Gastric Band to Sleeve Conversion in Turkey
Replace your underperforming band with a proven gastric sleeve in a single procedure, from £3,330 with 12 months of aftercare.
If your gastric band has stopped working or is causing problems, converting to a gastric sleeve is one of the most popular and effective revision options. The conversion removes your band and creates a sleeve in a single procedure, giving you a permanent, proven weight loss tool without the mechanical complications that bands are known for.
The gastric sleeve works by permanently removing approximately 80% of your stomach, leaving a narrow, banana-shaped sleeve. Unlike a band, there is nothing to slip, erode, or need adjusting. The sleeve also reduces production of ghrelin (the hunger hormone), so your appetite is genuinely reduced, something a band cannot do.
Many patients who convert from a band to a sleeve describe it as the decision they wish they had made in the first place. The sleeve produces more consistent, more significant weight loss, with fewer long-term complications and no need for ongoing adjustments.
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. The same conversion in the UK costs £9,000-£14,000 privately.
What Is Gastric Band to Gastric Sleeve Conversion?
How Band to Sleeve Conversion Works
The procedure is performed in two stages during a single session under general anaesthesia:
Stage 1, Band removal: Your surgeon removes the gastric band, tubing, and port through small laparoscopic incisions. Any scar tissue (adhesions) that has formed around the band is carefully dissected away. Your surgeon then assesses the condition of your stomach to confirm it is safe to proceed with the sleeve.
Stage 2, Sleeve gastrectomy: Approximately 80% of your stomach is removed using a surgical stapler, leaving a narrow, sleeve-shaped pouch. The removed portion, which produces the hunger hormone ghrelin, is extracted through one of the incisions.
The entire procedure typically takes 90-120 minutes, depending on the complexity of the band removal.
Why Sleeve Rather Than Bypass?
The gastric sleeve is often the preferred conversion for band patients because it is a simpler procedure with fewer long-term supplement requirements. Your digestive system continues to function normally, and the risk of dumping syndrome (common with bypass) is avoided. However, if you have type 2 diabetes or significant acid reflux, a bypass may be recommended instead. Your surgical team will discuss both options during your consultation.
Am I Suitable?
A band to sleeve conversion may be right for you if:
- Your gastric band has stopped producing adequate weight loss
- You have regained weight with your band in place
- Your band has slipped, eroded, or is causing complications
- You are experiencing persistent reflux, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing due to the band
- You want a simpler, more effective long-term weight loss procedure
You may not be suitable if your stomach has been significantly damaged by the band (in which case a bypass may be recommended), or if your surgical team determines a staged approach is safer, removal first, sleeve later.
Your free consultation includes a detailed review of your band history, current symptoms, and goals. Previous operative reports help your surgeon plan the safest approach for your specific anatomy.
What Happens During the Procedure?
Before Your Procedure
Your patient coordinator collects your band history and previous surgical records. You receive preparation guidance including a 2-week liver-shrinking diet, which is especially important for revision procedures.
On the Day
Pre-operative checks include blood tests, imaging, and consultations with your surgeon and anaesthetist. Your surgeon confirms whether the conversion can be completed as a single procedure.
The procedure takes 90-120 minutes under general anaesthesia. Your surgeon removes the band and any scar tissue, assesses your stomach, and then creates the sleeve, all through small laparoscopic incisions.
After Your Procedure
You spend 3-4 nights in hospital with close monitoring. A leak test is performed to confirm the staple line is secure. You begin with clear liquids and progress as directed. Your personal translator is available throughout your stay.
Once discharged, you recover at your 5-star hotel before your airport transfer. Your aftercare team contacts you as soon as you arrive home.
Recovery & Aftercare
What to Expect During Recovery
Days 1-4 (Hospital): Close observation, clear liquids, pain management, and early walking. Your team monitors for any complications from both the band removal and the sleeve creation.
Week 1-2 (Home): Liquid diet continues. Many patients notice that problems caused by the band, reflux, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, resolve quickly. Some discomfort around the incision sites is normal.
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. Many conversion patients describe this as the first time they have experienced consistent, effective weight loss since their band was originally placed.
Month 6-12: Steady weight loss continues. Most patients lose 60-70% of their excess body weight within 12-18 months. Your aftercare programme includes dietary guidance, progress reviews, and blood test monitoring.
Vitamins After Conversion
You will need daily multivitamins and specific supplements (B12, iron, calcium, vitamin D), the same as any gastric sleeve patient. This is simpler than the supplement routine required after a bypass.
Risks & Considerations
A band to sleeve conversion carries the standard risks of a gastric sleeve, plus additional considerations related to the band removal.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea and discomfort in the first few days
- Fatigue during the liquid diet phase
- Acid reflux (may occur with sleeve; manageable with medication)
Less Common Risks
- Staple line leak (approximately 1-2%, monitored during your hospital stay)
- Adhesion-related complications during band removal
- Blood clots (reduced by early mobilisation and compression stockings)
- Infection at incision sites
- Nutritional deficiencies (managed with daily supplements)
- Conversion to open surgery if needed for safety
How Your Risk Is Managed
Your procedure takes place in a government-licensed hospital with experienced revision bariatric surgeons. The extended 4-night hospital stay provides thorough monitoring. Pre-operative imaging helps your surgeon plan for any scar tissue or adhesions from the band.
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.
What Our Patients Say
Real reviews from real patients. Their words, not ours.
"All I can say is thank you. The luxury hospital room, my surgeon's confidence, and the exceptional aftercare all exceeded expectations, at a fraction of UK costs."
"The staff are absolutely amazing. The coordinators are always there for you. The hospital is very clean and looks more like a spa or 5-star hotel."
"Fantastic care given from arriving at the airport to going home. I felt totally looked after and cared for. I would definitely use again."
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, yes. The majority of band to sleeve conversions are performed as a single-stage procedure. Your surgeon removes the band, assesses your stomach, and creates the sleeve in the same session, typically 90-120 minutes total. If significant damage or inflammation is found during band removal, your surgeon may recommend completing the sleeve at a later date to allow healing. This is a safety decision that is made during the procedure based on what the surgeon finds.
For most patients, significantly better. Gastric bands rely solely on mechanical restriction, squeezing the opening to your stomach, and do not change your hunger hormones. A gastric sleeve permanently reduces the size of your stomach and also removes the part that produces ghrelin (the hunger hormone). This means you feel genuinely less hungry, eat smaller portions, and experience more consistent weight loss. Most sleeve patients lose 60-70% of their excess body weight within 12-18 months.
In the UK, a band to sleeve conversion typically costs £9,000-£14,000 at a private hospital. This usually does not include hotel accommodation, airport transfers, a personal translator, or 12 months of dedicated aftercare. At The Health Store Turkey, the same conversion starts from £3,330, saving you 60-75% while receiving comprehensive care in a government-licensed hospital.
The recovery timeline is similar, though some conversion patients experience slightly more discomfort in the first week due to the additional step of band removal and adhesion dissection. The extra night in hospital (4 nights compared to 3 for a first-time sleeve) provides additional monitoring and allows your team to manage any discomfort effectively. Most patients feel ready for light activities within 7-10 days and return to work within 2-3 weeks.
If your reflux was caused by the band, it typically resolves after conversion. However, gastric sleeves can sometimes cause new acid reflux in a small percentage of patients, this is usually mild and manageable with medication. If you already have significant reflux issues, your surgical team may recommend a bypass rather than a sleeve, as the bypass is less likely to worsen reflux. This is discussed during your consultation based on your specific symptoms.
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