20/11/2025
For New Zealanders considering travelling overseas for weight loss surgery, the promise can be appealing - shorter wait times, lower up front cost, and the chance to combine treatment with a holiday. However, "surgical tourism" carries significant risks that are often overlooked in the excitement of finding a rapid solution. Understanding these hazards is essential for making an informed and safe decision.
Variable Standards of Care.
Not all overseas countries follow the same medical regulations, training requirements, or accreditation processes that New Zealand does. While some overseas clinics are excellent,
others may have poor hygiene standards, substandard equipment, or less stringent oversight. This increases the risk of surgical complications such as leaks, infections, leg and lung clots, or internal bleeding - problems that may only surface once you return home to New Zealand.
Limited Pre-operative Assessment
In New Zealand, weight loss surgery candidates typically undergo months of careful evaluation, including nutritional guidance, psychological assessment, and expert medical screening. Overseas clinics may compress this into a few days, or skip components altogether, increasing the likelihood of unmanaged health issues and poor long term outcomes, especially weight regain.
Inadequate Post Operative Care
Weight loss surgery requires careful monitoring well after the procedure, for at least a year after surgery. This optimises long term weight loss outcomes. When surgery is done overseas, continuity of care becomes difficult or impossible. Follow up appointments are brief or absent and local health care providers in New Zealand may have limited information about the procedure performed overseas. If complications arise, sometimes weeks to months later, you may need further emergency care and surgery and this may be significantly compromised given the lack of information from overseas clinics.
Communication and Cultural Barriers
Misunderstanding about medical instructions, consent, or medication can occur when language and cultural practises differ. Even small miscommunications can have serious health consequences during surgical recovery.
Financial risks and hidden costs
Initial prices advertised overseas often exclude costs for complications, extended hospital stays or revision surgeries. Travel, accommodation, and time off work also add up. Medical travel insurance that covers elective surgery is limited and expensive, leaving many patients financially vulnerable of experiencing complications whilst overseas.
Psychological and Support System Gaps
Weight loss surgery is not just a physical procedure, it requires long term lifestyle adjustments. Without access to ongoing local support groups, dieticians, psychologists, and weight loss surgeons, many patients struggle with weight regain, nutritional deficiencies or emotional challenges.
For New Zealanders considering weight loss surgery overseas, the most important step is to look beyond cheaper costs and superficial appeal. Weight loss surgery is a major life altering medical intervention. Safety, continuity of care, and long term support should always come first, and therefore weight loss surgery should ideally be performed in the local New Zealand environment to optimise outcomes and to sustain weight loss.
Check out some links below for further information and real life patient experiences
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/wellbeing/concern-over-botched-overseas-bariatric-surgeries
https://www.miragenews.com/urgent-regulation-needed-for-bariatric-medical-1497102/
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/people/to-be-honest-it-s-just-a-mess-i-ve-never-seen-anything-as-bad-as-it
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/542275/kiwis-return-from-overseas-weight-loss-surgery-with-life-threatening-complications
Dr Wicks expert Hernia, Gallbladder, Weight Loss Surgeries & Pancreatic Surgeon Wellington. Specialising in laparoscopic techniques, providing compassionate care
