Single Port Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Turkey

How a Single Port Gastric Sleeve Works

A single port (also called single incision laparoscopic surgery, or SILS) gastric sleeve uses one small incision, typically 2-3 centimetres, placed inside or directly beside the navel (belly button). Through this single entry point, the surgeon inserts a specialised port that allows multiple surgical instruments and a camera to be used simultaneously.

The surgeon then performs the same procedure as a standard gastric sleeve: approximately 80% of the stomach is removed using a surgical stapler, leaving a narrow, banana-shaped sleeve. The removed portion of the stomach, which is responsible for producing ghrelin, the hunger hormone, is taken out through the same single incision.

The entire procedure takes approximately 50-70 minutes under general anaesthesia. It is performed by surgeons with specific training and experience in single port techniques, using advanced articulating instruments that allow precise movement through the single access point.

Standard Gastric Sleeve vs Single Port: What Is Different?

The clinical outcome is the same. Both procedures remove the same amount of stomach, produce the same hormonal changes, and deliver the same expected weight loss. The difference is entirely in the surgical approach:

Why Choose Single Port?

The single port technique offers three main advantages:

1. Minimal scarring. With the incision placed in the navel, the scar is essentially invisible once healed. For patients who are conscious about visible scarring, particularly those who plan to wear bikinis, crop tops, or fitted clothing after their weight loss, this is a significant benefit. Standard laparoscopic scars are small, but they are visible. A single port scar is not.

2. Reduced post-operative discomfort. Fewer incisions mean fewer sites of tissue disruption. Many single port patients report less pain in the days following their procedure compared to standard laparoscopic patients. This can translate to reduced need for pain medication and a more comfortable early recovery.

3. Potentially faster recovery. With only one incision site to heal instead of four or five, some patients find their recovery is slightly faster. The difference is typically measured in days rather than weeks, but for patients eager to return to their normal routine, every day matters.

The Technology Behind Single Port Surgery

Single port surgery requires specialised equipment that differs from standard laparoscopic instruments. The surgeon uses articulating (bendable) instruments that can pivot and rotate within the abdominal cavity, despite all entering through the same point. A high-definition camera provides real-time visualisation on a screen, and the surgeon works with the same precision as in a multi-port procedure.

This technology has matured significantly over the past decade. What was once considered an emerging technique is now well-established in high-volume bariatric centres. The hospitals in The Health Store Turkey's network that offer single port procedures have invested in the latest instrumentation and have surgeons with extensive experience in this approach.

A single port gastric sleeve may be right for you if:

• Your BMI is 30 or above (or 27.5+ with obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea)
• You have tried to lose weight through diet and exercise without lasting success
• You want the benefits of a gastric sleeve with minimal visible scarring
• You are committed to making long-term lifestyle changes after your procedure
• You are generally fit enough for a procedure under general anaesthesia

Most patients are aged between 18 and 65, though suitability is always assessed individually based on your overall health, medical history, and personal goals.

Who Is the Ideal Candidate?

The single port technique is particularly well-suited to patients who:

• Are concerned about visible scarring. If aesthetics matter to you (and for many patients, they do, after all, the goal is to feel better about your body), the single port approach offers a genuinely invisible result.
• Have a BMI in the 30-40 range. Patients with very high BMIs (over 50) may be better suited to the standard laparoscopic approach, as the single port technique can be more technically challenging in patients with significant abdominal fat.
• Are having their first abdominal procedure. Patients with previous abdominal surgery may have internal scar tissue (adhesions) that makes single port access more difficult. This is assessed during your medical review.
• Want to minimise recovery time. If returning to work or family responsibilities quickly is a priority, the reduced discomfort of the single port approach may help.

When Might Standard Laparoscopic Be Better?

Your surgical team may recommend the standard laparoscopic approach if:

• Your BMI is very high (typically above 50), where the single port technique may be more technically demanding
• You have significant previous abdominal surgery that could create adhesions
• There are anatomical factors identified during your medical review that make multi-port access safer

This is never a negative outcome. The standard laparoscopic gastric sleeve is an excellent procedure with decades of safety data. If your surgeon recommends it over the single port approach, it is because they believe it offers you the safest possible outcome. From £2,770, the standard gastric sleeve is also more affordable.

Your free consultation includes a full medical assessment. Your patient coordinator will review your BMI, medical history, body composition, and personal preferences to recommend whether the single port or standard approach is the right choice for you. There is no obligation and no pressure.

Before Your Procedure

Your journey begins with a free consultation, by phone, video call, or at one of our UK consultation days in cities including Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Livingston, and Letterkenny. Your patient coordinator discusses your goals, reviews your medical history, and explains both the single port and standard laparoscopic options so you can make an informed choice.

Once you decide to proceed, your team handles everything: flights, transfers, hotel, and hospital scheduling. You receive a comprehensive preparation guide that includes:

• The 2-week pre-operative diet. A liver-shrinking programme that reduces the size of your liver, giving your surgeon better access and making the procedure safer. This typically involves a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet with specific meal plans provided.
• Medication guidance. Which medications to continue, which to pause, and when.
• Practical preparation. What to pack, what to expect at each stage, and how to prepare your home for when you return.

Travel and Arrival

Your private VIP transfer meets you at the airport when you land in Turkey. You are taken directly to your 5-star hotel, where your personal translator is available to help with anything you need. Many patients arrive the day before their procedure to settle in and rest.

Your patient coordinator checks in with you on the evening before your procedure to confirm the schedule, answer any last-minute questions, and ensure you are comfortable.

On the Day of Your Procedure

Your transfer takes you from the hotel to the hospital. At the hospital, you are welcomed by your nursing team and settled into your private room. Pre-operative checks include blood pressure, heart rate, blood tests, and a final consultation with your surgeon.

Your surgeon will confirm the single port approach and explain exactly what will happen during the procedure. Your anaesthetist will also visit to discuss the general anaesthesia and answer any questions.

The procedure itself:

1. You are placed under general anaesthesia. You are asleep throughout and feel nothing.
2. A single 2-3cm incision is made in or beside your navel.
3. The specialised single port device is inserted, providing access for the camera and surgical instruments.
4. Your surgeon inflates your abdomen with carbon dioxide gas to create a clear working space.
5. Using articulating instruments, approximately 80% of your stomach is removed with a surgical stapler, leaving a narrow sleeve.
6. The removed stomach tissue is extracted through the single incision.
7. A leak test is performed to confirm the staple line is secure.
8. The incision is closed with dissolving sutures.

Total procedure time: approximately 50-70 minutes.

Immediately After

You are taken to the recovery room, where your medical team monitors you as the anaesthesia wears off. Once you are stable and comfortable, you are moved to your private room.

You will feel groggy and may have some discomfort around the incision site. Pain medication is administered to keep you comfortable. Your personal translator is available if you need to communicate with your medical team at any point.

Most patients are encouraged to get up and take short walks within hours of their procedure. This is one of the most important things you can do for your recovery, it helps prevent blood clots, reduces gas pain (from the carbon dioxide used during the procedure), and speeds up healing.

What to Expect During Recovery

Recovery from a single port gastric sleeve follows the same general timeline as a standard gastric sleeve, with many patients reporting slightly less discomfort in the early days due to having only one incision site.

Days 1-3 (Hospital): You remain in hospital for 2-3 nights. Your medical team monitors your vital signs, manages pain, and ensures you are tolerating clear fluids. You will be on a liquid-only diet, water, clear broth, and sugar-free drinks in very small amounts. Walking is encouraged several times a day.

Before discharge, your surgeon reviews your progress, confirms that the incision is healing well, and provides detailed written aftercare instructions.

Days 4-7 (Hotel Recovery): After discharge, you return to your 5-star hotel. Your patient coordinator checks in daily, and your translator is available if needed. You continue the clear liquid diet and gradually introduce protein shakes and smooth soups. Light walking around the hotel or local area is encouraged, but nothing strenuous.

Most patients feel well enough to fly home by day 5-7.

Week 1-2 (Home): You continue the liquid diet at home. Some discomfort around the incision may persist but should be improving steadily. Fatigue is common, your body is healing from a significant procedure while adjusting to a dramatically reduced calorie intake. Rest when you need to.

The single port advantage is most noticeable during this phase. With only one incision site (hidden in the navel), patients often report less pulling, tugging, or discomfort when moving, bending, or getting in and out of bed compared to those with four or five incision sites.

Week 2-4 (Soft Foods): You progress to soft, pureed foods, yoghurt, scrambled eggs, mashed vegetables, blended soups. Portions are very small (a few tablespoons at a time). Energy levels improve noticeably. Most patients feel ready to return to desk-based work by the end of week 2.

Weight loss is rapid during this phase. Most patients see 1-2 stone drop within the first month.

Month 2-3 (Transitioning to Normal Foods): You gradually reintroduce solid foods, starting with soft textures and progressing to a normal (but much smaller) diet. Your aftercare team provides guidance on which foods to introduce and which to avoid initially. This is when many patients describe a fundamental shift in their relationship with food, you simply do not want or need the quantities you used to eat.

Month 3-12 (Steady Weight Loss): Weight loss continues at a steady pace. Most patients lose 60-70% of their excess body weight within 12-18 months. Your 12-month aftercare programme supports you through this entire period with dietary guidance, progress reviews, and direct access to your care team.

Your 12-Month Aftercare Programme

Your care extends well beyond Turkey:

• Regular check-ins with your dedicated aftercare team at scheduled intervals
• Dietary and nutritional guidance tailored to each stage of your recovery
• UK aftercare clinics, NHS-registered wound care specialists available for face-to-face appointments
• Free sports and fitness access for 12 months to support your new active lifestyle
• Blood test guidance to monitor vitamin and mineral levels
• Direct communication with your patient coordinator by phone, WhatsApp, or email, whenever you need them

Scarring and Cosmetic Outcome

One of the primary reasons patients choose the single port technique is the cosmetic result. The single incision, placed within or directly beside the navel, heals to become virtually invisible within a few months. Many patients report that even close examination reveals no visible scar.

Compare this to the standard laparoscopic approach, which leaves 4-5 small scars (each 1-2cm) across the abdomen. While these are small, they are visible, particularly in swimwear or fitted clothing. For patients who have been overweight for years and are looking forward to confidently wearing clothes that show their stomach, the single port technique eliminates this concern entirely.

Every medical procedure carries some level of risk, and transparency about this is essential. You deserve clear information to make an informed decision.

Common Side Effects (Temporary)

These are experienced by most patients and resolve within the first few weeks:

• Nausea and discomfort in the first few days (managed with medication)
• Fatigue and low energy during the liquid diet phase
• Gas pain and bloating from the carbon dioxide used during the procedure (resolves within days; walking helps significantly)
• Sensitivity to certain foods as you reintroduce solids
• Acid reflux in some patients (usually temporary, manageable with medication)

Risks Specific to the Single Port Technique

The single port approach carries a small number of technique-specific considerations:

• Conversion to multi-port, In approximately 2-5% of single port procedures, the surgeon may need to convert to a standard multi-port approach during the operation. This can happen if visibility is limited, if adhesions from previous surgery are found, or if the surgeon determines that multi-port access would be safer for you. This is a safety decision, not a complication, it means your surgeon is prioritising your safety over aesthetics. You will have a standard laparoscopic result rather than a single port result, but the weight loss outcome is identical.
• Incision hernia, The single port incision is slightly larger (2-3cm) than each individual multi-port incision (1-2cm), which carries a marginally higher risk of incisional hernia at the navel site. This risk is still low (approximately 1-3%) and is monitored during your aftercare.

General Gastric Sleeve Risks

These risks apply to both single port and standard laparoscopic gastric sleeves:

• Infection at the incision site (minimised by JCI hospital hygiene standards)
• Blood clots (reduced by early mobilisation, compression stockings, and blood-thinning medication)
• Leaking from the staple line (rare, occurs in approximately 1-2% of cases and is monitored closely during your hospital stay through leak testing before discharge)
• Nutritional deficiencies (managed with a daily multivitamin and regular blood tests during your aftercare programme)
• Stricture (narrowing of the sleeve), uncommon but treatable if it occurs

How Your Risk Is Managed

Your procedure takes place in a JCI-accredited hospital with full intensive care facilities on site. Your surgical team has specific training and experience in single port bariatric techniques. Pre-operative assessments identify any individual risk factors that might affect your procedure, and your 2-3 night hospital stay provides thorough post-operative monitoring.

From January 2026, mandatory complication insurance for all medical tourism patients in Turkey provides additional protection, covering the cost of any corrective treatment if a complication arises.

It is completely normal to feel apprehensive about the risks. Your patient coordinator is available to discuss any specific concerns openly, every question is welcome, and honest answers are a commitment, not a courtesy.