Obesity and overweight is affecting more and more people each day. Statistics show that since 1980 the number of obese people has double. What is more worrying is the fact that it started to affect children too, even under 5 years old.
The World Health Organization statistics are alarming. If in 1980 there were 857 million overweight and obese people worldwide, by 2013 the number had increased to 2.1 billion, adults up 28% and children 47%. The highest rates of obesity are in the US, China, India, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, Germany, Pakistan, New Zealand, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia and South Africa, but other nations are being quickly added to the list. In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults, 18 years and older, were overweight. Of these over 650 million were obese. Also, 38 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese in 2019.
This means that no matter how high the efforts would be, obesity is not decreasing, in fact by 2020 two out of three people are to be affected by obesity. With more than 2.8 million adults killed by obesity each year, the condition has become the fifth leading risk for global deaths.
The 21st century, the era of speed and technology, has also brought significant changes in our lifestyles. We live faster, we have less time to take care of ourselves, we are stressed and worried all the time, we try to cope with the fast rhythm but unfortunately we cannot dodge its negative effects. It is not only the problem of obesity by itself, but mostly the medical conditions and diseases it brings along: diabetes and other chronic diseases, heart problems, high blood pressure, stroke, sleep apnea, various types of cancer, musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis, gallstones, reproductive problems, just to mention a few.
What is obesity?
Obesity is a condition that leads to the accumulation of so much body fat that it negatively affects the overall health of the person. A person is called obese if he/she has a BMI (Body Mass Index) of more than 30. The factors leading to obesity vary from genetic conditions and various types of medication to causes which can be controlled. Lack of exercise, increased stress, a sedentary life, eating more food than necessary, eating fast food or processed products, smoking or increased alcohol intake are just few of the factors which could be kept under control.
Diets and exercise are not a viable option for many obese people. Only few of them find the time, patience or money for these two options, and in many cases they do not even work. The frustration of not being able to lose weight, will lead to comfort eating and increase the number of problems and weight.
That is why an increasing number of patients turn to obesity surgery. The variety of bariatric surgery options, the quick recovery time thanks to modern equipment, the relatively fast weight loss and the hope to a healthy life, push obese patients into choosing this path.
How is medical tourism helping?
Usually, patients choosing bariatric surgery abroad can be divided into two categories: those who look for affordable prices and those who do not have access to high quality procedure in their home country and have to go to another country.
"Obesity is a growing problem worldwide, an immediate attention to this matter is needed. PlacidWay aims to inform people dealing with the condition on the variety of options they have. Whether it is a healthy lifestyle or choosing bariatric surgery to solve the problem faster, PlacidWay can help with answers, information and the streamlining process of making choices. The possibilities are endless and people need to know they have options to choose from," says Pramod Goel, CEO and Founder of PlacidWay.
Many countries offer attractive bariatric surgery packages, each trying to differentiate from the others. Over the past years, emerging countries have managed to increase their efforts in the medical tourism industry, and even reach the same quality level found in the highly industrialized countries. Such is the case of India, Turkey and Mexico, three of the top options when it comes to weight loss surgery abroad.
India - a growing destination for Africans, Middle Easterners and SAARC Countries
India has quickly climbed among the top obesity surgery destinations. With surgeons trained abroad bringing innovative methods back home, modern equipment, affordable prices and accredited medical facilities, India caters to needs of patients coming from Asia, Middle East and Africa.
Among its numerous obesity clinics, Asian Bariatrics is among the top ones, dealing with diseases related to the gastrointestinal tract and obesity. The Da Vinci Robotic Surgery and Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery performed by the experienced medical team are the most chosen obesity procedures for their quick recovery time, minimal discomfort during the surgery and higher success rates.
"We are proud to be the only stand alone specialty institute for bariatric surgery in India. Our goal is to offer the best in innovation, quality, care and technology to local and international patients. We have earned our place among the top obesity surgery centers in the world, and we are proud to be able give our patients a new chance to a healthy and happy life," says Dr Sanjay Patolia, Director at Asian Bariatrics and one of India’s most acclaimed obesity surgeons.
Mexico - a bariatric surgery mecca for Americans and Canadians
Mexico is another top destination for obesity surgery. Taking advantage of its geographic positioning, Mexico is a safe and affordable option for patients coming from the US and Canada. With surgeons trained in the US, medical equipment of the latest generation and procedures performed with professionalism, more patients are feeling confident in choosing this country.
Mexico Bariatric Team is among the top obesity surgery centers in the country. The experienced bariatric team at the center performs various procedures among which metabolic and revision surgeries for obesity patients.
"We are proud to be the only center in Mexico which performs revision and metabolic surgeries for patients suffering from obesity. We are committed to provide the highest quality in medical care and the fact that we have the JCI accreditation speaks for itself. We are dedicated to helping are patients and we will continue to do so at the highest standards," says Dr. Juan Arellano, Director of Mexico Bariatric Team and the only Board Certified Bariatric surgeon in Mexicali.
Turkey - an obesity surgery destination for Middle Easterners, Eastern Europeans and UK
Patients from Middle East, Europe and Asia looking for obesity surgery have another option: Turkey. This country has 51 JCI accredited medical facilities, a solid proof of the high medial quality and professionalism. When it comes to bariatric surgery, Turkey differentiates itself as one of the few to offer Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with ileal transposition (SGIT) for Diabetic Obesity.
Ileal Transposition is a bariatric surgery procedure that can be effective as gastric bypass bariatric surgery for weight control, and to help the body regulate glycemic control. Such surgery has been effective in some patients diagnosed with Type II diabetes mellitus. The procedure involves the stomach, duodenum and small intestine
"Metabolic Surgery Clinic from Istanbul is the only health care facility from Turkey that is performing SGIT for Diabetic Obesity and Turkey is among the 6 countries where this procedure is available. Thanks to the Gastric Bypass and the Duodenum-jejunal Bypass surgeries we are able to help patients get rid of two problems: Diabetes and Obesity, and of course all the other medical conditions related to them. I am proud to be among the few in the world to offer this revolutionary surgery and I will continue to explain this process and it’s benefits as long as I live," said Prof Dr. Alper Celik, founder of Metabolic Surgery, Turkey.
The thought of going into a foreign country may be scary, but with the appropriate help and thorough research it can become the best choice and the solution to deal with obesity once and for all. A multitude of options and advantages are offered by Medical Tourism to patients no matter of their income or social status.
PlacidWay can answer your questions related to your medical tourism choices. Do not hesitate to contact us!
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