Last fact-checked: 12 January 2020

Take control of your weight problem with a gastric band in Thailand. This bariatric surgical procedure is one of the most popular and effective ways of losing weight, but it is fairly expensive and often not covered by public health services or private insurance.

Thailand offers the same excellent quality facilities and expertise as you’d find at home, but for a far more affordable price.

Most people look to Thailand for gastric band surgery, or any other procedure for that matter, due to the savings, with prices here at least 50% lower than in the UK, the US and Australia. For a procedure that costs tens of thousands, this is a significant saving and is definitely worthy of consideration.

Any surgery is risky, no matter where you have it, but if you are very overweight you will have to deliberate carefully on all the pros and cons, even down to practical issues such as air travel. However, it may well be that your weight is causing you all sorts of health problems, in which case you need to take radical action.

Thailand is obviously a fantastic holiday destination, but how does it fare with medical tourists? Actually – extremely well. It is one of the pioneers of modern medical tourism and has modern, up-to-date facilities that are well-equipped. Patients booking with Medical Departures are ensured efficiency and luxury, two things that are often missing from healthcare providers at home. No corners are cut to deliver less expensive services in Thailand – the only reason it costs less is because of the cost of living is lower.

You can expect international standards on hygiene and safety and doctors with considerable expertise who, in these days of cross-border training, are likely to be members or affiliates of international professional organizations, including the International Federation of Surgery for Obesity.

The procedure can be carried out in around an hour and most patients are released from hospital on the same day. However, you will need an initial consultation with your surgeon in Thailand, and don't expect to be feeling particularly active following what is still a major surgical procedure. 

The gastric band procedure works by effectively shrinking the stomach so you feel fuller sooner. A band is wrapped around the upper part of the stomach and is stitched in place. Inside the band, a balloon is attached with a tube that rests just below the surface of the skin. This is where a saline solution is added or removed during your recovery period until the ideal tightness of the band is established.

Gastric band surgery in Thailand is considerably more affordable than in most other developed countries around the world, costing around half of what you'd expect to pay in Australia, for example.

Get started by checking out the latest prices for gastric band surgery in Thailand at the highly-rated Phyathai 2 International Hospital.

To book an appointment, talk to our Customer Care Team about gastric bands in Thailand. You can also choose one of the options below for quick and convenient ways to book online. 

Sources:

10 Best Things to Do in Thailand. Hotels.com. Website accessed: 28 November 2019. 
http://www.thailand-guide.com/attractions/top10-attractions.htm

The International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO). Website accessed: 28 November 2019. 
http://www.ifso.com/

MacGill, Markus. How does a gastric band work? Medical News Today. 24 May 2018. 
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/298313.php