Patients urged to be cautious of surgical tourism special offers
People seeking medical procedures abroad should be wary of special offers or discounted rates because such offers 'raise concern about the quality of care', experts have warned.
And patients 'must not be subjected to targeted social media advertising relating to bariatric surgery abroad', academics said.
People with obesity are increasingly seeking care overseas, driven by long waiting lists for care at home, they added.
There are likely to be thousands of such cases each year in the UK, but experts said the true figure is unknown.
There have been too many cases of poorly performed, and in some cases unsafe, obesity surgery carried out abroad under what we would call medical tourism
Professor Volkan Yumuk, European Association for the Study of Obesity
There have been reports that some patients have received substandard treatment after going abroad for treatment – with some people dying due to poor care.
As a result, experts have come up with safe practice guidelines on bariatric and metabolic surgery tourism.
These include various recommendations for patients, doctors, bariatric surgery centres and social media companies.
Patients must consult their doctor at home before travelling abroad for a procedure, according to the new consensus paper, which was developed with the European Association for the Study of Obesity, the International Federation for Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders European Chapter, and the European Collation for People Living with Obesity.
And patients who are overweight but not obese – with a body mass index score of less than 30 – should not be able to seek bariatric surgery abroad, the authors said.
England who were overweight or obese in 2022" data-source="Health Survey for England">
Other recommendations in the guidelines, published in the International Journal of Surgery, include:
– Surgical tourism should only be provided at accredited centres.
– These centres should only provide accredited surgeries or treatments.
– Patients should be followed up for at least two years after the procedure.
– They should also be provided with clear information on the risks and benefits of the surgery, including the risks associated with travel.
– Patients who are medical tourists should not be involved in research studies.
European Association for the Study of Obesity president Professor Volkan Yumuk said: 'There have been too many cases of poorly performed, and in some cases unsafe, obesity surgery carried out abroad under what we would call medical tourism.
'In producing these guidelines, the obesity community has come together to make sure obesity surgery in Europe is safe and meets appropriate standards, wherever it takes place.'
Lead author of the paper Dr Laurence Dobbie, from Kings College London, said: 'Across Europe, people living with obesity often wait several years, or lack access entirely, to obesity surgery in their home countries, prompting many to seek treatment abroad.
'Unfortunately, some of these providers fail to meet basic standards of care, resulting in serious injuries and, tragically, even death.
'These new guidelines – developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals and patients from across Europe – set out clear standards for obesity surgery in the medical tourism sector, with the aim of improving patient safety and preventing further harm.'
A recent Obesity Health Alliance report highlighted that some patients are being asked to wait for up to five years for specialist weight management support in England.
Some overweight and obesity management services are so overstretched that they have closed their waiting lists entirely.
– The latest Health Survey for England shows 64% of adults were overweight or obese in 2022.
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Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Forget needles, fat-jab PILLS are here: Why they're cheaper, how much weight you could lose & the side effects revealed
From mimicking the effects of a gastric bypass op and gastric balloons to harnessing the science behind Wegovy and Mounjaro, scientists tell us these pills could prove to be an even bigger deal than their jab counterparts... NEW ERA Forget needles, fat-jab PILLS are here: Why they're cheaper, how much weight you could lose & the side effects revealed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EVERYONE'S talking about fat jabs - the 'miracle' injections trimming inches off waistlines, and helping turn the tide on the obesity epidemic. But what if there was an even easier - and cheaper - way than Ozempic-like injections, Wegovy and Mounjaro? 4 Slimming tablets have been around for decades - but now scientists want to harness the new momentum in obesity medicine to bring them back with a bang Credit: Getty 4 Rival company Eli Lilly, which makes Mounjaro (tirzepatide) announced the results of its pill orforglipron in April Credit: Getty Science sits still for no slimmer and already, the next big thing is looming large on the horizon - and it could be as simple as popping a pill. Slimming tablets have been around for decades, but now scientists want to harness the new momentum in obesity medicine - and use the billions being made from the jabs - to bring pills back with a bang. Professor Jason Halford, of the European Association for the Study of Obesity, tells Sun Health: 'I think pills will eventually replace injections. 'People don't particularly like them and they're a bit afraid of injecting themselves. 'You've got to have the device, the needle, the sharps bin, it's got to be refrigerated, there are all sorts of challenges. 'If you can move it all to a tablet you can increase acceptance and hopefully it will be cheaper and become more widely available.' Professor Richard Donnelly, editor of the medical journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, and clinical adviser at online weight loss clinic Juniper, agrees. 'Thirty years ago weight loss tablets had a terrible reputation and nobody really wanted to prescribe them,' he adds. 'They had rare but severe side effects and weren't particularly effective. 'Now there is a whole flood of development and a lot to be optimistic about. Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons 'There is a big hope that developing pills will improve accessibility and cost less.' There are several pills in development - some stimulate the same hormones as jabs to make us feel full, while others mimic bariatric surgery. The end goal is the same - to do what willpower alone fails to achieve and stop us eating so much. While some are yet to even be trialled in humans, one has already been submitted for approval in the US, meaning they could be available before the end of the year. 4 There's even a weight loss pill in development that will emulate a gastric bypass Credit: Getty The most advanced pills being made are by the same companies behind the fat jabs. Novo Nordisk, creator of Wegovy and Ozempic, has developed a tablet version of semaglutide, the active drug in those injections. It applied for approval from the US Food and Drugs Administration last month. Trials showed patients lost an average of 15 per cent of their bodyweight over 17 months on a 50mg daily dose, compared with eight per cent over 12 months on Wegovy. Participants were three times more likely to achieve 'meaningful' weight loss when they were taking the pill, compared to those not taking the tablet. Rival company Eli Lilly, which makes Mounjaro (tirzepatide) announced the results of its pill orforglipron in April. The two drugs both work by stimulating GLP-1 hormones that make you feel full. What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs? Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects. Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include: Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts. Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea. Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset. Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation. Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort. Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss. Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating. Serious side effects can also include: Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon. Thyroid tumors: There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic. Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin. Patients taking 36mg of orforglipron lost eight per cent of their bodyweight in 10 months, equating to 1st 2lbs from an average starting weight of 14st 3lbs – while participants taking a placebo lost just 3lbs. It compares with 15 per cent weight loss in a year on Mounjaro. Lilly said their pill 'could be readily manufactured and launched at scale for use around the world'. But injections and pills have not been compared head-to-head yet. Studies are ongoing and taking the science behind these game-changing jabs and applying it to tablets, does not guarantee success. Pfizer abandoned the development of its drug lotiglipron in 2023 when a trial indicated potential liver damage as a side effect. Drugs tend to be more easily absorbed by the body when they are injected directly into the bloodstream, compared to being digested through the gut. And that's another key consideration - what the potential side effects of these new pills could be. 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Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. Early data suggests pills might have similar rates. Around six per cent of people taking any of Lilly or Novo Nordisk's pills or injections quit the medicines because of side effects. Dr Leyla Hannbeck, of the Independent Pharmacies Association, says: 'The old generation drugs tended to be uncomfortable for a lot of people whereas these new ones are much more effective. 'All medicines will have side effects but the fact that the results are much better now means people are more willing to endure them.' Prof Donnelly said he still does not expect new tablets to be as strong as jabs, adding: 'I don't think anybody believes these will cause the same level of weight loss that you might be reporting with Mounjaro. 'The flipside of that is that major weight loss might not all be good. 'Some of that might be muscle and if you lose 30 per cent of your body weight that is a fairly major transformation. 'Having an oral agent that reduces your weight by, say, 10 or 15 per cent, might actually be more sustainable, better tolerated and medically safer in some respects.' 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'Oral drugs that are simple, tolerable and safe will be the rational choice for maintenance therapy.'
Scotsman
21-05-2025
- Scotsman
What are the long-term side effects of weight loss injections?
Weight loss injections including Mounjaro and Wegovy have became household names💊 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Weight loss injections are becoming a popular option for those wanting to lose weight. Drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy are now household names. NICE has approved Mounjaro for weight loss treatment for those who meet the criteria in the UK. Weight loss injections including Mounjaro and Wegovy have became household names. The medications, which were originally a treatment for type 2 diabetes, have been helping those living with obesity lose weight. The 2022 Health Survey for England estimated that 28% of adults were obese and 36% were classified as being overweight. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Medications to help lose weight have been gaining in popularity, with NHS England approving prescriptions for Tirzepatide (also called Mounjaro), from March 2025 to those who meet the criteria. Weight loss injections including Mounjaro and Wegovy have became household names. | Canva Speaking in October 2024 about Mounjaro being made available on the NHS, Dr Sam Roberts, chief executive of NICE said: 'This drug will be a powerful part of our arsenal to tackle obesity and support many more people to lose weight and reduce their risk of diabetes, heart attack and stroke. 'This phased rollout will ensure those with the greatest clinical need can access it as a priority – with a quarter of a million people able to benefit over the first three years – while we develop new and innovative services through which other weight loss treatments can also be delivered.' So, what do we know about weight loss injections, how do they work and are there any long-term side effects? Here's everything you need to know. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad How do weight loss injections work? Weight loss injections work by regulating your appetite by mimicking a naturally produced hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Superdrug explain that normally when we eat food, GLP-1 is released, so the medication makes your brain feel you are full and reduces feelings of hunger. Are there any side effects? Weight loss injections may cause side effects for some people. Boots explain that they should be mild and improve or even disappear after a few weeks of starting your treatment. Side effects can include: nausea or heartburn, constipation, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, injection site reactions, gallstones and inflammation of the gall bladder. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If you are taking Mounjaro or Wegovy, all the side effects that you experience should be reported using the Yellow Card Scheme. What are the long term side effects? Weight loss injections are long-term treatments, with prescriptions for Wegovy available for two years. According to the British Heart Foundation some research suggests that they can help reduce diseases including heart attacks and strokes. However, rare but serious side-effects could include gall bladder disease, inflammation of the pancreas and kidney issues. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The long-term side effects of weight loss injections are still being studied, there is still a lot that is not known about how taking GLP-1 agonists can affect different areas of the body. If you have a health story to share with us, we'd love to hear from you. You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Scotsman
20-05-2025
- Scotsman
What are the long-term side effects of weight loss injections?
Weight loss injections including Mounjaro and Wegovy have became household names💊 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Weight loss injections are becoming a popular option for those wanting to lose weight. Drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy are now household names. NICE has approved Mounjaro for weight loss treatment for those who meet the criteria in the UK. Weight loss injections including Mounjaro and Wegovy have became household names. The medications, which were originally a treatment for type 2 diabetes, have been helping those living with obesity lose weight. The 2022 Health Survey for England estimated that 28% of adults were obese and 36% were classified as being overweight. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Medications to help lose weight have been gaining in popularity, with NHS England approving prescriptions for Tirzepatide (also called Mounjaro), from March 2025 to those who meet the criteria. Weight loss injections including Mounjaro and Wegovy have became household names. | Canva Speaking in October 2024 about Mounjaro being made available on the NHS, Dr Sam Roberts, chief executive of NICE said: 'This drug will be a powerful part of our arsenal to tackle obesity and support many more people to lose weight and reduce their risk of diabetes, heart attack and stroke. 'This phased rollout will ensure those with the greatest clinical need can access it as a priority – with a quarter of a million people able to benefit over the first three years – while we develop new and innovative services through which other weight loss treatments can also be delivered.' So, what do we know about weight loss injections, how do they work and are there any long-term side effects? Here's everything you need to know. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad How do weight loss injections work? Weight loss injections work by regulating your appetite by mimicking a naturally produced hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Superdrug explain that normally when we eat food, GLP-1 is released, so the medication makes your brain feel you are full and reduces feelings of hunger. Are there any side effects? Weight loss injections may cause side effects for some people. Boots explain that they should be mild and improve or even disappear after a few weeks of starting your treatment. Side effects can include: nausea or heartburn, constipation, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, injection site reactions, gallstones and inflammation of the gall bladder. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If you are taking Mounjaro or Wegovy, all the side effects that you experience should be reported using the Yellow Card Scheme. What are the long term side effects? Weight loss injections are long-term treatments, with prescriptions for Wegovy available for two years. According to the British Heart Foundation some research suggests that they can help reduce diseases including heart attacks and strokes. However, rare but serious side-effects could include gall bladder disease, inflammation of the pancreas and kidney issues. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The long-term side effects of weight loss injections are still being studied, there is still a lot that is not known about how taking GLP-1 agonists can affect different areas of the body.
