Recent media coverage by 1 News has highlighted the experience of a New Zealander who developed serious complications after travelling overseas for bariatric surgery. The reporting has prompted renewed discussion about patient safety, post-operative care and the risks that can arise when major surgery is undertaken far from home.
You can read the full 1 News story here
At Auckland Weight Loss Surgery, we are often involved when patients return to New Zealand unwell following bariatric procedures performed offshore. While complications can occur after surgery anywhere in the world, the cases presenting after overseas surgery frequently have a different profile and often involve more complex management.
Why people consider surgery overseas
For many people, overseas bariatric surgery is appealing. Cost is often lower, waiting times may be shorter, and the promise of a single, streamlined package can feel reassuring when someone has been living with the physical and emotional burden of obesity for many years.
These motivations are understandable. Bariatric surgery can be life-changing, and people are often eager to access treatment as soon as possible.
Where risks often arise
Bariatric surgery is not a single event. It involves careful preparation beforehand and structured follow-up afterwards. In our experience, some of the biggest risks emerge in the days and weeks after surgery, particularly when patients are travelling long distances soon after a major operation.
When complications occur overseas, early signs can sometimes be downplayed or missed. Patients may be cleared to fly home while already unwell, or without access to the same level of post-operative monitoring that would be expected in New Zealand. Once back home, delays in diagnosis or treatment can significantly increase the severity of complications.
What we see when patients return to New Zealand
According to Auckland Weight Loss Surgery’s Dr Angela Bayly, patients presenting after overseas bariatric surgery often arrive with advanced complications that require urgent and complex care.
These cases can involve leaks, infection, dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, or issues related to how the original surgery was performed or managed. In some situations, patients require multiple operations and long hospital stays, with lifelong consequences.
While complications can also occur after surgery in New Zealand, they are typically identified and managed earlier, within an integrated system where the surgical team, hospital, and follow-up services are closely connected.
The importance of follow-up care
Long-term outcomes after bariatric surgery depend heavily on access to consistent follow-up, including dietary guidance, psychological support, and medical review. Surgery is only one part of a much larger process.
When surgery is performed overseas, follow-up care is often fragmented. Patients may return home without a clear plan for ongoing support, or without access to clinicians who are familiar with their surgical history.
Making an informed decision
Bariatric surgery can be a powerful and positive tool for improving health. However, it is important that people considering surgery fully understand not only the upfront costs and benefits, but also the risks, the need for follow-up care, and what happens if something goes wrong.
If you are exploring your options, taking time to ask questions, understand the full pathway of care and weigh short-term savings against long-term safety can make a significant difference.
