Crossroads of Healthcare: Choosing Between Medical Tourism and Local Care

The Hidden Costs of Chasing Weight Loss Dreams: Medical Tourism and Bariatric Surgery

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unveiling the financial and personal realities behind seeking cheaper surgeries abroad."

In a world where quick fixes are highly valued, the allure of medical tourism for bariatric surgery is understandable. The promise of faster access and lower costs tempts many Canadians to seek surgical solutions for obesity outside their home country. While the initial appeal is strong, the reality often involves hidden financial burdens and personal challenges that patients must face when they return home with complications.

Obesity is a significant health issue, affecting one in five Canadian adults. Bariatric surgery has proven to be a cost-effective intervention for long-term weight loss and managing related health conditions like diabetes. However, due to limited resources, only a fraction of eligible patients in Canada receive this surgery, leading to extensive wait times—averaging around five years. This delay pushes many to explore options abroad, often facilitated by medical travel companies, a practice known as medical tourism.

Despite the perceived benefits, medical tourism presents considerable risks, particularly when patients do not receive coordinated postoperative care from their foreign healthcare providers. Consequently, when complications arise, Canadian physicians and surgeons step in to provide treatment, with the costs entirely absorbed by the Canadian healthcare system. This article aims to shed light on the short-term financial costs and patient perceptions of medical tourism, drawing from the experiences of general surgeons in Alberta.

The Unseen Financial Toll

Crossroads of Healthcare: Choosing Between Medical Tourism and Local Care

A study conducted by Alberta general surgeons revealed the substantial financial strain caused by treating complications arising from bariatric surgeries performed abroad. The research estimated that over $560,000 was spent on treating 59 patients who returned to Alberta with complications following medical tourism for bariatric procedures between 2012 and 2013. This figure, however, is a conservative estimate, as it doesn't include all associated costs such as hospital stays, medications, and additional healthcare providers like nurses and dietitians.

The study highlighted that an average surgeon consults on approximately 2.4 cases of bariatric medical tourists (BMTs) annually in Alberta. The most common procedures among these consultations were laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). Band slippage was a frequent issue with LAGB, while gastric leaks and abscesses were more prevalent with LSG and LRYGB.

LAGB: $36,923.49
LSG: $300,891.17
LRYGB: $202,884.31
Total Treatment Cost: $563,235.16

The financial data underscores the significant economic burden on the Canadian healthcare system due to complications from surgeries performed abroad. This expense diverts resources from other critical areas and impacts the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery. In comparison, the average cost of bariatric surgery performed locally at the researchers' institution (between 2009 and 2012) was approximately $13,778.20, suggesting that the cost savings from seeking surgery abroad may be offset by the expense of treating complications upon return.

Patient Perspectives and the Path Forward

Despite the complications, a significant finding was that many postoperative medical tourists still viewed their surgeries as successful, primarily based on the weight loss achieved, regardless of any complications encountered. This highlights the importance of managing expectations and ensuring comprehensive postoperative support for patients undergoing bariatric surgery, whether at home or abroad. Moving forward, there is a clear need for better tracking of medical tourists and a more thorough evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of medical tourism versus local bariatric surgery options to ensure the well-being of patients and the sustainability of healthcare resources.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1503/cjs.004215, Alternate LINK

Title: Financial Costs And Patients’ Perceptions Of Medical Tourism In Bariatric Surgery

Subject: Surgery

Journal: Canadian Journal of Surgery

Publisher: CMA Impact Inc.

Authors: David H. Kim, Caroline E. Sheppard, Christopher J. De Gara, Shahzeer Karmali, Daniel W. Birch

Published: 2016-02-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is medical tourism in the context of bariatric surgery, and why are Canadians drawn to it?

Medical tourism is when patients travel outside of their home country to receive medical treatment, like bariatric surgery. Many Canadians pursue this option due to the promise of lower costs and quicker access compared to the wait times in Canada. However, it's crucial to consider the potential for unexpected financial burdens and personal challenges that can arise when patients return home with complications.

What did the study conducted by Alberta general surgeons reveal about the financial impact of medical tourism for bariatric surgery?

A study by Alberta general surgeons found that over $560,000 was spent treating 59 patients who experienced complications after undergoing bariatric surgeries abroad between 2012 and 2013. This figure only includes the cost of the surgeons and does not include hospital stays, medications, and additional healthcare providers like nurses and dietitians. The most common procedures among these consultations were laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB).

What types of complications are most often seen by surgeons in Alberta after patients return from bariatric surgery abroad, and how do these complications vary by surgical procedure such as laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB)?

The most frequent complications seen by Alberta surgeons after bariatric surgery abroad were related to the specific type of surgery performed. For laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), band slippage was a common issue. With laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB), gastric leaks and abscesses were more prevalent. The cost for the treatment of complications varied according to the procedure: LAGB $36,923.49, LSG $300,891.17, and LRYGB $202,884.31.

How do patients who undergo bariatric surgery abroad perceive the success of their procedures, even when complications arise, and what does this suggest about patient expectations and postoperative care?

Despite the complications that arise, many patients who underwent bariatric surgery abroad still considered the surgery successful based on the weight loss they achieved. This highlights the importance of managing expectations and providing comprehensive postoperative support for patients, regardless of where the surgery takes place. Further research should focus on a thorough evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of medical tourism versus local bariatric surgery options.

What are the broader implications of medical tourism for bariatric surgery on the Canadian healthcare system, and how does the cost of treating complications compare to the cost of performing the surgery locally?

The financial strain caused by treating complications from bariatric surgeries performed abroad puts a significant economic burden on the Canadian healthcare system and diverts resources from other critical areas. While the average cost of bariatric surgery performed locally was approximately $13,778.20 (between 2009 and 2012), the cost of complications arising from medical tourism can offset any initial savings. There is a need for better tracking of medical tourists and a more comprehensive understanding of the costs versus benefits.