Gastric bypass surgery and stomach stapling are more complex than the lap band procedure. In lap band, no part of the digestive tract would be removed and the procedure is reversible. This is why it is popular among patients who are unwilling to undergo permanent changes under surgery.

What is basically done in a lap band surgery is that a silicon band is placed around the upper part of the patient’s stomach. The band would be inflated and shrink the capacity of the stomach to store food. It acts like a stomach girdle, so to speak. The feeling of this constrictive device would make the patient feel less hungry and easily satiated by smaller meal portions. This is actually going to make the patient go on a diet without the discomfort of the pangs of hunger.

This treatment is considered to be safer than other procedures that have lasting and irreversible effects. To date, over 200,000 procedures of this kind are performed annually across the globe. Over the years, seeking the treatment overseas is growing popular because the costs are less compared to the ones offered in the U.S. Neighboring countries such as Lap Band Mexico would offer the procedure for far less the amount it would cost in the U.S. ( see Mexico Gastric Lap band Costs compared to the USA) This is economical yet one has to study this option carefully since it is related to one’s health. There are other things to look for such as post-surgery consultations and the availability of the doctor to attend to any arising complications.

There is ample protection for patients within the United States but the same could not be said for those overseas. There simply is no guaranteed recourse should anything in the treatment go wrong. Despite the procedure being simple, the recovery period is important and crucial for this procedure to successfully contribute to one’s weight goals. You would be secure seeking this treatment from a well-equipped medical facility with experienced doctors. This could not be said with certainty about the options overseas.

Not all doctors could be qualified enough to use such a procedure. The surgeon must have the necessary training and license to practice this procedure on any patient. Surgeons in Asia and Latin America may or may not be qualified to do so.

Alternative places to visit is Private Gastric Banding in UK, Gastric Lap Band Surgery in Belgium,

So why has Belgium become such a popular destination in Europe?

The huge cost savings compared to a country like UK, as for example approx 9,000 for the procedure to compared to Belgium where the same operation would only cost half that amount. With this cost saving the quality has not been downgraded.

Quality of surgery: Belgium has a long been known for an affordable and high quality weight loss surgery medical centres. Laparoscopy, in fact is one of the areas of expertise of Belgian medical tourism for a long time. Gastric Lap Band or Gastric bypass is done by laparoscopy where possible and as this means a reduced stay in hospital, the patients too find this a great choice.

Belgiums secondary infection rate is the best in the world compared to 175 different countries surveyed. Their secondary infection rate is as low as 0.5% compared to UK around 10%.

Belgium has achieved a very high surgical expertise mainly due to the quality of training given to its doctors. Typically their Belgian doctors are trained for a minimum of seven years; for specialists it is 12 years.

A problem with overseas surgery is the follow up inspections that can easy be one in England or Ireland though their network as they have links to local doctors to ensure all is well.

No need to wait for the surgery: As UK is famous for its waiting on the NHS. In Belgium, you set the date for the surgery, after initial tests are done, surgery is next.

Waiting is nearly zero, gone are the days of waiting months like UK, now you can choice your date and next stop is your surgery.

Climate and language: The climate is much about the same as the UK with warmer summers and colder winters. Dutch, French, and German are the official languages but a lot of young people do speak English, too. Hence, there is usually no communication problem.

Laparoscopic gastric surgery in Belgium is one of the popular choices with medical tourists from the UK not only because it is affordable but also because it is very convenient.

Gastric Banding in Belgium

Having your Gastric Lap Banding Surgery in Belgium has become very common, and Belgium has become one of the medical tourism destinations in Europe for Weight Loss Surgery and especially laparoscopic gastric band surgery.

Why is Belgium a popular Gastric Lap Band Surgery destination in Europe?

1. Huge cost savings: In the UK for example, you may have to pay a whopping £ 9,000 – £ 12,000 for the gastric lap band, whereas the same procedure in Belgium will cost around £ 4,000. Surpisingly with this savings the quality of the gastric banding surgery is not less.
2. Quality of surgery: Belgium has a long been known for an affordable and high quality weight loss surgery medical centers. Laparoscopy, in fact is one of the areas of expertise of Belgian medical tourism for a long time. Gastric Lap Band or Gastric bypass is done by laparoscopy where possible and as this means a reduced stay in hospital, the patients too find this a great choice.

Belgian hospitals have very high standards of hygiene standards and always uses the latest technology. Recently, The World Markets Research Centre put Belgium on top of a list of 175 countries on ratings done for medical purposes, one of the ratings being secondary infection or Staph rates. Belgium’s secondary infection rate was found to be on an average less than 0.5% compared with 10% in the UK.

Belgium has achieved  a very high surgical expertise mainly due to the quality of training given to its doctors. Typically their Belgian doctors are trained for a minimum of seven years; for specialists it is 12 years.

3.  Follow-up feature: Quite often patients are scared off by this part when it comes to oveseas treatment. However, as with Belgium,  many doctors do offer follow-up checks through their network in the UK and Ireland.

4.  No need to wait for the surgery: As UK is famous for its waiting on the NHS. In Belgium, you set the date for the surgery, after initial tests are done, surgery is next.

5.  Belgium is just around the corner: You can fly, drive down or take a train. With Eurostar offering you quick and convenient train service from London. Major European highways pass through Belgium where Eurolines coaches can easily access from anywhere in Europe.

6. Climate and language: The climate is much about the same as the UK with warmer summers and colder winters. Dutch, French, and German are the official languages but a lot of young people do speak English, too. Hence, there is usually no communication problem.

Laparoscopic gastric lap band surgery in Belgium is one of the popular choices with medical tourists from the UK not only because it is affordable but also because it is very convenient.