Information for Patients Seeking Private Bariatric Surgery
At Linden Medical Group, we understand that due to current NHS wait times, some patients may opt for private bariatric surgery either in the UK or abroad. This section outlines our position on follow-up and monitoring for such procedures.
Follow-Up Care Requirements
Patients who undergo bariatric surgery require comprehensive follow-up care in the immediate post-operative period and should have a follow-up care package within the bariatric surgery service for at least two years. Proper follow-up care is crucial to avoid severe consequences such as weight regain, depression, nutritional deficiencies, osteoporosis, anaemia, and even death. Essential components of follow-up care include:
- Psychological Screening and Support
- Dietary Advice and Support
- Specialist Physical Activity Guidance
Our Policy on Follow-Up Care
The follow-up care required in the first two years post-surgery cannot be provided by GPs in NHS primary care. Additionally, NHS bariatric services are not funded to follow up with patients who have undergone private bariatric surgery. Therefore, patients who choose private or overseas bariatric surgery must continue to have privately funded follow-up care for the first two years after their surgery. This policy aligns with both national and local Integrated Care Board (ICB) positions.
For more details, please refer to the local ICB policy: NHS Post-Operative Support for Self-Funded Bariatric Surgery.
Long-Term Monitoring
After the initial two-year follow-up period, patients discharged from the bariatric surgery service should be offered annual monitoring as part of a shared-care model. This shared care involves collaboration between NHS GPs and NHS specialists. However, it is important to note that NHS bariatric services are not currently funded to provide this shared care, and we may not be able to offer follow-up after the two-year period.
Important Considerations
When deciding to pursue private bariatric surgery, it is essential to consider the costs of follow-up care in addition to the surgery itself, as there is no NHS follow-up currently available for private bariatric surgery.