Surgeon Advises Patient to Increase Food Intake to Aid Weight Loss

An undercover reporter from the BBC has exposed unethical practices used by a Turkish doctor selling weight-loss "holidays" abroad. Dr. Ogün Erşen advised the reporter to gain weight in order to be eligible for gastric sleeve surgery. He instructed her to increase her body mass index (BMI) to 30, recommending that she eat snacks. However, the reporter's BMI was already within the healthy weight range at 24.4. Dr. Erşen did not weigh the reporter or carry out any medical checks during the consultation but offered to book her for surgery in three months' time and told her to try to gain weight. A health expert interviewed by the BBC criticized this unethical approach, emphasizing the risks of unnecessary surgery. Referrals to weight management services in Scotland have risen significantly during the pandemic, and NHS waiting lists for bariatric surgery can exceed four years in some regions. Although the cost of private weight-loss surgery in the UK ranges from £10,000 to £15,000, it can be as low as £2,000 in Turkey. The BBC investigation revealed the unethical practices of several companies offering cheap weight-loss "holidays" in Turkey, with one hospital, Ekol Hospitals, targeting British customers. Undercover footage from a sales day in Glasgow showed Ekol accepting patients who did not meet the criteria for bariatric surgery based on their BMI. Bariatric surgery is considered a last resort treatment for dangerously obese individuals, with a BMI of 40 or above or 35 plus obesity-related health conditions. Patients must have attempted and failed other non-surgical weight loss methods before being deemed eligible for surgery. Two undercover journalists falsely provided medical information at the Ekol sales event, claiming BMIs of 29 and 33. One journalist even mentioned depression, which should have raised concerns for the consultant. An Ekol sales representative encouraged the reporter to gain more weight and return for surgery later. In response to these allegations, Ekol Hospitals denied accepting patients who did not meet international guidelines and stated that a comprehensive health check is completed at their hospital. Dr. Erşen denied making comments encouraging weight gain. Medical experts criticized the unethical practices, emphasizing the importance of balancing the risks and benefits of weight loss surgery. Some cosmetic surgery providers in the UK have reported turning away individuals who do not meet the criteria for weight-loss surgery. Desperate individuals attempting to make themselves appear heavier, including placing weights in their pockets, have been encountered frequently. Fatal consequences have been reported for British patients who went abroad for weight-loss surgery. The documentary "Getting Thin Quick" investigates these issues.