Gastric Sleeve Turkey

Gastric sleeve surgery , also known as sleeve gastrectomy, vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), or tube stomach surgery, is one of the most preferred treatments for obesity worldwide. In recent years, Turkey has become a major destination for gastric sleeve due to experienced surgeons, high case volumes, accredited hospitals, and structured all-inclusive packages designed for international patients.

The procedure removes 70–80% of the stomach, including the area where ghrelin (the hunger hormone) is produced. This helps regulate satiety, rebalance insulin, leptin, and GLP-1, and improve metabolic functions,  which is why gastric sleeve is considered a metabolic surgery, not only a weight-loss method.

Patients from the UK, US, Europe, and the Middle East choose Turkey because treatment goes beyond surgery. Packages often include comprehensive pre-op tests, surgery itself, hospital stay, hotel accommodation, transfers, medication, interpreter support, and one-year dietician follow-up. 

Gastric sleeve surgery  is one of the most effective and commonly performed bariatric procedures in the world. During gastric sleeve surgery, 70–80% of the stomach is removed, including the area that produces most of the ghrelin (hunger) hormone.

As a result, patients feel full with much smaller portions, experience fewer hunger signals, and benefit from improved metabolic balance. This is why the gastric sleeve is considered a metabolic surgery, not only a weight-loss procedure.

While it leads to significant and long-term weight loss, the surgery is actually the starting point of a healthier lifestyle. When combined with proper nutrition, increased physical activity, and long-term medical follow-up, patients often see major improvements in Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, joint pain, and overall quality of life.

The gastric sleeve procedure reshapes the stomach into a narrow “sleeve” while removing the portion responsible for excess hunger signals. It is performed under general anaesthesia using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques, meaning the surgeon operates through small incisions rather than a large open cut.

This new stomach capacity helps patients feel full with small portions, and hormonal changes support metabolic balance, making weight loss more natural and sustainable compared to diet-only attempts.

The procedure does much more than limit food intake. It rebalances hormones, stabilises blood sugar levels, and improves metabolic health, which is why the gastric sleeve is also considered a treatment for obesity-related diseases.

Gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey follows a coordinated, streamlined clinical workflow designed for international patients. After arrival, patients are taken for pre-operative assessments such as blood work, imaging, anesthesia clearance, and surgeon consultation. Once all tests confirm eligibility, the operation is scheduled.

Surgery is performed laparoscopically, using high-resolution imaging and reinforced stapling systems. Three incisions will be made for the laparoscopic tools. 70-80% of the stomach is removed. After stapling the stomach, a leak test will be done using a blue liquid. After the surgeon makes sure there is no leak, the incisions will be closed. The patient will wake up from the anesthesia.

Patients stay in the hospital under full medical supervision for several days, followed by a hotel stay supported by nurses, dietitians, and interpreters.

The gastric sleeve surgery itself takes around 60–120 minutes, depending on the patient’s anatomy and intra-operative findings. 

After the operation, patients spend a few hours in the recovery room before being moved to their private hospital room for monitoring. Patients are hospitalized for 2–3 nights, during which mobility, pain management, hydration, and leak checks are closely supervised. The full medical-tourism journey, including surgery, hospital stay, and hotel recovery, typically spans 5–7 days before patients are cleared to fly home.

Turkey stands out not only for affordability but for medical expertise, hospital quality, and structured bariatric care.

• High Surgical Expertise: Bariatric surgeons in Turkey typically perform 3–4 sleeve procedures every week. This high volume builds stronger surgical foresight; they know what to expect, can spot early signs of complications, and manage risks.
• Advanced technology & surgical techniques: Most bariatric centers in Turkey use laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques, bougie calibration, real-time leak tests, and modern stapling systems.
• Accredited Bariatric Clinics: Leading clinics are certified by JCI, ISO, and/or national health authorities, which means their patient safety protocols, hygiene standards, and postoperative care are regularly regulated and internationally approved.
• Multidisciplinary bariatric teams: Patients are guided by surgeons, dietitians, endocrinologists, psychologists, and anesthesiologists. This team-based approach ensures that both weight loss and metabolic health are addressed safely.
• Medical tourism infrastructure: Turkey has a mature medical tourism system with international airports, VIP transfers, hospital–hotel coordination, language support, and aftercare follow-up, making the process easy for foreign patients.
• Affordable without compromising quality: Costs in Turkey are 40–70% lower than in the UK, US, and Western Europe, not because quality is reduced, but because labor, tax, and hospital operational costs are lower. This allows patients to access premium care at a more accessible price.

The average gastric sleeve surgery cost in Turkey ranges between €3,000 and €5,000, depending on the clinic, surgeon’s experience, and what’s included in the treatment package. Compared to the UK, Europe, or the US, where prices often start from €12,000, Turkey offers significantly lower costs while maintaining European medical standards.

What affects the price in Turkey?

• Hospital quality: JCI/ISO-accredited hospitals cost more.
• Surgeon expertise: High-volume bariatric surgeons may have higher fees.
• Package inclusions: Transfers, accommodation, medications, follow-up tests, and aftercare impact the total cost.
• City: Istanbul is slightly more expensive than Izmir or Antalya.

All-inclusive gastric sleeve packages in Turkey usually cover everything you need throughout your treatment journey, including:

• Physical examination with your bariatric surgeon
• The gastric sleeve surgery itself
• Pre-operative assessments (blood tests, ultrasound, X-ray, ECG, lung capacity test, endoscopy, internal medicine consultation, anesthesiologist consultation)
• Three nights of hospital stay under full medical supervision
• All medications used during the operation and your hospital stay
• Medications prescribed for your post-operative period
• Three nights of hotel accommodation in the city center 
• Daily nurse visits to your hotel
• Companion stay included
• Breakfast at the hotel plus three meals per day at the hospital
• Daily broth and fresh juice service prepared by the clinic’s chef during your hotel stay
• VIP transportation between the airport, hotel, and hospital
• A dedicated medical interpreter who speaks your language
• One year of aftercare follow-up with a dietitian

Gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey is considered safe when performed in a reliable hospital/clinic and by reliable surgeons. Turkish clinics follow international medical standards, offer modern surgical technology, and operate under strict safety protocols designed for international patients.

High-volume bariatric surgeons in Turkey perform several sleeve gastrectomies per week, which significantly improves surgical precision, reduces complication rates, and ensures consistent outcomes. Hospitals are fully equipped with intensive care units, advanced laparoscopy systems, and 24/7 medical staff trained specifically for obesity procedures.

Bariatric surgeons in Turkey are highly qualified specialists who operate within accredited obesity centers and advanced private hospitals. They are board-certified general surgeons with dedicated training in bariatric and metabolic surgery. They perform a high volume of gastric sleeve procedures every week. This surgical frequency strengthens technical precision and allows surgeons to manage different anatomical variations.

Many hold international fellowships or memberships in global associations such as IFSO, ensuring continuous alignment with the latest bariatric guidelines. Gastric sleeve operations are carried out using minimally invasive laparoscopic methods, supported by modern operating rooms, experienced anesthesiology teams, and strict safety protocols in JCI- and ISO-accredited facilities.

Your gastric sleeve journey in Turkey begins the moment you land at the airport, where a VIP transfer meets you and takes you directly to your hotel or hospital, depending on your schedule. 

Before the operation, you undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation that includes bloodwork, imaging, cardiology checks, lung function tests and a consultation with both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist. Once your results are reviewed and you are cleared for surgery, the clinical team guides you through every step, from pre-operative fasting to preparing for anesthesia. 

On the day of your procedure, you are taken to the operating room, the surgery is completed through laparoscopic incisions and you’re monitored closely as you wake up.

You spend a few days in the hospital under medical supervision, receiving pain management, IV hydration, and daily surgeon and nurse checks. 

After discharge, you continue your recovery at the hotel, where you receive broth, juice service, and post-op guidance while the medical team remains in close contact. 

Before leaving Turkey, you meet your surgeon again for a final check, receive your medications and aftercare plan, and are assigned a dedicated dietitian who will follow you for the entire year after the surgery. 

The first two days are spent in the hospital under full medical supervision. During this period, patients receive IV fluids for nutrition and pain. Your diet will start at the hospital. Only clear liquids are allowed. Small walks and climbing the stairs will be suggested to relieve gas pain. 

After discharge, you will continue your diet, gradually increasing the texture of the food. During this time, your incisions start to heal. You’ll be having your prescribed medications. Daily walking is suggested. 

By weeks 6–8, you will be advised to exercise lightly, such as yoga, stretching, and swimming. Heavy lifting exercise can be started after 8 weeks. 

Your dietician will be in touch with you throughout the year. 

Recovery after a gastric sleeve in Turkey follows a structured timeline designed to protect the stomach, support healing, and prepare the patient for long-term results. 

Preparing for gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey will be made easy for you. You just need to arrange your flight tickets. If your surgeon told you that you need a pre-op diet, you will start two weeks before to prepare for the surgery. 

If you’re not required, you just need to prepare your suitcase for traveling. Grab comfortable clothes for the hospital stay and post-op process. You can take a sweatshirt with a zipper or cotton button-up pajamas. Bring things that you can have fun with during your hospital stay, such as books, games, tablets, or any other electronic devices. Do not forget to prepare a mini bag for personal care products such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizer, and lip balm.  

The rest will be arranged for your comfort, such as transportation, accommodation, and hospital stays.

Patients who qualify for a gastric sleeve in Turkey are the same individuals who qualify internationally. Candidates who meet these criteria are eligible:

• A BMI of 35–40 with weight-related health issues such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and diabetes;
• A BMI over 40, regardless of comorbidities;
• Understand the lifestyle changes.
• No uncontrolled medical conditions that can increase surgical risk, such as active infection, severe heart or lung disease

When gastric sleeve surgery is not the most suitable option, surgeons recommend alternatives based on the patient’s needs. If a patient’s BMI is not high enough for bariatric surgery, or if they require a lighter, non-surgical weight-loss method, options such as a gastric balloon or gastric Botox become more appropriate. These procedures help control appetite without permanently altering the stomach.

If the patient needs a stronger metabolic effect, for example, in cases of severe insulin resistance, uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, or significant reflux, procedures like gastric bypass or transit bipartition are preferred. These surgeries modify the digestive pathway and offer more powerful hormonal and metabolic improvements compared to the gastric sleeve.

Patients who undergo gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey experience significant weight loss, improved metabolic health, and reduced obesity-related conditions within the first year. 

See our patients’ before–and–afters who not only lost weight but also improved their overall health.

Your travel to Turkey will be comfortable with VIP transportation, ready accommodation, and during hotel stay. You just need to prepare your suitcase with comfortable clothes and personal care products. 

The hospital will provide you with protein powders (especially prepared for bariatric patients), a shaker, painkillers, compression garments, and supplements if necessary.

Some international patients extend their stay to 5–7 days total to give themselves enough time for explore the city, hospital care, rest, and early mobility. 

A reliable clinic should offer medical transparency, strong surgical experience, and a safe, well-organized treatment journey from the airport pickup to the final follow-up. 

When evaluating bariatric centers in Turkey, these are the criteria that genuinely indicate quality:

• Surgeon Experience: Surgeons who perform several bariatric operations ore often develop stronger technique, interfere complications early, and achieve more consistent results.
• Hospital Accreditation and Equipment: Look for hospitals certified by recognized bodies such as JCI or ISO, as well as centers offering fully equipped ICU units, advanced laparoscopic technology, and 24/7 on-site medical teams.
• Transparent Pre-Operative Assessment: The clinic should provide a complete diagnostic work-up; blood tests, imaging, endoscopy if needed, anesthesia evaluation, and internal medicine clearance. 
• All-Inclusive and Detailed Package Structure: All-inclusive packages should clearly state what is included: hospital stay, medications, transfers, hotel, post-op care, and follow-ups. 
• Post-Op Follow-Up: Bariatric surgery does not end when you leave Turkey. The best clinics provide 12 months of dietitian follow-up, access to support teams, and clear instructions for each recovery phase.
• Real Patient Results and Verified Reviews: Look for real before-after photos, verified reviews, and detailed patient experiences. 
• Multidisciplinary Bariatric Team: A good center includes a surgeon, anesthesiologist, internal medicine doctor, dietitian, psychologist (if needed), and experienced nursing staff. Bariatrics is not a one-person specialty.
• Medical Interpreter and 24/7 Assistance: For international patients, communication is essential. Clinics should provide interpreters who speak patient’s native language and stay with the patient throughout tests, consultations, and hospital stay.
• Safety Protocols: Ask about protocols for complications, availability of on-site ICU, and surgeon availability after hours. Responsible clinics openly discuss this without hesitation.

Turkey draws many international patients for gastric sleeve surgery as it offers experienced bariatric surgeons and modern hospitals at significantly lower costs than Western countries.

Many hospitals use modern equipment, offer all-inclusive packages, and provide fast scheduling, which makes the process smoother for international patients. 

Still, the real value depends on choosing a reputable surgeon and a properly accredited clinic. When those key factors are in place, gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey becomes a safe, cost-effective, and overall worthwhile choice for most patients.

Turkey has become one of the top destinations for gastric sleeve surgery and weight loss surgery in Turkey thanks to its combination of skilled bariatric surgeons, modern facilities, and significantly more affordable prices compared to the UK, Europe, or the US. 

Many clinics offer streamlined, patient-centered care that includes pre-operative evaluations, hospital stay, and follow-up support. With strong medical expertise, advanced equipment, and accessible costs, Turkey stands out as a reliable choice for patients seeking effective and safe bariatric treatment abroad.