Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Turkey
The gold standard in bariatric surgery, powerful weight loss through restriction and malabsorption, from £3,160.
The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is considered the gold standard in bariatric surgery. It has been performed for over 50 years, with more long-term outcome data than any other weight loss procedure. It works through both restriction (a smaller stomach pouch) and malabsorption (bypassing a section of the small intestine), producing powerful, sustained weight loss.
Most patients lose 65-75% of their excess body weight within 12-18 months. Beyond weight loss, the Roux-en-Y bypass produces significant metabolic improvements, up to 80% of patients with type 2 diabetes see their condition go into remission or improve dramatically. High blood pressure, sleep apnoea, joint pain, and cholesterol levels also typically improve.
The Roux-en-Y is often recommended for patients with a higher BMI (40+), those with type 2 diabetes, or patients who have not achieved sufficient results with a gastric sleeve or band. It is a more complex procedure than a sleeve, but the additional complexity is offset by stronger weight loss and metabolic outcomes.
At The Health Store Turkey, your Roux-en-Y gastric bypass package includes the procedure in a JCI-accredited hospital, 4 nights of hospital care, 5-star hotel accommodation, private airport transfers, a personal translator, and 12 months of dedicated aftercare. From £3,100, fully inclusive. In the UK, this procedure costs £9,000-£15,000 privately.
What Is Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass?
How the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Works
The Roux-en-Y bypass involves two key changes to your digestive system:
1. Creating a small stomach pouch: Your surgeon divides the top of your stomach from the rest, creating a small pouch approximately the size of an egg (around 30ml). This drastically limits how much food you can eat at each meal.
2. Rerouting the small intestine: The small intestine is divided, and the lower section (the "Roux limb") is connected directly to the new stomach pouch. The upper section (which carries digestive juices from the bypassed stomach) is reconnected further down the intestine. This creates a Y-shaped configuration, which is where the name "Roux-en-Y" comes from.
The result is that food bypasses the larger, excluded stomach and the first portion of the small intestine. This produces two effects: you eat much less (restriction), and your body absorbs fewer calories from what you do eat (malabsorption). Additionally, the bypass triggers powerful hormonal changes that improve insulin sensitivity, reduce appetite, and regulate blood sugar.
The procedure is performed laparoscopically (through small keyhole incisions) under general anaesthesia and typically takes 60-90 minutes.
Why Is It Called the "Gold Standard"?
The Roux-en-Y has the longest track record of any bariatric procedure. Decades of research demonstrate consistent, durable weight loss and significant metabolic improvements. It is the benchmark against which all other bariatric procedures are measured.
Am I Suitable?
A Roux-en-Y gastric bypass may be right for you if:
- Your BMI is 35 or above (or 30+ with significant obesity-related health conditions)
- You have type 2 diabetes and want the strongest chance of remission
- You have tried other weight loss approaches (including potentially a sleeve or band) without adequate results
- You are willing to commit to lifelong vitamin supplementation and dietary changes
- You are fit enough for a procedure under general anaesthesia
You may not be suitable if:
- You have conditions affecting the small intestine (such as Crohn's disease) that make bypass risky
- You are not willing or able to commit to lifelong supplementation
- You have unmanaged psychological health concerns that could affect your recovery
- You have serious heart or lung conditions that make general anaesthesia unsafe
Your free consultation includes a full medical assessment. Your patient coordinator will review your BMI, medical history, any previous bariatric procedures, and your goals to confirm whether a Roux-en-Y bypass is the right choice, or whether a sleeve, mini bypass, or other approach might be more appropriate.
What Happens During the Procedure?
Before Your Procedure
Your journey begins with a free consultation. Your patient coordinator discusses your goals, reviews your medical history, and explains the bypass in detail. If you have type 2 diabetes, your metabolic health is assessed as part of the evaluation.
Once you decide to proceed, your team arranges everything. You receive a comprehensive preparation guide including a 2-week liver-shrinking diet, medication guidance, and what to pack.
On the Day
You arrive at the hospital having fasted overnight. Pre-operative checks include blood tests, ECG, and consultations with your surgeon and anaesthetist. Your surgeon confirms the planned approach and answers any final questions.
The procedure takes 60-90 minutes under general anaesthesia. Your surgeon works laparoscopically through small incisions, creating the stomach pouch and the two intestinal connections that form the Y-shape. A leak test is performed before completing the procedure.
After Your Procedure
You spend 3-4 nights in hospital. Your medical team monitors your recovery closely, checking for any complications, managing pain, and ensuring you tolerate clear liquids. Walking is encouraged from the first day.
If you have type 2 diabetes, your blood sugar levels are monitored closely, and medication is adjusted as needed, many patients see improvements within 48 hours.
Once discharged, you recover at your 5-star hotel before your airport transfer. Your aftercare team stays in contact from the moment you return home.
Recovery & Aftercare
What to Expect During Recovery
Days 1-4 (Hospital): Close monitoring, clear liquids, pain management. Walking is essential, several times daily to prevent blood clots and reduce gas pain. Your team checks for any signs of complications at the two connection points.
Week 1-2 (Home): Liquid diet continues. Fatigue is common as your body adjusts. Some patients experience dumping syndrome (nausea, cramping, sweating) if they consume sugary or fatty liquids, this is your body's new response to these foods and settles as you learn what to avoid.
Week 2-4: Soft, pureed foods are introduced. Energy levels improve significantly. Most patients return to desk-based work within 2-3 weeks. Physical roles may require 4 weeks.
Month 2-6: Gradual transition to normal foods in small portions. Weight loss is rapid during this phase, many patients lose 2-3 stone in the first 3 months. Your relationship with food changes fundamentally. Dumping syndrome helps reinforce healthier food choices.
Month 6-12: Continued steady weight loss. Most patients lose 65-75% of their excess body weight within 12-18 months. Your 12-month aftercare programme provides dietary guidance, progress reviews, and regular blood tests.
Lifelong Supplements
After a Roux-en-Y bypass, you will need lifelong vitamin and mineral supplementation: a daily multivitamin, vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and vitamin D at minimum. Regular blood tests ensure your levels remain healthy. This is a non-negotiable commitment, without supplements, you risk serious nutritional deficiencies over time.
Risks & Considerations
The Roux-en-Y bypass is a well-established procedure with extensive safety data, but it is important to understand the risks.
Common Side Effects
- Dumping syndrome (nausea, cramping, diarrhoea, sweating after sugary or fatty foods), affects approximately 50% of patients and is managed by dietary adjustments
- Fatigue during the early recovery phase
- Changes in bowel habits
- Sensitivity to certain foods
Less Common Risks
- Anastomotic leak at one of the two connection points (approximately 1-3%, monitored during your hospital stay)
- Internal hernia (a risk specific to bypass procedures, can occur months or years later)
- Nutritional deficiencies (managed with lifelong supplements and regular blood tests)
- Blood clots (reduced by early mobilisation and compression stockings)
- Stricture (narrowing) at the connection between stomach pouch and intestine (treatable if it occurs)
- Marginal ulcer at the connection site (uncommon, treatable with medication)
How Your Risk Is Managed
Your procedure takes place in a JCI-accredited hospital with ICU facilities. Your surgical team performs Roux-en-Y bypass procedures regularly using the latest laparoscopic equipment. Pre-operative assessments identify individual risk factors, leak testing is performed during the procedure, and your 4-night hospital stay provides thorough post-operative monitoring.
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.
"The staff is first class. Outstanding cleanliness, personable surgeon, and attention to detail that surpassed UK care."
"Absolutely amazing care. From the welcoming airport greeting to the high-standard pre-op testing, everything was fantastic."
"I have had surgery here and cannot say enough positive things. A five-star experience throughout. The care was consistent."
Frequently Asked Questions
A gastric sleeve reduces your stomach size but does not alter your intestines. A Roux-en-Y bypass creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes your small intestine, adding malabsorption (reduced calorie absorption) to the restriction. The bypass typically produces greater total weight loss, stronger metabolic improvements (particularly for type 2 diabetes), and resolves acid reflux. However, it is a more complex procedure, requires lifelong vitamin supplementation, and carries specific risks such as dumping syndrome and internal hernia. Your consultation will help determine which procedure is right for your circumstances.
Up to 80% of patients with type 2 diabetes see their condition go into remission or improve significantly after a Roux-en-Y bypass. The bypass triggers hormonal changes that improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar regulation, effects that often begin within days of the procedure, before significant weight loss has occurred. Patients with diabetes for fewer than 10 years and who still produce some insulin tend to have the highest remission rates. However, remission is not certain for every patient, and regular monitoring is recommended even after medication is reduced or stopped.
Dumping syndrome occurs when food (particularly sugary or fatty food) moves too quickly from your small stomach pouch into the intestine. Symptoms include nausea, cramping, diarrhoea, sweating, dizziness, and a racing heartbeat. It typically occurs 15-30 minutes after eating trigger foods. While uncomfortable, many patients find that dumping syndrome actually helps them maintain better eating habits, it reinforces the avoidance of sugary and fatty foods. Symptoms are managed by eating slowly, choosing protein-rich foods, and avoiding simple sugars.
In the UK, a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass costs £9,000-£15,000 at a private hospital, typically without hotel accommodation, airport transfers, a personal translator, or 12 months of dedicated aftercare. At The Health Store Turkey, the same procedure starts from £3,160, covering the procedure in a JCI-accredited hospital, 4 nights of hospital care, 5-star hotel, private VIP transfers, personal translator, and 12 months of aftercare. You save 60-75% with no compromise on quality.
For life. Because your intestine is rerouted and a section is bypassed, your body absorbs fewer vitamins and minerals from food. You will need a daily multivitamin, vitamin B12 (often as a sublingual tablet or injection), iron, calcium with vitamin D, and potentially additional supplements based on your blood test results. Regular blood tests, typically every 3-6 months in the first year, then annually, monitor your levels and guide any adjustments. This is a lifelong commitment that is essential for your long-term health after a bypass.
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