The Belfast Trust has said that it has seen a "steady increase" in patients presenting themselves with serious complications following weight loss surgery.
It comes as there has been an increase in the number of people travelling to other countries, such as Turkey, for weight loss and cosmetic procedures, with a number reporting problems and difficulties upon their return home.
Belfast Live have spoken to a number of people who have returned from Turkey with "life changing" issues as a result of the surgery they have received there.
One woman said her life had been changed forever after her stomach was "separated into three blobs" following a gastric sleeve operation, while another contracted infections as a result of a surgical swab being left inside her body.
The Belfast Trust has warned that weight loss surgeries, such as Bariatric Surgery, are complex and carried out by surgeons who have gone through high levels of training, which may not be the case with those carrying out the procedures in other countries.
This increases the risks of potentially life changing complications arising following these procedures.
A spokesperson for the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said: "Bariatric Surgery is a complex surgery which requires expert post-operative monitoring and care. Surgeons working in the UK and Ireland undergo specialist and fellowship training to deliver this important service.
"Patients who are considering travelling abroad for weight loss surgery should be aware that their surgery may not be delivered by medical staff with the same level of training and this could increase the risk of potentially life changing complications. In recent years, Belfast Trust has seen a steady increase in the number of patients presenting with serious complications following weight loss surgery."
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