Gastric Band to Bypass Conversion in Turkey
Remove your underperforming band and convert to a proven gastric bypass in a single procedure, from £3,385.
If your gastric band is no longer delivering results, or worse, causing complications, converting to a gastric bypass gives you a far more effective, long-term weight loss tool. The conversion is performed as a single procedure: your band is removed and the bypass is created in the same session, avoiding the need for two separate operations.
Gastric bands have a high long-term failure rate, with studies showing that up to 50% of bands are removed within 10 years due to complications, inadequate weight loss, or weight regain. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Converting from a band to a bypass is one of the most common revision procedures in bariatric surgery.
A gastric bypass works differently from a band. Instead of restricting the opening to your stomach, it creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes your small intestine, reducing both how much you can eat and how many calories your body absorbs. It also produces hormonal changes that reduce hunger and improve blood sugar control. Most patients lose 60-70% of their excess body weight within 12-18 months.
At The Health Store Turkey, your conversion package includes the procedure in a government-licensed hospital, 4 nights of hospital care, 5-star hotel accommodation, private airport transfers, a personal translator, and 12 months of aftercare. From £3,300, fully inclusive. In the UK, the same conversion costs £10,000-£15,000 privately.
What Is Gastric Band to Bypass Conversion?
How Band to Bypass Conversion Works
The procedure is performed in two stages during a single session under general anaesthesia:
Stage 1, Band removal: Your surgeon carefully removes the gastric band, tubing, and port. If scar tissue (adhesions) has formed around the band, this is dissected away. The condition of your stomach is assessed before proceeding to the next stage.
Stage 2, Gastric bypass creation: Your surgeon creates a small stomach pouch (approximately 30ml in volume) from the upper part of your stomach, separating it from the rest. A section of your small intestine is then connected directly to this pouch, bypassing the remaining stomach and the first part of the small intestine.
The entire procedure typically takes 90-150 minutes, depending on the complexity of the band removal and the amount of scar tissue present.
Why Bypass Rather Than Sleeve?
While both the gastric sleeve and gastric bypass are effective after band removal, the bypass may be recommended if you have a higher BMI, type 2 diabetes, or significant acid reflux. The bypass produces stronger hormonal changes that improve blood sugar control and is less likely to worsen reflux compared to a sleeve. Your surgical team will recommend the most appropriate option for your individual circumstances.
Am I Suitable?
A band to bypass conversion may be right for you if:
- Your gastric band has stopped producing adequate weight loss
- You have regained a significant amount of weight with your band in place
- Your band has caused complications such as slipping, erosion, reflux, or port infection
- You are experiencing persistent discomfort, vomiting, or difficulty eating
- You want a more effective, long-term weight loss procedure
You may not be suitable if you have serious unmanaged health conditions that make extended general anaesthesia unsafe, or if your surgical team determines that a staged approach (removal first, bypass later) would be safer based on the condition of your stomach after band removal.
Your free consultation includes a thorough review of your band history, symptoms, previous operative records, and current health. Your surgical team will assess whether a single-stage conversion is safe or whether a two-stage approach is recommended.
What Happens During the Procedure?
Before Your Procedure
Your patient coordinator collects your full band history, when it was placed, any adjustments or complications, and your current symptoms. Previous operative reports are requested if available, as they help your surgeon plan the approach.
You receive preparation guidance including a 2-week liver-shrinking diet, which is particularly important for revision procedures as it reduces liver size and improves surgical access.
On the Day
Pre-operative checks include blood tests, imaging, and consultations with your surgeon and anaesthetist. Your surgeon confirms whether the conversion can proceed as a single-stage procedure or whether a staged approach is needed.
The procedure takes 90-150 minutes under general anaesthesia. Your surgeon first removes the band and assesses your stomach, then creates the gastric bypass. Everything is done laparoscopically through small incisions.
After Your Procedure
You spend 3-4 nights in hospital, where your medical team monitors your recovery closely. Because this is a revision procedure, the monitoring period is slightly longer than for a first-time bypass. You begin with clear liquids and progress as your medical team directs.
Your personal translator is available throughout your hospital stay. Once discharged, you recover at your 5-star hotel before your airport transfer.
Recovery & Aftercare
What to Expect During Recovery
Recovery follows a similar pattern to a first-time gastric bypass, though some patients experience slightly more discomfort due to the additional step of band removal and adhesion dissection.
Days 1-4 (Hospital): Close monitoring, clear liquids, pain management, and early mobilisation. Walking is encouraged from day 1. Your medical team checks for any signs of complications.
Week 1-2 (Home): Liquid diet continues. Fatigue is common. Some patients notice that the persistent symptoms they experienced with their band (reflux, vomiting, difficulty eating) resolve quickly after the conversion.
Week 2-4: Soft, pureed foods are introduced. Energy levels improve. Most patients return to desk-based work within 2-3 weeks.
Month 2-6: Gradual transition to normal foods in smaller portions. Weight loss accelerates significantly, many patients find that the bypass produces far more consistent and effective weight loss than their band ever did.
Month 6-12: Steady weight loss continues. Your 12-month aftercare programme provides dietary guidance, progress reviews, and regular blood test monitoring. Lifelong vitamin supplementation (B12, iron, calcium, multivitamin) is essential after a bypass.
Risks & Considerations
A band to bypass conversion is a more complex procedure than a first-time bypass because it involves working with previously operated anatomy. Understanding the risks helps you make an informed decision.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea and discomfort in the first few days
- Fatigue during the liquid diet phase
- Dumping syndrome (nausea, cramping after sugary or fatty foods), common with bypass and manageable by adjusting your diet
Less Common Risks
- Staple line or anastomotic leak (approximately 1-3%, monitored during your hospital stay)
- Adhesion-related complications from the band removal phase
- Blood clots (reduced by early mobilisation and compression stockings)
- Nutritional deficiencies (managed with lifelong supplements and regular blood tests)
- Internal hernia (a risk with any bypass procedure)
- Conversion to open surgery if laparoscopic access is not safe (a precaution, not a complication)
How Your Risk Is Managed
Your procedure takes place in a government-licensed hospital with ICU facilities. Your surgical team has specific experience with revision bariatric procedures. The extended 4-night hospital stay allows thorough post-operative monitoring. Pre-operative imaging and blood work help identify potential challenges before your procedure.
UK vs Turkey: What You Save
UK prices are indicative ranges based on private healthcare providers. Your THST price is confirmed during your free consultation.
UK Aftercare: We Are Here When You Get Home
Unlike other medical tourism companies, we do not leave you on your own once you are back in the UK. We have two dedicated aftercare clinics staffed by NHS-registered wound care specialists, so you can see a professional face-to-face for wound checks, dressing changes, and recovery support.
Medical disclaimer: Results of any surgical or interventional procedure may vary from person to person. You are advised to consult your physician for detailed information before undergoing any procedure. The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute medical advice. See our Medical Disclaimer for full details.
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Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, yes. The majority of band to bypass conversions are performed as a single-stage procedure, with the band removed and the bypass created during the same session. This avoids the need for two separate anaesthetics and two recovery periods. However, if your surgeon finds significant damage, inflammation, or scar tissue during the band removal that makes it unsafe to proceed immediately with the bypass, they may recommend a staged approach, removal first, bypass several months later once the area has healed.
Most patients lose 60-70% of their excess body weight within 12-18 months of their gastric bypass, regardless of whether it is a first-time procedure or a conversion from a band. Many patients find that the bypass produces far more consistent weight loss than their band ever did, because it works through both restriction and hormonal changes rather than mechanical restriction alone. Your results depend on following the dietary and lifestyle guidance provided by your aftercare team.
Gastric bands have a high long-term failure rate for several reasons. The band may slip out of position, the stomach pouch above it may stretch, the band may erode into the stomach wall, or the port may become infected. Even when bands work initially, many patients find the weight loss plateaus or reverses over time. Studies show that up to 50% of gastric bands are removed within 10 years. This does not mean you did anything wrong, the technology has limitations that more modern procedures like the bypass do not share.
Both are excellent options. A gastric bypass may be recommended if you have type 2 diabetes (the bypass produces stronger metabolic improvements), significant acid reflux (the sleeve can sometimes worsen reflux), or a higher BMI. A gastric sleeve may be recommended if you prefer a simpler procedure with fewer long-term supplement requirements. Your surgical team will discuss both options during your consultation and recommend the most appropriate choice for your individual circumstances.
Conversion procedures are technically more complex than first-time bypasses because the surgeon is working with previously operated anatomy, including scar tissue from the band. However, in the hands of experienced revision surgeons, the complication rates are comparable. The surgical teams in The Health Store Turkey's network perform revision procedures regularly and are well-equipped to manage the additional complexity. Your extended hospital stay (4 nights) provides extra monitoring compared to a first-time procedure.
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