Blood sugar: HbA1c
HbA1c gives an overview of blood sugar control over recent months. It helps identify undiagnosed diabetes and shows whether medicines may need review before and after surgery.
Bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery: UK checks before, support after
Weight-loss surgery changes how you eat, absorb nutrients and take medicines. We help you prepare properly in the UK and stay supported for the long term.
Overview
What this page covers
We support people having gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and revisions of previous gastric bands at overseas partner clinics. Your operation is performed by your overseas surgeon. We coordinate your UK screening and aftercare.
Bariatric surgery is major surgery with lifelong consequences for nutrition. Good preparation and reliable follow-up matter as much as the operation itself.
- Gastric sleeve
- Gastric bypass
- Revision of a previous gastric band
Before you travel
Pre-op checks for bariatric surgery
These checks sit on top of our standard screening. They help your surgical team plan safely.
Iron, B12 and vitamin D
Low levels are common before bariatric surgery and can worsen afterwards. Knowing your baseline lets your clinician advise on correcting deficiencies and on long-term monitoring.
Sleep apnoea screening
Sleep apnoea can affect anaesthesia and recovery. We ask structured questions and your clinician will tell you whether further assessment is sensible before you travel.
Questions we typically ask about sleep
- Do you snore loudly?
- Do you feel tired or sleepy during the day?
- Has anyone seen you stop breathing in your sleep?
- Do you have high blood pressure?
- Do you already use a CPAP machine? If so, plan to bring it.
Other checks
- BMI, medical history and current medicines, including diabetes and blood pressure medicines.
- Blood tests such as full blood count, kidney and liver function, as your clinician advises.
- ECG when clinically indicated.
- Previous surgery, especially if you are having a band revision.
- A conversation about expectations, eating habits and support at home.
Many clinics ask patients to follow a short liver-reduction diet before surgery. Follow the specific diet your clinic gives you. Your VidaMed clinician can talk it through, and will flag anything that clashes with your medicines or health conditions.
After surgery
Aftercare timeline
Your surgeon's instructions come first. This is a typical outline, not a promise of how your recovery will go.
- Abroad
Hospital stay and early recovery
Your treating clinic manages the operation, early diet, medicines and the decision about when you can fly. Ask for your discharge summary and operation note before you leave.
- Within days of return
UK review
A UK clinician checks your wounds, hydration, pain, bowel habit and medicines. They review your discharge paperwork and agree your follow-up plan.
- First weeks
Diet stages
Bariatric diets typically move from liquids to pureed foods, then soft foods, then regular textures. The timing is set by your surgeon or dietitian. An optional dietitian add-on is available. See add-ons.
- Following months
Scheduled follow-ups
Follow-ups typically cover weight trends, hydration, protein intake, mood, medicines and blood tests. Your clinician sets the schedule for you.
- Long term
Lifelong supplements and monitoring
Supplements are lifelong, according to clinician advice. Regular blood tests help catch deficiencies early. Keep your GP informed.
Safety
Warning signs
Call 999 or go to A&E if you have severe chest pain, severe shortness of breath, collapse, severe or worsening abdominal pain, repeated vomiting or vomiting blood, or a fast heartbeat with feeling very unwell. If you are abroad, contact your treating clinic and local emergency services.
Contact a clinician the same day if you have
- Fever or chills.
- Pain that is increasing rather than easing.
- Redness, swelling or discharge at a wound.
- Pain, swelling or warmth in one calf.
- Unable to keep down fluids, or very little urine.
Other things to report
- Dizziness, especially on standing.
- Persistent nausea or difficulty swallowing.
- Low mood or distress about eating.
- Concerns about medicines, particularly for diabetes or blood pressure.
Questions
Bariatric surgery FAQ
Can you tell me which operation is best for me?
That is a decision for you and your surgeon. We can help you understand the screening results and prepare questions for your clinic.
Will I need to take supplements for life?
Lifelong supplements are standard advice after many bariatric procedures. Your clinician will tell you which are right for you and how often to check your blood levels.
When can I fly home?
As advised by your surgeon. Do not fly before they say it is safe. Travelling soon after surgery raises the risk of clots, so ask about prevention.
When should I have my UK review?
Typically within days of returning. We book this before you travel so there is no gap in care.
I take medicines for diabetes or blood pressure. What happens to them?
Doses often need review around surgery and as weight changes. Follow your surgeon's written instructions. Our medicines review add-on can support this, and your GP should be kept informed.
Can you support a band revision?
Yes, subject to screening. Revision surgery can be more complex, so we ask for details of your original operation and any previous complications.
Prepare properly, recover with support
Talk to a UK clinician about screening and aftercare for your bariatric surgery.
Book a consultation