Gastric Sleeve Turkey

Cost

One of the primary benefits of a gastric sleeve in Turkey is the cost. The procedure is significantly cheaper in Turkey than it is in other countries, such as the United Kingdom and USA.

Quality of Care

Another benefit of gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey is the quality of care. Turkey has some of the best hospitals and doctors in the world, and patients can expect to receive high-quality care in state-of-the-art hospitals surrounded by expert medical staff.

Success Rate

The success rate of gastric sleeve surgeries in Turkey is also very high. In most cases, patients can lose a significant amount of weight and keep it off long-term. Additionally, this surgery can help to improve or resolve a variety of health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension.

Short Recovery Time

Another benefit of gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey is the short recovery time. Most patients can leave the hospital within a few days and return to their normal activities within a few weeks. Additionally, there is typically minimal scarring after the surgery.

Convenient Location

Turkey is also a convenient location for gastric sleeve surgery. The country is easily accessible from most major airports, and there are a variety of hotels and resorts that cater to medical tourists. We are operating in Izmir and Antalya, mainly because of better-functioning airports (fewer delays and short distances to gates compared to), less traffic, and being more beautiful holiday destinations compared to Istanbul or Ankara.

Gastric Sleeve

Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a surgical weight loss procedure that involves the reduction of the stomach’s size to facilitate weight loss and improve overall health. This minimally invasive procedure has gained popularity as an effective treatment for obesity and related health conditions, offering patients a chance to achieve significant and sustainable weight loss when traditional methods have not been successful.

Candidates For Gastric Sleeve

Gastric sleeve surgery is typically recommended for individuals who are severely obese or have obesity-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea, and have not achieved success with other weight loss methods. Candidates for the procedure often have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with significant obesity-related health issues. However, eligibility for the surgery is determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the patient’s overall health and weight loss goals.

What is in a Gastric Sleeve Procedure?

During a gastric sleeve procedure, a surgeon removes a large portion of the stomach, creating a smaller, sleeve-shaped stomach pouch. This reduction in stomach size restricts the amount of food a person can consume, leading to a feeling of fullness after eating a smaller portion. Additionally, the procedure results in the removal of a part of the stomach that produces the hunger-stimulating hormone ghrelin, which can further reduce a patient’s appetite. The overall goal of the gastric sleeve surgery is to significantly decrease the stomach’s capacity, promote earlier feelings of fullness, and reduce hunger, thereby aiding in weight loss.

Can I Have Successful Weight Loss with a Sleeve Gastrectomy?

One of the most common queries about having a gastric sleeve is whether the weight loss results will be permanent. Permanent weight loss can be achieved using this particular gastric sleeve surgery. However, as with short-term results, this comes with certain conditions. You cannot depend entirely on the procedure to ensure a healthy weight in the long term. You must support the benefits of the procedure with a deliberate change in your lifestyle. After surgery, you must closely follow the dietary guidelines and exercise advice of your medical team. In the longer term, you should also make sure to stick to relatively strict dietary and exercise routines. If you do not, you may fall back into a cycle of unhealthy eating, and your weight may increase again. Exercising regularly will improve your body’s overall function, helping you to process nutrition healthily and sustainably. You may still gain some weight if the gastric remnant is stretched or your ghrelin level is increased. While a minor increase in weight should not be problematic, a significant or consistent increase will be. To prevent this, always go by your doctor’s and dietician’s guidelines, who are assessible through your individual The Health Store Turkey aftercare group and follow their advice carefully.

Risks of Gastric Sleeve Surgery

The risks of gastric sleeve surgery are far less than the risks of having obesity and its related diseases. It also has lower complication rates than other common operations. Nevertheless, as with any surgery, some minor risks are associated with a sleeve gastrectomy.

Blood Loss

This is the most common risk associated with this kind of bariatric surgery. The patient may experience excessive bleeding during or after surgery.

Stomach Leakage

There is a risk of leaks at the staple line, where the remaining portion of the stomach is sealed. This can lead to infection and other complications.

Atelectasis

Atelectasis is the partial collapse of the lungs. It is very common after surgery, especially in people who are obese, when the bottom portion of the lungs are “squashed,” opening only with coughing and very deep breaths. This can lead to problems such as fever, pneumonia, or shortness of breath. Atelectasis can be prevented or alleviated by performing deep-breathing exercises and coughing after surgery.

Heartburn

If you have a history of acid reflux issues, gastric sleeve surgery may not be the best option for you. People with heartburn and reflux problems may find these conditions worsening immediately after the operation. These patients also may not ultimately achieve their weight loss goals. Chronic acid reflux is a potentially serious issue. This is particularly true if the problem persists in your lower gullet. If you experience chronic acid reflux, you should discuss the problem with your doctor, particularly if you are considering a gastric sleeve procedure. If you are not deemed to be a suitable candidate for gastric sleeve surgery, other gastric surgical procedures may still be possible, such as a gastric bypass where the stomach is divided instead of reduced.

Who Is Eligible For Gastric Sleeve?

BMI - Body Mass Index

This is probably the most significant factor in a patient’s eligibility for gastric sleeve surgery. If your BMI is above 40, you are considered clinically obese. In this case, gastric sleeve surgery may be recommended. If your BMI is above 30, your doctor may also recommend a gastric sleeve depending on other factors. In this range, other treatment methods may be preferable, but your doctor will carry out a thorough assessment before making a recommendation. A medical professional will carry out a full assessment of medical history and other relevant factors. They may recommend lifestyle changes or other treatment methods. They may also recommend a gastric sleeve procedure with a detailed aftercare program. The primary goal of a medical assessment for a gastric sleeve is to identify whether the procedure will be safe and the benefits worthwhile for the patient.

Weight Criteria

Additional Requirements

Age

Candidates for gastric sleeve are usually aged between 18 and 65. In some cases, however, the surgery may be performed for teenagers, or individuals older than 65 if the benefits are deemed significant enough.

Medical History

A full assessment of a patient’s medical history and general health will be carried out before deciding if they are a suitable candidate for gastric sleeve. Some medical conditions may make a gastric sleeve inadvisable or excessively risky. Clients who do not have underlying conditions that are unrelated to their obesity are less likely to be recommended gastric sleeve surgery. Certain conditions may interfere with the surgical process or aftercare treatment. Other medical conditions may mean that you are not a suitable candidate for gastric sleeve surgery even if you meet the other criteria.

Nicotine Intake

If you smoke, make sure to discuss this with your doctor before deciding on having gastric sleeve surgery. You will probably be required to stop smoking for around two weeks before surgery. You may also be asked to continue this pause for a period after surgery. If you are willing to do this, the procedure will probably be an option for you provided there are no other complicating factors.

Emotional Readiness

It can sometimes be overlooked, but emotional readiness is a crucial aspect in deciding if you are a suitable candidate for gastric sleeve surgery. Your doctor will discuss all aspects of the treatment in detail and will fully assess your medical history. If you have experienced any mental health issues, they will discuss this with you. If you are on medication for conditions such as anxiety or depression, you may be prescribed additional medication to test your reaction. Your doctor will only recommend surgery if they think you are mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared.

How Can I Become Eligible for Gastric Sleeve?

Consult a doctor about your BMI. Ask them to conduct a thorough full-body check-up and to assess your medical history to check if you have any underlying conditions related to obesity. Once you have established that you are a suitable candidate, find hospitals in your city or area that provide gastric sleeve surgery. Discuss with them the benefits, risks, and recovery requirements of the procedure. Most providers offer a free first consultation, where you can discuss all of the relevant details and any concerns you may have. You can also assess the experience of the medical teams in providing the procedure. During your consultation, you will be asked to complete a comprehensive medical questionnaire. Your responses will be assessed by qualified surgeons to check if you are eligible for the process. You can also discuss your eligibility concerns and the financial cost of the procedure during the consultation. In some instances, the surgeon may deem you eligible based on the first meeting. Alternatively, you may be asked to meet again to continue the assessment. Your suitability for a sleeve gastrectomy and anything you need to do to become eligible will be discussed in detail. Once you have been assessed as a suitable candidate for bariatric surgery, you must still follow some very specific instructions provided by your medical team in terms of diet, medication, and physical preparation. You will be given a detailed diet plan and may be prescribed medication or asked to pause the use of some that you are already taking. You need to follow these instructions very carefully. If you fail to meet the requirements, your surgery may be cancelled up to the last moment for your safety.

Gastric Sleeve FAQ's

What happens during gastric sleeve surgery?

The gastric sleeve procedure follows these steps:

The surgeon makes several small incisions in the upper abdominal region. They may use advanced surgical methods to reduce visible scarring after surgery.
Surgical devices such as endoscopes are inserted into the incisions.
The external part of the stomach (around 70 to 80% of it) is removed.
Stapling equipment is used to fasten the stomach in its new shape and location.

Is gastric sleeve surgery painful?

You won’t feel any pain during the surgery as you will be under anaesthesia. The laparoscopic, minimally-invasive surgical method also reduces pain and recovery time after surgery. Common post-surgical symptoms include a tightness around your chest, the sensation of a stitch in your upper abdomen, especially below the rib cage, aches, and mild-to-moderate pain around the tip of the shoulder. Most post-surgical symptoms usually subside within three or four days. There may still be some discomfort after this period, but it is unlikely to limit your mobility or ability to perform regular tasks. Your medical team will also provide medication to deal with any discomfort. They will work to ensure that you are comfortable before, during, and after surgery.

How long does the surgical process take?

Usually, the entire surgical process takes less than one hour. However, you will require pre-operative treatment which may take some time. You will also require a short inpatient stay after surgery so that you can recover and your medical team can monitor your progress. This stay will be for a minimum of two nights.

What happens after surgery?

As the surgery uses minimally invasive keyhole incisions, any pain should subside quickly. The anaesthesia should also wear off within two to three hours and you will feel relatively alert again. Your medical team will prescribe medication depending on your general condition and response to surgery. You will remain in the hospital for two or three days while you fully recover and while your medical team monitors this recovery.

Will I experience hunger after surgery?

Most patients experience reduced hunger cravings following surgery. If you maintain a healthy diet and exercise plan and be able to eat less, then you should experience healthy, consistent weight loss.

How long is the recovery process?

You can expect a quick recovery after surgery assuming there are no complications. You will be able to resume regular activities within a few days. While there may be some mild pain or discomfort, it should fade in the days after surgery. You may have to wait four weeks or more before resuming more strenuous activities such as exercise or sports. While the recovery period is quite brief, you will have to make and maintain lifestyle changes in the long term to truly benefit from the surgery.

Can I take other medications?

Your doctor will prescribe medication before and after your surgery. You should inform them of any medications you are already taking. They may ask you to pause or stop your use of them before or after surgery. Your medical team will provide detailed instructions about medication. You should follow them precisely.

Will I experience constipation?

Although your stool volume may change, you won’t necessarily experience constipation after gastric sleeve surgery. Lower stool volume is completely normal due to a decrease in your food consumption. However, even after the surgery, it is vital to maintain a proper intake of fibre. Your dieticians and doctor will discuss this with you. Ideally, you should take fibre supplements after surgery. This will help you to maintain healthy and consistent bowel movements. If you experience any complications, inform your doctor and they will advise you.

Can people visit me?

You can have friends or family visit you during your inpatient stay after surgery. While you will not be in the hospital for so long, having visitors can benefit your recovery. While you may be low on energy for a few days, short visits can help you to maintain a positive mindset through the initial recovery phase. You should avoid having very frequent visits or large groups of visitors, however, as this can be quite draining.

Will I be able to eat as before, or will my eating habits change?

Your food habits will change substantially after gastric sleeve surgery. This is one of the main objectives of the procedure. You will have a smaller appetite so you will become full much more quickly. Your particular tastes in food and beverages may also change. In the days immediately after surgery, you may also have a reduced appetite due to the effects of the surgery and anaesthesia. After surgery, doctors generally recommend a Gastric Sleeve diet for at least two weeks. After this, you are asked to follow a pureed diet for two more weeks. You will then gradually transition to soft food items in two-week phases. You can then be able to eat pre-surgery food items within six to nine weeks of the surgery. As you eat, make sure you masticate thoroughly and eat slowly. Here’s a tip: Turkish black tea is a good source of antioxidants and flavonoids that can speed up recovery and reduce bad cholesterol at the same time. We highly recommend that you include this in your diet.

What’s the average cost of gastric sleeve Turkey surgery?

Having gastric sleeve surgery performed in Turkey is a practically cost-effective choice for those seeking bariatric surgery. With gastric sleeve Turkey costs significantly lower than in various other countries, it is no wonder why it is becoming increasingly popular to have any form of gastric sleeve procedure done abroad. Turkey offers gastric sleeves at some of the most competitive prices, allowing patients to have their surgery undertaken with experienced surgeons and receive great service while keeping costs low. Turkey even has all-inclusive gastric sleeve packages that provide the services necessary during your secondments, so you can rest assured knowing that everything is taken care of in one place and you can focus on your recovery and overall health without worrying about hidden costs.