Doctors in the UK are seeing a rise in complications from weight loss surgeries and hair transplants performed abroad, causing strain on the National Health Service (NHS). According to experts, the trend of seeking cheaper medical procedures overseas has led to serious post-surgery issues, infections, and deaths. This increase in "surgical tourism" was highlighted at the British Medical Association's annual meeting in Belfast. David Strain, chair of the BMA’s board of science, noted that operating standards abroad might not meet UK expectations, leading to emergencies that the NHS must address upon patients' return, sometimes even resulting in the cancellation of elective surgeries.
The controversy extends to the use of weight loss medications like Wegovy, purchased online without necessary medical supervision. The Foreign Office travel advice alerts about the variability in medical standards globally, with six British nationals dying in Turkey in 2023 following medical treatments. A surge in surgeries abroad, driven by social media influences, has exacerbated the burden on the struggling health service, with calls for improved weight management services and higher sugar taxes to fund these initiatives.