Patient story · Shanghai
K. (41, Australia) — Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
Sydney teacher cut a 14-month bariatric waitlist by flying to Shanghai — 38 kg down at month 9.
K. (41, BMI 41.2, Sydney) faced a 14-month wait for sleeve gastrectomy in the Australian public system; the private quote was AUD 32,000 (~$22,000 USD). She booked through Panda Touring Care after reading three clinic reviews on the medical-tourism subreddit.
Pre-op workup at Shanghai United Family included gastroscopy, abdominal ultrasound, dietitian consult, psych screening, and anaesthesia clearance — all on day 2. Surgery on day 4, fluid diet from day 1 post-op, soft food from day 7. She was discharged day 6 and flew home day 12 with a 5-week tele-follow-up programme included.
At month 9: 38 kg lost, off metformin, normal HbA1c. Total out-of-pocket including flights and accommodation: ~$16,200 USD.
Sleeve gastrectomy / bariatric surgery in China
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at Class A bariatric centres — multidisciplinary workup, structured 12-month follow-up, USD 9,500–14,000 all-in vs USD 18,000–28,000 US private rates.
ConditionObesity and weight loss treatment in China
Class A endocrinology and bariatric surgery centres offer the full spectrum — GLP-1 medication, structured workup, and surgical options — at a fraction of US private-pay cost.
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