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 abroad, particularly in Turkey, has become increasingly popular with UK patients seeking lower costs. However, there are significant considerations around travel safety, aftercare complications, and NHS support. The UK offers alternative weight management pathways through the NHS, private specialists, and prescription weight loss medications that may be more practical and safer for most people. This guide explains your options and what to consider before travelling for surgery.
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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.
Why UK Patients Travel for Weight Loss Surgery
Turkey has become a major destination for weight loss surgery due to significantly lower costs compared to private UK surgery. Procedures like gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and gastric band can cost £3,000–£8,000 in Turkey versus £10,000–£20,000+ privately in the UK. Many Turkish hospitals market aggressively to UK patients, offering package deals including accommodation.
- Cost difference: Approximately 60–80% cheaper than private UK surgery
- Popular procedures: Gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, duodenal switch
- Travel logistics: Often bundled with hotel and airport transfers
- Recovery time: Typically requires 2–3 weeks away from work
Despite lower costs, travelling abroad for weight loss surgery carries risks: limited access to emergency complications, difficulty with follow-up care through the NHS, and variation in surgical standards and post-operative support.
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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.
UK Weight Management Pathways — Safer Alternatives
Before considering surgery abroad, explore NHS weight management services and prescription options available in the UK. The NHS now funds specialist weight management across tiers 1–4, with tier 3 services prescribing medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy for eligible adults. These prescription weight loss injections have shown significant results in clinical trials and offer structured follow-up care through the NHS or private prescribers.
- NHS tier 3 services: Free specialist assessment and medication prescription (waiting lists vary by region)
- Private prescription weight loss: Available through GPhC-registered online prescribers with clinical assessment
- GLP-1 medications: Wegovy and Mounjaro available as alternatives to surgery for many patients
- Integrated aftercare: Prescribers in the UK can manage side effects and adjust doses
For many UK adults with BMI 30 or above, or BMI 27+ with weight-related health conditions, prescription weight loss medication offers effective results without surgical risks.
- 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 covered by the NHS?
No. NHS funding only applies to bariatric surgery performed in NHS hospitals in the UK. Surgery undertaken abroad is private, and the NHS will not routinely fund aftercare complications. Private UK bariatric surgery is available but costs £10,000–£20,000+. Check with your GP about NHS tier 3 weight management services first.
What happens if something goes wrong during surgery in Turkey?
Medical complications (infection, bleeding, leaks) require emergency care. Turkish hospitals may manage initial treatment, but returning to the UK with complications can be complex. The NHS may provide emergency care but not routine follow-up of privately funded surgery. Insurance rarely covers surgical complications abroad.
Are GLP-1 injections like Mounjaro effective as an alternative to surgery?
Clinical trials show Mounjaro and Wegovy help patients lose 15–21% of body weight on average alongside diet and exercise. For many people, this results in meaningful health improvements without surgery risks. Individual results vary. They require ongoing prescription, whereas surgery is permanent, but offer flexibility and lower risk.
How do I access weight loss medication in the UK?
Ask your GP for referral to NHS tier 3 weight management services (free but may have waiting lists), or access private prescription weight loss through GPhC-registered online prescribers following clinical assessment. Costs range from £129–£320/month depending on medication and dose.
What BMI do I need to qualify for NHS weight loss surgery in the UK?
NHS bariatric surgery eligibility typically requires BMI ≥40, or BMI ≥35 with weight-related health conditions, after conservative weight management has been tried. However, most patients now access GLP-1 medications through tier 3 services first. Eligibility varies by regional NHS commissioning group (ICB).
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.