SurgiCare, the cosmetic surgery specialist, has warned people seeking weight loss surgery to stay in the UK to undergo the procedure, instead of going overseas, following the terrible experience of TV’s Anne Diamond.

Ms. Diamond travelled to Belgium for the weight loss surgery that would fit her with a gastric band after unsuccessfully trying to lose weight by traditional methods, such as dieting. Unable to question the nurses regarding the operation due to the language barrier, Ms. Diamond blindly underwent the procedure.

The operation, which limits the stomach’s capacity for food by tightening a silicone loop three quarters of the way up the stomach, brought very little change to Ms. Diamond’s weight however and upon researching the procedure, Ms. Diamond returned to Belgium to have a ‘fill’, where the surgeon injects some saline into the port of the band to inflate it and increase the restiction. This also made no difference to Ms. Diamond’s weight.

It was only after consultation with a private medical company in the UK that Ms. Diamond was told that the gastric band was in the wrong place, a problem that could have been avoided if the procedure had been done under X-ray as it is at many clinics in the UK. After undergoing the operation once again, this time in the UK with nurses and surgeons she could communicate with, she managed to lose three stone before her weight reached a plateau.

Ms. Diamond’s experience isn’t a rare occurance with many surgeons in the UK admitting to having to repair gastric bypass operations that have been done in other European locations.

Caroline Deakin, weight loss manager at SurgiCare, said: “Surgery in the UK offers you peace of mind that you will be cared for in UK regulated hospitals, be able to communicate with all practitioners you have contact with and should you run into complications help is at hand 24 hours a day in a location not to too far from home.

“We would urge people not to go abroad; we have had several enquiries from distraught people who have opted for a cheaper option and who have been left high and dry; with very little or no aftercare at all and because of this they have not been able to utlise their procedure to its full potential resulting in little or no weight loss as well as suffering avoidable complications.”

Aftercare following gastric band surgery can last indefinitely, following an initial two year period with annual appointments.

Anne Diamond also commented on her successful UK operation, telling the BBC: “I was confident that it would work, because now I knew several people for whom it had been successful.

“And this time, I wasn’t so frightened about the operation itself. I understood the procedure, was able to talk it through, ask lots of questions.

“Weight loss surgery is certainly not the first step – and for many people it would never be an option. But it can help many people reverse their slide into ill health and possibly very serious conditions.”

About SurgiCare
SurgiCare is one of the largest and most respected cosmetic surgery networks in the UK. SurgiCare was established more than 16 years ago by a leading professor of surgery, now its medical director, who also chairs its in-house Medical Advisory Committee.

As one of the leading UK specialists in cosmetic treatments, SurgiCare has the experience, latest therapies and the caring, professional staff to enhance a patients self-confidence by improving appearances. SurgiCare prides itself on providing an unrivalled aftercare service with all surgeons registered on the General Medical Council Specialist Register, to ensure every patient receives the best possible standard in care and results.

SurgiCare has helped more than 20,000 patients fulfil their dreams of looking and feeling their best. SurgiCare also specialise in weight loss surgery with a unique 24 month support programme and lifetime aftercare.

Via EPR Network
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