastric bypass off because of the high costs or long waiting lists, get in touch with Medical Departures to discover a solution that works for you. 

Is a Gastric Bypass for Me?

The gastric bypass is the most common form of bariatric (weight loss) surgery, and works by either limiting how much you can eat or by reducing the absorption of certain nutrients (or both). It is usually performed if you have serious health problems caused by your weight, or when dieting and exercise have not worked for losing weight.

Why Should I Consider Bangkok for Gastric Bypass Surgery?

If the cost is an issue at home, then Bangkok will offer you a more affordable alternative. Surgery can still be expensive and you will need to factor in additional costs, such as flights and accommodation. However, as the cost of living is lower in Thailand, your everyday expenses should be considerably less than at home. For instance, luxury hotels cost around the same as basic chain hotels back home, while a 30-minute taxi ride from the airport costs only a few dollars. 

You’ll find lots of attractive accommodation options at reasonable prices for recuperation, with all the facilities and amenities you would expect in order to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Once you are up and about you can take it as easy as you like in the city, just walking around and enjoying the sights (of which Bangkok has a lot to see). With air-conditioned malls, serene temples and relaxing river cruises, there is plenty to do that doesn’t require too much exertion.

Obviously, you will want to consider traveling to Bangkok very carefully, especially if you have limited mobility due to your weight. If you conduct proper research ahead of your travels, you need not be concerned about is the quality of the services; for many years Thailand has been a world-leader for medical tourism, so you can expect standards to be on par—if not better than what’s available at home.

As with any surgical procedure, you should find out as much as you can about your procedure before you embark. Your surgeon in Bangkok will discuss everything clearly with you when you arrive, but if you’ve already read up before you fly, you’ll know what questions to ask to put your mind at ease.

The Importance of Booking with Medical Departures

Bangkok is home to a number of world-renowned hospitals, as well as professionals with decades of experience and expertise and qualifications to match their western counterparts. 

However, knowing where to start in your search for a reputable surgeon can be a daunting task—especially with much of the information online being outdated, untrue or written in poor English. 

This is where Medical Departures helps. We only partner with the best facilities, and ensure quality by conducting our own background checks which include:

• Clinic/hospital visits

• Confirmation of doctor qualifications, professional registrations and international accreditations (such as the esteemed Joint Commission International or  International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO)).

• Collecting and publishing authenticated patient testimonials

• Legal and criminal record checks

Check out the information on our website, which is freely available, and have a look at high-definition photos and virtual video tours to help you make up your mind.

Any kind of surgery carries a slight risk, so make sure you choose a clinic and surgeon with reliable credentials.

What Is a Gastric Bypass?

Gastric bypass surgery makes your stomach smaller and shortens the length of the small intestine. This means you will only be able to eat small amounts of food as most of your stomach and small intestine will be bypassed.

It is one of the various types of bariatric surgeries overweight patients have all over the world, with a gastric sleeve or “band” being another popular option. 

Am I a Suitable Candidate?

You may be a suitable candidate if you are morbidly obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of (usually) over 40, or if you have a medical condition, such as high blood pressure or sleep apnea, which would benefit from you losing weight.

You will need to be healthy enough to undergo surgery (which is something a local GP can advise on) and should be committed to losing and maintaining weight loss in the future. 

What Does the Treatment Involve?

Prior to surgery, your surgeon may ask you to prepare by stopping smoking (if you smoke), as smoking impairs the healing process, as well as increasing your chances of infection or blood clots. You may also be asked to go on a diet low in fats, sugars and carbohydrates and to drink no alcohol for 2 weeks before your operation. This will help to reduce the size of your liver, so your surgeon can perform your surgery using the keyhole (laparoscopic) method.

The procedure is normally performed through laparoscopically through six, small incisions. Your stomach will be divided using surgical stables, making a small pouch out of the top of the stomach. This will be connected to a section of your small intestine, thus any food entering this part of your stomach will bypass the main part.

The wounds will be closed using stitches or clips.

How Long Does the Procedure Take?

Most procedures are carried out in around an hour, but they can take up to a few hours, although this is rare.

Aftercare:

You may have to wear compression garments to help your circulation and you will be encouraged to move around and get out of bed. You should be allowed home two to five days after surgery, having gone back for a post-surgery check-up before you fly. 

Major dietary changes are needed regarding the foods you eat after surgery as you will only be able to eat small amounts. You will be advised to start with liquids, moving onto pureed foods. Additional vitamin supplements may be required. You will be given information from your surgeon or dietitian as to what foods you should eat.

It takes at least a month to recover from your gastric bypass surgery before you can engage in exercise. After that, you will benefit by making changes to your lifestyle and becoming more active as exercise will help you to lose the weight, as well as tone your muscles.

How Much Can I Save on a Gastric Bypass in Bangkok Compared to Australia or New Zealand?

In Bangkok, gastric bypass surgery costs around AUD $11,000. This can be compared to around AUD $23,000 in Australia—a massive saving of over ten thousand dollars. [Please note: these prices are approximate estimates based on international data, calculated at the time of writing.]

Get started now by looking at Phyathai 2 International Hospital, one of our top-rated partner hospitals that offers gastric bypass surgery in Bangkok. 

What now?

Get in touch with our Customer Care Team to discuss your gastric bypass in Bangkok. 

It’s normal to have a lot of questions about heading abroad for weight-loss surgery, and our team of professionals can be reached 24/7 to address any clinical questions or logistical considerations, as well as help you book your treatment with one of our partner facilities. 

Sources:

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 2020.  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

Gastric bypass surgery. Medline Plus. 21 June 2018.  https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007199.htm" target="_blank