Obesity Surgery Turkey — Gastric Sleeve Istanbul from €1,440 — Frequently Asked Questions

At MedProper Istanbul, gastric sleeve surgery starts from £1,868 (EUR2,186) in 2026. This is an all-inclusive price covering surgery, hospital stay, hotel accommodation, VIP transfers, pre-operative tests, post-operative medications, and 12-month remote nutritional support. By comparison, UK private gastric sleeve surgery costs £8,000-£13,000.

The mortality rate for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at accredited centres is less than 0.1% (approximately 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 3,000 procedures). This is comparable to the mortality rate reported in UK NHS bariatric surgery audits (0.07%). The key safety factor is choosing a JCI-accredited hospital with experienced, IFSO-member surgeons, not the country where surgery is performed.

Yes, when performed at a JCI-accredited hospital by experienced bariatric surgeons. Turkey is one of the top five countries in the world for bariatric surgery volume, which means Turkish bariatric surgeons typically have significantly higher annual case volumes than their UK counterparts. Higher volume is consistently associated with better outcomes in published surgical research. MedProper operates in a JCI-accredited hospital with surgeons who have performed over 2,000 bariatric procedures.

At MedProper, the minimum BMI for sleeve gastrectomy is 35, or 30 with obesity-related comorbidities such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnoea. This is lower than the typical NHS requirement of BMI 40 (or 35 with comorbidities). For patients with a BMI of 27-35, a gastric balloon may be a more appropriate option.

The standard stay is 7 days: 1 day for pre-operative testing, 1 day for surgery, 2-3 days in hospital for recovery and leak testing, and 2-3 days at the hotel for further recovery and dietitian consultation before flying home.

The post-operative diet follows four phases: clear liquids only for the first week, full liquids (including protein shakes) for weeks 2-3, pureed and soft foods for weeks 4-6, and regular foods from week 7 onwards. Protein intake should reach 60-80 grams daily by week 4. The "30/30 rule" applies: no drinking 30 minutes before or after meals.

You will need to take a bariatric multivitamin, vitamin B12, iron with vitamin C, calcium citrate with vitamin D3, and additional vitamin D3 supplements indefinitely. These are non-negotiable. Nutritional deficiencies after bariatric surgery are preventable with consistent supplementation but can cause serious health problems if neglected.

The average excess weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy is 60-70% at 12 months. For a patient weighing 130 kg with an ideal weight of 75 kg (55 kg excess weight), this means losing approximately 33-38.5 kg in the first year. At 10 years, studies show 51-54% excess weight loss is maintained on average.

Gastric sleeve surgery achieves complete Type 2 diabetes remission in 50-70% of patients within 12 months. Gastric bypass achieves remission in 60-80%. The metabolic effects occur within days of surgery, before significant weight loss, due to hormonal changes involving GLP-1 and other gut hormones. Patients with diabetes duration under 10 years and no insulin dependence have the highest remission rates.

Gastric sleeve produces greater weight loss (25-30% total body weight vs 15-17% for semaglutide), is a one-time procedure rather than a lifelong medication, and costs less over 5-10 years. Semaglutide (Wegovy) costs approximately £2,400-£3,000 per year in the UK and most patients regain weight if they stop the medication. Gastric sleeve at MedProper costs £1,868 as a one-off investment with permanent anatomical change.

Published research shows that 51-54% excess weight loss is maintained at 10 years after sleeve gastrectomy, with 61.5% of patients maintaining more than 50% excess weight loss. Additionally, 95.2% of patients report good or excellent food tolerance at 10 years. Type 2 diabetes remission is maintained in 45-55% of patients at the decade mark.

Gastric sleeve removes 75-80% of the stomach without altering the intestines. Gastric bypass creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes the intestines, combining restriction with malabsorption. Bypass produces slightly higher average weight loss and better diabetes remission rates, but requires lifelong vitamin supplementation and carries a slightly higher complication rate. Sleeve is simpler, faster, and has a lower nutritional deficiency risk.

A gastric balloon is a non-surgical option where a silicone balloon is placed in the stomach endoscopically (no incisions) to reduce stomach capacity and create early satiety. It is best suited for patients with a BMI of 27-35, produces 10-15% total body weight loss over 6-12 months, and is fully reversible. At MedProper, gastric balloon treatment starts from £990.

NHS waiting times for bariatric surgery currently range from 22-34 months on average, depending on your region. The longest waits are in Yorkshire (30 months average, up to 45 months worst case) and London (28 months average, up to 42 months worst case). These figures do not include the time spent in Tier 3 weight management programmes before surgical referral, which can add 6-24 months.

This varies. Some GPs willingly provide blood tests and monitoring, while others may decline. MedProper addresses this by providing a printable GP aftercare protocol that explains exactly which tests are needed and when. Our 12-month remote follow-up programme includes five video consultations with a nutritionist, and you can obtain private blood tests through services like Medichecks if your GP is unable to help.

If a complication occurs while you are still in Istanbul, all treatment is covered by MedProper at no extra cost. After returning to the UK, our 24/7 clinical support line connects you with your bariatric surgeon via video consultation. If in-person treatment is needed, we coordinate with your local hospital or arrange your return to Istanbul with treatment costs covered for surgery-related complications. For emergencies, always attend A&E first.

Yes. Our all-inclusive package includes companion accommodation at the hotel (shared room with the patient). Your companion can accompany you to hospital appointments, stay with you during your hospital recovery in your private room, and provide support throughout your stay. Many patients find having a trusted companion significantly reduces anxiety.

Standard UK health insurance policies (BUPA, AXA, Aviva) do not typically cover elective bariatric surgery abroad. However, you should contact your insurer to check your specific policy. Specialist medical travel insurance is available and strongly recommended; it covers medical complications during your trip and typically costs £50-£150.

Most patients can fly comfortably 5-7 days after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. We recommend wearing compression stockings during the flight and continuing blood-thinning injections as prescribed. Drink water frequently during the flight to stay hydrated. If your flight is longer than 4 hours, walk around the cabin periodically.

Most patients return to desk-based or sedentary work 10-14 days after surgery. If your job involves physical labour, heavy lifting, or extended standing, allow 4-6 weeks. Listen to your body and return to full activity gradually.

Yes. MedProper performs revisional bariatric surgery from £3,000. Common revisions include sleeve-to-bypass conversion (for weight regain or chronic reflux), re-sleeve gastrectomy (for an insufficiently narrow or dilated sleeve), and band removal with conversion to sleeve or bypass. A thorough endoscopic and radiological assessment determines the best approach for each patient.

Walking should begin within 12 hours of surgery and continue daily throughout recovery. Light exercise (swimming, cycling, yoga) can resume at 4 weeks. Moderate exercise (gym, running, resistance training) can resume at 6-8 weeks. Full exercise without restrictions is typically possible from 12 weeks. Exercise is essential for maintaining long-term weight loss.

Loose skin is common after significant weight loss, particularly in patients who lose 40 kg or more. The degree of loose skin depends on your age, genetics, how much weight you lose, and how quickly you lose it. Body contouring procedures (tummy tuck, arm lift, thigh lift, breast lift) can address excess skin and are recommended 12-18 months after weight stabilisation. MedProper performs all major body contouring procedures.

You should avoid alcohol completely for at least 6 months after surgery. After that, be aware that alcohol affects you more quickly and intensely after sleeve gastrectomy because it is absorbed faster and your tolerance is dramatically reduced. One glass of wine may have the effect of two or three. There is also a documented increase in alcohol dependency following bariatric surgery, so mindful consumption is essential.

It is recommended to wait at least 12-18 months after bariatric surgery before becoming pregnant. This allows your weight to stabilise and your nutritional status to normalise. Bariatric surgery actually improves fertility in many women by resolving polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), normalising menstrual cycles, and improving hormonal balance. When you do become pregnant, close nutritional monitoring is important.

Contact our patient coordination team to discuss payment options. At £1,868, our gastric sleeve pricing is already substantially lower than UK financing plans, which typically start at £110-£150 per month for UK private surgery (representing £8,000-£13,000 total over 4-7 years of repayment).

Lower operating costs, staff salaries, and hospital overheads in Turkey, combined with a favourable exchange rate (Turkish lira to British pound), government investment in medical tourism infrastructure, and high surgical volumes that create economies of scale. The surgical equipment, techniques, and safety standards are identical to those used in UK hospitals.

An all-inclusive bariatric package bundles the surgery, hospital stay, hotel accommodation, airport transfers, pre-operative testing, post-operative medications, and follow-up care into a single price. At MedProper, our £1,868 sleeve gastrectomy package includes all of these elements plus companion accommodation, a 3-month diet plan, and 12-month remote nutritional support. The only additional costs are your flights and travel insurance.

A mini gastric bypass (one-anastomosis gastric bypass) creates a long, tubular stomach pouch connected to a single loop of small intestine. A full Roux-en-Y gastric bypass creates a smaller pouch with two intestinal connections. The mini bypass is technically simpler, faster to perform, and produces similar weight loss results. It may carry a slightly higher risk of bile reflux. At MedProper, mini gastric bypass starts from £2,200 (EUR2,574).

Most negative reviews relate to poor aftercare, communication difficulties, unexpected additional charges, or choosing clinics without proper accreditation. These issues are avoidable by selecting a JCI-accredited hospital with a named surgeon, transparent all-inclusive pricing, and a structured follow-up programme. MedProper provides a dedicated English-speaking coordinator, 12-month remote aftercare, and no hidden fees.

Verify the following: JCI or ISO accreditation of the hospital; IFSO membership of the surgeon; specific bariatric surgery case volume (minimum 500 lifetime procedures); willingness to share complication data; structured follow-up programme of at least 12 months; transparent, all-inclusive pricing; clear emergency protocols. Avoid clinics that cannot provide a named surgeon, do not have hospital accreditation, or quote prices significantly below £1,500 for a sleeve gastrectomy.