A gastric sleeve operation performed privately in New Zealand could cost $40,000, which was out of her financial reach and why Watson looked overseas. With medical tourism growing, Auckland surgeon Dr Richard Babor said it had reached the point where there was almost always someone in Middlemore Hospital with post-operation problems from overseas surgery. We’d just be providing a follow-up service.”Babor said no official numbers were kept about people affected by overseas surgery going wrong, but it was something bariatric surgeons talked about and would consider. “Any surgery is going to potentially have complications – whether it’s New Zealand, Mexico, anywhere, there’s potential for complications. I do feel very sorry for people who have had bad experiences overseas.”Warren said having weight-loss surgery overseas was viewed differently to other operations, such as dental ones.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 20, 2026 07:28 UTC