Current Practice of Global Bariatric Tourism-Survey-Based Study
Piotr K Kowalewski1, Tomasz G Rogula2, Ariel Ortiz Lagardere3
1Department of General Surgery, Military Institute of Medicine, Szaserów 128, 04-141, Warszawa, Poland. pietia.kowalewski@gmail.com.
Obesity Surgery
|June 27, 2019
Summary
Bariatric surgeons worldwide performed 3,740 medical tourism surgeries in 2017, with Mexico leading in procedures like laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Patients travel for affordable care and shorter wait times, with the USA, UK, and Germany being top origin countries.
Area of Science:
- Bariatric Surgery
- Medical Tourism
- Global Health Economics
Background:
- Medical tourism is a growing trend in bariatric surgery.
- Patients seek international options due to cost and accessibility barriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the global experience of bariatric surgeons involved in medical tourism.
- To identify trends in procedures, patient origins, and reasons for travel.
Main Methods:
- An international online survey was distributed to bariatric surgeons.
- Data collected included practice location, procedure volume, and details of tourist patients.
Main Results:
- 93 surgeons reported 18,001 procedures in 2017; 3,740 were for medical tourists.
- Mexico, India, and Turkey were key provider nations.
- Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was the most common procedure.
Conclusions:
- Approximately 2% of global bariatric procedures serve medical tourists.
- Mexico, Lebanon, and Romania are leading destinations.
- Affordability and wait times drive international bariatric surgery choices.
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