Gastric sleeve in Turkey: what you should know before you book
A gastric sleeve — sleeve gastrectomy — removes about three quarters of the stomach and leaves a narrow tube, the "sleeve", in its place. You feel full after a few spoonfuls, and because the part of the stomach that produces most of the hunger hormone ghrelin is removed, appetite usually drops as well. It is the most common weight-loss operation in the world and the one patients most often travel to Turkey for.
The reason is mainly access and price. In the UK, NHS weight-loss surgery is offered only after a referral to a specialist weight management service, and waiting times are long; a private sleeve costs several times more than in Turkey. On our site a gastric sleeve in Turkey starts at €2,480 at an accredited hospital — the hospital's own list price for international patients.
A sleeve is not a cosmetic procedure, though. It is a permanent operation on the stomach that changes how you eat for the rest of your life, needs vitamins every day and regular blood tests for years, and works better with support from a dietitian. Before choosing a hospital, it is worth knowing whether you meet the medical criteria, whether a sleeve or a gastric bypass suits you better, what the real risks are and — most importantly for patients from the UK — how you will be followed up once you are home. This guide covers each of these points. The hospitals that perform the operation on our site are listed on this page with their prices, and a quote is free.
Gastric Sleeve in Turkey: how it works
- 1Send your photos and questions
Free and without obligation: tell us what you want to change and send a few photos — by form or WhatsApp.
- 2Get a written plan and price
A surgeon reviews your case and you receive a personal plan with the price, usually within 24 hours. Compare hospitals; nothing is paid in advance.
- 3Travel, surgery and aftercare
Airport pick-up, examination, surgery and check-ups in Istanbul, then follow-up with your surgeon after you fly home.
Gastric Sleeve in Turkey: hospitals and prices
Hospitals on our site that perform Gastric Sleeve, with each hospital's own list price for international patients, shown in your currency.
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Price from€2,480 Get price
Types of Gastric Sleeve in Turkey and prices
| Type | Price in Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| da Vinci Gastric Sleeve Surgery | Price on request | Get price |
- Within about 2 hours
A coordinator replies in your language by WhatsApp or e-mail.
- Within 24 hours
A surgeon reviews your photos and you receive a written plan with the surgeon's name and the price.
- You decide
Ask anything and take your time — nothing is paid in advance.
Why plan Gastric Sleeve in Turkey with Treat Journey?
- Free for patients
Searching, comparing and requesting quotes costs nothing. You pay the hospital directly, at the price in your written quote — never a pre-payment to us.
- Real hospital prices, published
Every price on this page is the hospital's own price for international patients, shown live in your currency, with what the package includes.
- A named surgeon and a written plan
Your quote names the surgeon and the hospital and lists exactly what is included — no anonymous packages.
- Licensed hospitals only
We list licensed hospitals with an international patient department; accreditations such as JCI are shown on each hospital page.
- Honest reviews
We show real patient reviews, including Google reviews and critical ones, and we never invent ratings.
- Support before, during and after
A coordinator in your language answers within hours, arranges transfers and an interpreter, and stays in touch after you fly home.
How much is a gastric sleeve in Turkey?
The gastric sleeve cost in Turkey starts at €2,480 at the hospitals on this page; the hospital list shows each one's price in your currency, so you can see the gastric sleeve Turkey price in pounds, euros or dollars. Across the market, hospital packages for international patients mostly fall between about €2,500 and €4,500. Robotic surgery, a hiatal hernia repair in the same operation, a higher BMI that needs a longer stay, or extra cardiology and lung tests add to the price. Offers far below this range usually mean a small clinic rather than a hospital with an intensive care unit, fewer nights in hospital, or tests that are charged on arrival.
The table compares typical total prices for a primary sleeve gastrectomy. Turkish prices are hospital package prices; the other figures are approximate self-pay ranges including surgeon, anaesthesia and hospital, and they vary between clinics and cities.
| Country | Typical self-pay price of a gastric sleeve | What is usually included |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | from €2,480 | Pre-operative tests, surgeon, anaesthesia, two to three nights in hospital, medication, a first diet plan, airport and hospital transfers; hotel nights often included |
| United Kingdom | about £9,000–£12,000 | Consultations, surgery and hospital stay; dietitian follow-up for one to two years at many clinics |
| United States | about $15,000–$25,000 | Surgeon, anaesthesia and facility fees, often billed separately; insurance covers it for some patients |
| Germany | about €9,000–€14,000 | Surgery and hospital stay; statutory insurance pays only after an approved application |
What changes the price
- Your BMI and health: a BMI above 50, sleep apnoea, heart disease or poorly controlled diabetes need more tests, sometimes an anaesthetic assessment by a cardiologist, and a longer stay.
- Technique: a robotic (da Vinci) gastric sleeve costs more than standard keyhole surgery; there is no clear evidence that it gives a better result for a first sleeve.
- Hiatal hernia: if a gap in the diaphragm is found before or during surgery, it is usually repaired at the same time (hiatal hernia repair), which helps reduce reflux.
- Length of stay: two nights in hospital is the minimum most surgeons accept; hotel nights, a companion and private transfers are priced separately in some packages.
What a gastric sleeve Turkey package includes
A typical package covers blood tests, an abdominal ultrasound, a chest X-ray and ECG, a consultation with the anaesthetist and often a gastroscopy before surgery, then the operation, two to three nights in hospital, a leak test, medication including blood-thinning injections, a first diet plan and transfers between the airport, hotel and hospital. Ask in writing whether the gastroscopy, a second night in hospital, the injections you take home and the first months of vitamins are included.
Searches for a gastric sleeve in Turkey including flights are common, but hospitals almost never include flights: fares change daily and you need to book a date that suits your surgery. Book a flexible ticket or one you can change, because the return date depends on how you recover.
Payment
You pay the hospital directly, usually on admission, by card or bank transfer; we take no money from patients. Be wary of agents who ask for a large non-refundable deposit before a surgeon has seen your medical history.
Am I eligible for a gastric sleeve? BMI criteria and NICE guidance
Hospitals in Turkey generally follow the international criteria, which are close to the UK's. Under NICE guidance (CG189, the clinical guideline on obesity), weight-loss surgery is an option when:
- your BMI is 40 or more, or between 35 and 40 with a significant health problem that could improve with weight loss, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea;
- you have tried non-surgical ways of losing weight without lasting success;
- you are fit for general anaesthesia and surgery;
- you commit to long-term follow-up, diet changes and vitamins.
NICE also recommends an expedited assessment for people with a BMI of 35 or more who have had type 2 diabetes for less than ten years, and says surgery can be considered from a BMI of 30 to 34.9 with recent-onset type 2 diabetes. For people of South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin, these thresholds are lower, because health risks rise at a lower BMI. The 2022 joint guideline of the American and international bariatric societies (ASMBS and IFSO) recommends surgery from a BMI of 35 regardless of other conditions and considers it from a BMI of 30 with metabolic disease.
A responsible surgeon will ask for your height, weight, medication, previous operations and blood test results before giving a quote. If a hospital offers a sleeve to someone with a BMI of 28 and no health problems, treat that as a warning sign rather than a convenience.
When a gastric sleeve is usually not advised
- severe or long-standing acid reflux, Barrett's oesophagus or a large hiatal hernia — a bypass is often the better choice;
- untreated eating disorders, alcohol or drug dependence, or untreated severe depression;
- pregnancy, or a plan to become pregnant within the next 12–18 months;
- conditions that make anaesthesia unsafe, until they are treated.
Gastric sleeve vs gastric bypass vs gastric balloon
Three procedures are most often compared. The right one depends on your BMI, reflux, diabetes and how permanent you want the change to be.
| Procedure | How it works | Typical weight loss | Usually suited to | Main drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastric sleeve | About 75–80% of the stomach removed; the intestine is not changed | About 25–30% of total body weight at one to two years | BMI 35–50 without significant reflux | Irreversible; new or worse reflux in some patients |
| Gastric bypass | A small stomach pouch joined to the small intestine, bypassing part of it | Slightly more than a sleeve on average | Reflux, type 2 diabetes, BMI above 50 | More vitamin deficiencies, dumping, ulcers, internal hernia |
| Mini gastric bypass | A long pouch with a single connection to the intestine | Similar to a bypass | Higher BMI, diabetes | Bile reflux; vitamin needs similar to a bypass |
| Gastric balloon | A balloon placed in the stomach through the mouth for six or twelve months | About 10–15% of total body weight while it is in place | BMI 27–40, or as a first step before surgery | Temporary; nausea in the first days; weight often returns |
Gastric sleeve vs bypass
Two well-known randomised trials, SLEEVEPASS in Finland and SM-BOSS in Switzerland, followed patients for five years and longer. Both found that a bypass led to slightly more weight loss and resolved reflux more often, while a sleeve was a shorter operation with fewer long-term vitamin problems and no risk of internal hernia. Diabetes improved substantially after both. In practice, a sleeve is usually chosen when there is no relevant reflux; a bypass is preferred when reflux is already a problem or when diabetes has lasted many years.
Gastric sleeve vs balloon
A balloon is not surgery and is removed after six or twelve months, so it suits people with a lower BMI or those who need to lose weight before another operation. Most of the weight lost with a balloon tends to return within a few years unless habits change, whereas the sleeve is permanent. Medication such as GLP-1 injections, and other non-surgical weight-loss options, are alternatives worth discussing with your doctor; an overview of every operation is on our weight-loss surgery page.
How a sleeve gastrectomy is performed
Before surgery most patients follow a two-week low-calorie, low-carbohydrate "liver-shrinking" diet, because a smaller liver makes keyhole surgery safer. In Turkey you then have blood tests, an ultrasound, an ECG and chest X-ray, a meeting with the anaesthetist and often a gastroscopy to check for reflux damage, ulcers or a hernia.
The operation is done under general anaesthesia through five or six small cuts in the abdomen (laparoscopy) and takes about one to one and a half hours. The surgeon separates the outer curve of the stomach from its blood supply, places a tube in the stomach as a guide and divides the stomach with a stapler, leaving a sleeve of roughly 100–150 ml. The removed part is taken out through one of the cuts. Many surgeons reinforce the staple line and test it for leaks during surgery, with dye or air, and some repeat the test the next day.
You start walking the evening of the operation and drink small sips of water the next day. Blood-thinning injections and compression stockings reduce the risk of clots. Most patients go home — or to the hotel — after two to three nights.
Your gastric sleeve trip to Turkey, day by day
Plan to stay six to eight nights in Turkey. Bring a companion if you can: the first days after surgery are tiring, and you will be taking fluids every few minutes.
- Day 1 — arrival: transfer from the airport to the hotel or straight to the hospital; start clear fluids as instructed.
- Day 2 — tests and consultation: blood tests, ECG, imaging and often a gastroscopy; meeting with the surgeon and anaesthetist; signing the consent form. Surgery is cancelled if a test result is not safe.
- Day 2 or 3 — surgery: one to one and a half hours; you walk the same evening.
- Days 3–5 — hospital: sips of water, then clear fluids; leak test on many units; dietitian visit; discharge with medication and a written diet plan.
- Days 5–7 — hotel: short walks every hour, small sips all day, a check-up with the surgeon or nurse.
- Day 7 or 8 — flight home: with your discharge summary, operation report and a list of your medication.
Our how it works page explains how quotes, transfers and the coordinator's support are arranged, and the Istanbul guide covers travel to the city.
Recovery and the diet stages after a gastric sleeve
The new sleeve needs time to heal along the staple line, so food returns in stages. Exact timings differ between surgeons; follow the plan you are given.
| Time after surgery | What you eat | What else to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | Clear and then full liquids: water, broth, sugar-free drinks, protein shakes | Tiredness; aim for 1.5–2 litres of fluid a day in small sips |
| Weeks 3–4 | Purée: blended soups, yoghurt, soft scrambled egg | Most office workers return to work after two to three weeks |
| Weeks 5–6 | Soft food: fish, minced meat, soft vegetables | Light exercise; no heavy lifting yet |
| From weeks 6–8 | Normal textures in small portions, protein first | Weight loss is usually fastest in the first three to six months |
Eat slowly, stop at the first sign of fullness, do not drink with meals and wait about 30 minutes after eating before drinking. Aim for around 60 grams of protein a day. Avoid fizzy drinks, alcohol and very sugary food, especially in the first months. Hair loss between the third and sixth month is common and usually temporary.
Flying home after a gastric sleeve
Most surgeons allow you to fly about five to seven days after surgery, once you are drinking well and the check-up is normal. The main concern is blood clots: wear compression stockings, walk in the aisle every hour, keep sipping water and take the blood-thinning injections exactly as prescribed — usually for one to four weeks. Choose an aisle seat and keep your documents and medication in your hand luggage. Our guide on flying after surgery has a checklist.
Seek urgent help after you land if you have a fast heartbeat, fever, pain in the left shoulder or abdomen, shortness of breath or chest pain, vomiting or cannot keep fluids down, or swelling and pain in one calf. In the UK, go to A&E or call 999 and show your operation report.
Risks of a gastric sleeve: what studies show
Weight-loss surgery is now one of the safer major abdominal operations, but it carries real risks, and these are the figures most often cited from large registries and studies:
- Staple-line leak: the most serious early complication, reported in about 1–3 in 100 patients in published series. It usually shows up in the first one to three weeks with a fast pulse, fever and pain, and needs urgent treatment.
- Bleeding: from the staple line, in roughly 1–2 in 100 patients; most cases settle without another operation.
- Blood clots: deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism are uncommon but are one of the main causes of death after bariatric surgery, which is why injections, stockings and early walking matter.
- Narrowing (stricture): difficulty swallowing or vomiting after a few weeks, usually treated by stretching with an endoscope.
- Reflux: heartburn can appear for the first time or get worse after a sleeve. Long-term studies, including SLEEVEPASS, found reflux more often after a sleeve than after a bypass, and some endoscopy studies years after surgery have found Barrett's oesophagus — a change in the gullet lining that needs monitoring — in more than one in ten patients. Regular endoscopy is advised if heartburn persists, and severe reflux is usually treated by converting the sleeve to a bypass.
- Weight regain: some regain is normal after two years; significant regain happens in a minority, often linked to grazing and high-calorie drinks.
- Gallstones: more likely during rapid weight loss.
Gastric sleeve Turkey death rate
There is no official death rate for gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey alone: Turkey has no public national register comparable to the UK's National Bariatric Surgery Registry. Large registries in the US and Europe put the risk of dying within 30 days of a sleeve gastrectomy at around 1 in 1,000 or lower. At the same time, UK coroners and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office have reported deaths of British patients after weight-loss surgery abroad, including in Turkey, often linked to leaks or clots that were found late. The risk depends far more on the hospital, on careful patient selection and on what happens after discharge than on the country: choose a hospital with an intensive care unit, stay the full time your surgeon recommends and know where to go if warning signs appear at home.
For a wider view of safety and regulation, read is surgery in Turkey safe?
Long-term follow-up and vitamins
A gastric sleeve reduces how much you eat and, to a lesser degree, how well you absorb some nutrients. The British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS) publishes nutritional guidance that most UK services follow. In summary, after a sleeve you should expect:
- a complete multivitamin and mineral supplement every day, for life;
- vitamin D and, depending on your diet and blood results, calcium;
- iron for many patients, especially women who menstruate;
- vitamin B12, often as injections every three months, because the stomach makes less of the factor needed to absorb it;
- blood tests at about 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery and then once a year, checking blood count, iron, folate, B12, vitamin D, calcium and liver and kidney function.
Missing vitamins rarely causes symptoms at first, but over the years can lead to anaemia, bone thinning and nerve damage. A dietitian helps you build meals around protein and spot problems early; many UK patients who had surgery abroad pay for a few private dietitian sessions in the first year. Women should use reliable contraception and wait 12–18 months before becoming pregnant, then tell the midwife about the surgery.
Aftercare in the UK: the NHS after surgery abroad
This is the part of the plan that UK patients most often underestimate. The NHS will always treat an emergency, such as a leak or a clot, at A&E. Routine specialist follow-up is different: NHS bariatric teams are commissioned to follow up their own patients, and access to a specialist service after surgery done privately abroad depends on your local area. BOMSS has repeatedly raised concerns about complications seen in NHS hospitals after weight-loss surgery abroad and about patients returning without records or a follow-up plan, and the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) has warned about the same problem after cosmetic surgery abroad. Both advise patients to arrange aftercare before they travel.
In practice, before you book:
- tell your GP you are planning surgery; BOMSS publishes guidance for GPs on the blood tests and supplements patients need after bariatric surgery, and many GPs will prescribe vitamins and arrange blood tests;
- ask the hospital in Turkey for its follow-up schedule — video consultations with the surgeon and dietitian, and how long they are included;
- bring home your operation report, discharge letter, test results and the type of staples used, ideally in English;
- know which local A&E you would go to, and keep the operation report on your phone.
Travel insurance usually excludes planned surgery and its complications; specialist medical travel cover exists and is explained in our guide on insurance for surgery abroad.
How to choose a gastric sleeve hospital and surgeon in Turkey
Weight-loss surgery is a hospital operation, so the hospital matters as much as the surgeon. Check:
- that the operation takes place in a licensed hospital with an intensive care unit, not in a day clinic, and that the hospital holds the Ministry of Health's authorisation for international patients; JCI accreditation is a further check;
- that the surgeon is a general surgeon who performs bariatric surgery every week and can tell you how many sleeves they perform each year and what their leak rate is;
- that you will meet the surgeon before surgery, and know who will see you in the days after;
- that your BMI, medication and medical history are reviewed before a quote;
- what happens, and who pays, if a complication needs a longer stay or another operation.
Red flags: surgery offered without asking your weight or medical history, a BMI below the usual criteria accepted without discussion, one night in hospital, a large deposit before a medical review, and no named surgeon until the day of surgery. Our guide on how to choose a safe surgeon in Turkey explains how to verify a licence. You can compare hospitals and doctors on our site, and see the full list of bariatric surgery treatments.
Results: weight loss and life after a gastric sleeve
Most patients lose about 60–70% of their excess weight — roughly a quarter to a third of their total body weight — within the first one to two years. Long-term trials report that around half to two thirds of excess weight remains lost at five years and beyond, with many patients seeing type 2 diabetes go into remission, blood pressure fall, sleep apnoea improve and joint pain ease. Results depend on eating habits, activity and follow-up as much as on the operation.
A minority of patients later need a second operation, most often a conversion from sleeve to bypass because of reflux or weight regain. After large weight loss, loose skin is common; many patients consider a tummy tuck, lower body lift, arm lift or thigh lift once their weight has been stable for at least six months, usually 12–18 months after the sleeve.
Gastric Sleeve in Turkey reviews
Reviews of the hospitals and surgeons on this page that perform Gastric Sleeve, with reviews about this treatment first. Reviews from Google are marked.
I was a patient there a week ago for gastric sleeve surgery. I received excellent treatment from my interpreter, who accompanied me throughout the entire process before the surgery, and the nutritionist was also very kind and attentive to my needs. Overall, my stay there was pleasant. I should mention that some of the nurses lack experience; it's noticeable when a more knowledgeable nurse is attending to you. One nurse accidentally injected me twice in the arm, and another nurse had to come and correct it. I also have a minor complaint about the "therapist" who, in my opinion, should be more careful, as he asked me inappropriate questions and judged me for being part of the LGBT community, which I don't think is the attitude a therapist should have. Aside from that, everything was excellent. The building looks very technologically advanced and is always very clean. I'm gradually progressing with my recovery and staying in touch with the nutritionist who continues to support me throughout this process. I definitely recommend it!
I would like to share my personal experience accompanying a patient who underwent gastric sleeve surgery. We traveled from Spain, and I must acknowledge the excellent service we received. It exceeded our expectations, and the level of professionalism demonstrated was evident. From the moment we arrived, we were picked up at the airport and taken to the "LOKMAN HEKIM" hospital, where they immediately began a series of preliminary tests. The staff is outstanding, and we are very grateful, from the medical staff to the support staff. I must highlight the hygiene, kindness, and personal attention they always offered. Our deepest gratitude goes to Linda (sales representative) and Alex (translator), who made us feel right at home, as well as to Professor Dr. Hüseyin Sinan, who performed the successful procedure, allowing my wife to recover in record time. In short, I highly recommend the service and urge the medical team to maintain this high standard. Thank you very much!
TALOFA; ALOHA; MALŌ E LELEI; BULA; KIA ORA I had initially planned to be support person for my BFF for an appointment she had long wanted to get done. As good friends do - I too did research to ensure she was on her healthiest path. I asked the Patient Consultant questions only a sceptic would. Linda was most approachable - she even set up a group chat for her; the patient and the patient's friend who simply had to know everything!!! Obviously on more personal/medical related matters - she'd communicate direct with my BFF. Linda was VERY informative; no question was too strange or silly and I NEVER felt I was being pressured to respond [though it helped that I kept her in the loop AND I was up front that I was researching other options/providers]. Now ANYONE who knows me - knows it takes A LOT to impress me!!! On this rare occasion - just from what is learnt and Linda's impeccable customer service - I too decided to book in for the gastric sleeve procedure! From airport pickup; admission; settling into our rooms; pre op tests [yes, covered a lot of klms going to/from specialists]; the actual operation; to post op care, our Patient Consultant 'Linda BURCU GUNSEL'; Interpreter 'Alessandra MADUREIRA' and Hospital Consultant 'Serap CELIK' were with us the WHOLE TIME!!! I also learnt; if on your initial enquiry you LOVE what the facilities offer - but you are not 'clicking with your consultant - they strongly encourage you request another - they truely don't mind! Long story short Would I recommend Lokman Hekim Hospital, Professor Huseyin SINAN M.D., his Consultancy and Medical Teams to everyone I know and anyone who cares to read this? ABSOLUTELY!!! Job WELL DONE ✅ ✅ ✅
Last week, Professor Hüseyin Sinan MD, along with his medical team, performed gastric sleeve surgery on me, from which I am recovering well. I am grateful to the entire medical team, Linda (sales), Belgin (nutritionist), Alessandra …
Today, my brother and I came to Lokman Hekim Hospital for a routine check-up. We come every year. But this year, we would like to thank Ms. Selda for welcoming and caring for us. She listened patiently, explaining everything step by step. I would like to thank her here as well and wish her continued success. Seeing such a caring person in such an institution truly made us happy.
It's a terrible place. I used many of its departments, even had surgery there, but I'll never go near it again. When you call about the results, they even hang up on you.
Gastric Sleeve: guides and articles
Gastric Sleeve Diet: What to Eat Before and After Surgery
What you eat before and after a gastric sleeve, stage by stage — from the liver shrinking diet to normal food in small portions — and the habits that keep the result.
Read more
Gastric Sleeve Side Effects: Short and Long-Term Risks
Which gastric sleeve side effects are normal, which are warning signs, and what can still go wrong years later — reflux, deficiencies, weight regain and regret.
Read more
Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Bypass: Which Is Right for You?
A sleeve or a bypass? What ten-year trials show about weight loss, reflux and diabetes, how the risks differ, and the questions that usually decide the choice.
Read moreFrequently asked questions
A gastric sleeve in Turkey starts at [[price:sleeve|2477]] at the hospitals on this page; most hospital packages for international patients cost about €2,500–€4,500. A private sleeve in the UK typically costs about £9,000–£12,000. Ask whether tests, the gastroscopy, hotel nights and medication are included.
Usually pre-operative tests, the surgeon and anaesthesia, two to three nights in hospital, medication including blood-thinning injections, a diet plan and airport, hotel and hospital transfers; hotel nights are often included. Flights are almost never included.
Hospitals rarely include flights because fares change daily and the return date depends on your recovery. Book a changeable ticket for a stay of six to eight nights.
There is no official rate for Turkey alone. Large registries in the US and Europe put the 30-day risk of death after a sleeve gastrectomy at around 1 in 1,000 or lower. Deaths of UK patients after surgery abroad have been reported, often from leaks or clots found late, so the hospital, the length of stay and aftercare matter most.
It can be, when the operation is done in a licensed hospital with an intensive care unit by a surgeon who performs bariatric surgery regularly, after a proper medical assessment, and with a clear follow-up plan at home. Avoid offers that skip the medical review or keep you in hospital for only one night.
Under NICE guidance, a BMI of 40 or more, or 35–40 with a condition such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. Surgery can be considered from a BMI of 30 with recent-onset type 2 diabetes, and the thresholds are lower for people of Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin.
Neither is better for everyone. A bypass gives slightly more weight loss and treats reflux, but brings more vitamin problems and a risk of internal hernia. A sleeve is simpler and usually preferred when you have no significant reflux.
A balloon is temporary, stays six or twelve months and usually leads to 10–15% weight loss, which often returns. A sleeve is permanent and leads to much greater weight loss. A balloon suits a lower BMI or preparation for surgery.
Plan six to eight nights: one day for tests, two to three nights in hospital after surgery and a few days at the hotel before a check-up and the flight home.
Usually five to seven days after surgery, once you drink well and the check-up is normal. Wear compression stockings, walk every hour and take the blood-thinning injections as prescribed.
The NHS treats emergencies at A&E. Routine specialist follow-up after surgery abroad depends on your area, so speak to your GP before you travel, ask the hospital for its remote follow-up plan and bring home your operation report and discharge letter.
A complete multivitamin and mineral supplement every day for life, vitamin D, often calcium and iron, and vitamin B12 — frequently as injections every three months — with blood tests at about 3, 6 and 12 months and then yearly.
It can. Reflux appears or worsens in some patients after a sleeve, and long-term studies found it more often than after a bypass. If you already have significant reflux, a bypass is usually advised; persistent heartburn after a sleeve should be checked with an endoscopy.
Most patients lose about 60–70% of their excess weight, roughly a quarter to a third of their body weight, within one to two years. Long-term studies show that most keep off around half to two thirds of their excess weight at five years.
The operation takes about one to one and a half hours under general anaesthesia, through five or six small cuts. Most patients stay two to three nights in hospital.
Most people with office jobs return after two to three weeks; physical work usually needs four to six weeks. Tiredness in the first weeks is mainly due to the low calorie intake.
Yes, and fertility often improves with weight loss, but it is advised to wait 12–18 months until your weight is stable, use reliable contraception until then and tell your midwife about the surgery.