The UK's most complete GLP-1 guide
Every Question Answered. Every Side Effect Explained.
- How GLP-1 medications work
- Mounjaro vs Wegovy compared
- Injection instructions
- Side effects & solutions
- What to eat on treatment
- FAQs answered
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Weight Loss Surgery in Turkey: What UK Patients Need to Know
Weight loss surgery in Turkey is increasingly popular with UK patients seeking lower-cost bariatric procedures, but it comes with important considerations. Turkey offers several surgical options including gastric bypass, gastric sleeves, and lap-band surgery at a fraction of UK private costs. However, before considering surgery abroad, it's worth understanding the full range of weight management options available through the NHS, including prescription weight loss medication and specialist services that may be more accessible than you realise.
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Calculate Your BMI Instantly
Enter your height and weight below. Supports both imperial (stone & lbs) and metric (kg). Results include NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity adjustments.
What Is BMI and Why Does It Matter?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely used screening tool for assessing whether your weight falls within a healthy range. Used by the NHS, GPs, and weight management services across the UK, BMI provides a quick snapshot of your weight relative to your height. The formula is simple: your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared (kg/m²).
While BMI isn't a perfect measure — it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution — it remains the standard first step in identifying potential weight-related health risks including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.
The NHS also recommends adjusted thresholds for people of South Asian, Chinese, or Black African heritage — a BMI of 23 or above is classified as overweight, and 27.5 as obese. Our calculator includes this adjustment as a one-click toggle.
Types of Weight Loss Surgery Available in Turkey
Gastric sleeve surgery is the most popular bariatric procedure in Turkey, reducing stomach size by approximately 75%. Gastric bypass reroutes the digestive system to reduce calorie absorption. Lap-band surgery places an adjustable band around the stomach. Turkish private hospitals perform thousands of these procedures annually at costs ranging from £2,500–£5,000 compared to £10,000–£15,000+ privately in the UK.
However, weight loss surgery carries surgical risks including infection, blood clots, nutrient deficiencies, and the need for lifelong vitamin supplementation. Recovery typically takes 2–4 weeks, and results vary significantly between individuals. Many UK patients report difficulty accessing follow-up care after returning home, as NHS support for privately-performed surgery abroad is limited.
Clinically BackedWeight Loss
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How It Works
Three simple steps to understand your weight and take action.
Enter your height and weight in our free calculator. Get your BMI, NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity-adjusted thresholds instantly.
If your BMI suggests you're overweight or obese, explore our GLP-1 calculators to project potential weight loss on Mounjaro or Wegovy.
Use our progress tracker to log your weight weekly, visualise your journey with charts, and stay motivated — all stored privately in your browser.
Free Weight Loss Tools & Guides
Everything you need to understand your weight, explore medication options, and track your progress — completely free.
NHS Weight Management Alternatives to Consider First
Before pursuing surgery abroad, the NHS offers a structured weight management pathway. Tier 3 specialist weight management services provide behavioural support, dietitian guidance, and prescription weight loss medication including GLP-1 injections. These medications support weight loss through appetite regulation and may help you lose 10–20% of body weight when combined with lifestyle changes.
Access UK weight management through your GP, who can refer you to your local specialist service. NHS treatment carries no surgical risk and includes ongoing clinical support. Using our BMI calculator can help you understand your starting point and discuss options with your GP before considering more invasive options.
If you're seriously considering surgery, a UK private consultation costs £200–£500 and provides independent advice on whether surgery is right for you. Some UK private hospitals also offer financing options. Whichever route you choose—NHS medication-based weight loss, private UK surgery, or treatment abroad—sustainable weight management requires long-term commitment to dietary and lifestyle changes alongside any intervention.
- Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 22.5% body weight loss (SURMOUNT-1)
- Weekly injection, dose escalation over 20+ weeks
- Available via private prescription in the UK
- Doses: 2.5mg → 5mg → 7.5mg → 10mg → 12.5mg → 15mg
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 15–17% body weight loss (STEP trials)
- Weekly injection, 5-step dose escalation
- NHS & private prescription available
- Doses: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg
Mounjaro vs Wegovy: Head-to-Head
A side-by-side comparison of the two most popular GLP-1 weight loss medications available in the UK.
| Feature | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 agonist |
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| Avg. weight loss | 15–22.5% | 12–17% |
| Key trial | SURMOUNT-1 (2022) | STEP 1 (2021) |
| Max dose | 15 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
| Escalation period | 20–32 weeks | 16–20 weeks |
| Administration | Weekly injection (pen) | Weekly injection (pen) |
| NHS availability | Private prescription only | NHS & private |
| Approx. private cost | £150–£250/month | £150–£300/month |
| Common side effects | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea |
Data sourced from SURMOUNT-1 and STEP 1 clinical trials. Costs are approximate and vary by provider. Always consult a prescriber.
Am I Eligible for Weight Loss Medication?
In the UK, eligibility for GLP-1 weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy is based on your BMI and overall health profile.
- BMI of 30 or above (obese)
- Age 18 or over
- No contraindicated conditions
- Committed to lifestyle changes
- BMI of 27 or above
- Plus type 2 diabetes
- Or high blood pressure
- Or obstructive sleep apnoea
Use our BMI calculator to check whether your BMI falls within the eligible range.
How We Built These Tools
Every calculator and guide on myweightcheck is built with accuracy and transparency in mind. Our BMI calculator uses the standard WHO formula with NHS-aligned category thresholds. Our GLP-1 projections are modelled on published clinical trial data from SURMOUNT and STEP studies.
All data stays on your device. We don't require sign-ups, and we don't store your health information on any server. Your progress tracker saves data locally in your browser using localStorage, so only you can see it.
We're based in the UK and our tools are designed specifically for UK users — supporting stone & lbs by default, referencing NHS guidelines, using NICE-approved medication data, and linking to GPhC-registered pharmacies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BMI, weight loss medications, and our free UK tools.
Is weight loss surgery in Turkey safe for UK patients?
Turkish private hospitals maintain international accreditation and perform high volumes of bariatric surgery. However, surgical risks apply everywhere—infection, bleeding, and blood clots can occur. The main concern for UK patients is limited follow-up care after returning home, as the NHS may not provide ongoing support for privately-performed surgery abroad. Always research hospital credentials and ask about post-operative support before committing.
How much does weight loss surgery cost in Turkey compared to the UK?
Turkish surgery costs £2,500–£5,000 compared to £10,000–£15,000+ privately in the UK. However, factor in flights, accommodation, time off work, and potential follow-up care costs. Some UK private hospitals offer financing, which may make the total cost difference smaller than it initially appears.
Can I access weight loss surgery on the NHS?
Yes, but NHS bariatric surgery is reserved for patients with a BMI over 40, or over 35 with serious weight-related health conditions, and only after other weight management interventions have been tried. Waiting lists are often long (12–24 months in many areas). Your GP can refer you to your local specialist tier 3 or 4 weight management service to discuss eligibility.
What are the alternatives to surgery for weight loss?
The NHS offers prescription weight loss medication through specialist services—GLP-1 injections like semaglutide (Wegovy) can support 10–clinically studied weight loss. Combined with dietary changes and increased physical activity, medication-based weight management avoids surgical risk. Use our GLP-1 weight loss calculator to explore potential outcomes at different doses, and discuss NHS access with your GP.
What happens to the weight after surgery?
Weight loss after bariatric surgery is typically rapid in the first 12–18 months, then stabilises. However, weight regain occurs in 20–30% of patients if dietary habits revert. Long-term success requires sustained dietary adherence and physical activity—the same lifestyle changes that support medication-based weight loss, making it essential to treat surgery as a tool, not a supports.
Ready to take control of your weight loss journey?
Start with a free BMI check, explore your GLP-1 options, or begin tracking your progress today. No sign-up. No cost. Just results.