Scarless Single Port Gastric Sleeve in Turkey

How the Scarless Technique Works

Your surgeon makes a single 2-3cm incision inside or immediately beside your navel (belly button). Through this one incision, a specialised single port device is inserted, which allows multiple surgical instruments and a high-definition camera to enter simultaneously.

Using advanced articulating instruments that can bend and rotate inside your abdomen, your surgeon removes approximately 80% of your stomach with a surgical stapler. The removed stomach tissue is extracted through the same navel incision. The incision is then closed with dissolving sutures.

Because the incision is placed within the natural folds of the navel, it heals to become virtually undetectable. Most patients report that even close examination reveals no visible scar within a few months of their procedure.

Why "Scarless"?

The term "scarless" refers to the cosmetic outcome, not the absence of an incision. There is a small scar, but it is hidden within the navel where it is effectively invisible once healed. Compare this to a standard laparoscopic sleeve, which leaves 4-5 small (1-2cm) scars across the abdomen, each individually small, but collectively visible, particularly in swimwear, crop tops, or fitted clothing.

Weight Loss: Identical Results

The scarless technique produces the same weight loss as a standard sleeve:

• 60-70% of excess body weight lost within 12-18 months
• Significant reduction in ghrelin (hunger hormone) production
• Same dietary progression and aftercare requirements
• Same long-term outcomes and health improvements

The scarless single port technique may be right for you if:

• Your BMI is 30 or above (or 27.5+ with obesity-related health conditions)
• You want the benefits of a gastric sleeve with minimal visible scarring
• Body confidence and cosmetic appearance after weight loss are important to you
• You have not had significant previous abdominal surgery (which could create adhesions)
• You are generally fit enough for a procedure under general anaesthesia

You may be better suited to the standard laparoscopic approach if:

• Your BMI is very high (above 50), where the single port technique can be more technically challenging
• You have had previous abdominal surgery that may have created internal scar tissue
• Your surgeon identifies anatomical factors during assessment that make multi-port access safer

If the single port approach is not suitable for you, the standard laparoscopic gastric sleeve is an excellent procedure with identical weight loss results, from £2,770. Your free consultation includes a full assessment to determine which approach is the right fit.

Before Your Procedure

Your journey begins with a free consultation where your patient coordinator discusses your goals, reviews your medical history, and explains the scarless technique. If you are a suitable candidate, your team arranges everything: transfers, hotel, and hospital scheduling.

You receive preparation guidance including a 2-week liver-shrinking diet. This pre-operative diet is particularly important for single port procedures, as a smaller liver gives your surgeon the best possible view and access through the single incision.

On the Day

Pre-operative checks include blood tests, ECG, and consultations with your surgeon and anaesthetist. Your surgeon confirms the single port approach and explains exactly what to expect.

The procedure takes approximately 50-70 minutes under general anaesthesia:

1. A single 2-3cm incision is made inside your navel.
2. The single port device is inserted.
3. Your abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide for clear visibility.
4. Approximately 80% of your stomach is removed with a surgical stapler.
5. A leak test confirms the staple line is secure.
6. The removed tissue is extracted, and the incision is closed.

After Your Procedure

You spend 2-3 nights in hospital. Your medical team monitors your recovery, manages pain, and ensures you tolerate clear fluids. Walking is encouraged within hours of the procedure. Your personal translator is available throughout.

Once discharged, you recover at your 5-star hotel before your airport transfer.

What to Expect During Recovery

Days 1-3 (Hospital): Clear liquids, pain management, and early mobilisation. The single port advantage is often noticeable during this phase, with only one incision site, patients frequently report less discomfort when moving, turning in bed, or getting up compared to the standard multi-incision approach.

Week 1-2 (Home): Liquid diet continues. The navel incision may have some bruising or swelling, which resolves within 1-2 weeks. Light walking is encouraged.

Week 2-4: Soft, pureed foods are introduced. Energy levels improve. Most patients return to desk-based work within 2 weeks. The navel incision is typically well-healed by the end of this phase.

Month 2-6: Gradual transition to normal foods in smaller portions. Rapid weight loss, many patients lose 2-3 stone in the first 3 months. The incision scar fades and blends into the natural folds of the navel.

Month 6-12: Continued weight loss. Most patients lose 60-70% of their excess body weight within 12-18 months. By this point, the navel scar is typically invisible to the naked eye.

The Cosmetic Result

The scarless outcome is one of the most commented-on benefits by patients who choose this technique. As your body transforms through weight loss, your abdomen is free from the visible scars that standard laparoscopic procedures leave behind. For patients looking forward to wearing swimwear, fitted clothing, or crop tops, this is a meaningful difference.

The scarless single port technique carries the same general risks as a standard gastric sleeve, with a small number of technique-specific considerations.

Standard Sleeve Risks

• Nausea and discomfort in the first few days
• Staple line leak (approximately 1-2%)
• Blood clots (reduced by early mobilisation)
• Nutritional deficiencies (managed with daily supplements)
• Acid reflux in some patients

Single Port-Specific Considerations

• Conversion to multi-port: In approximately 2-5% of cases, the surgeon may convert to a standard multi-port approach during the procedure if visibility or access is limited. This is a safety decision. The weight loss result is identical, but you will have standard laparoscopic scars rather than a single navel scar.
• Incisional hernia: The slightly larger navel incision (2-3cm) carries a marginally higher risk of hernia at the incision site compared to each individual multi-port incision. This risk is approximately 1-3%.

How Your Risk Is Managed

Your procedure takes place in a government-licensed hospital with experienced surgeons trained in single port techniques. Pre-operative assessments identify any factors that might affect the single port approach, and your 3-night hospital stay provides thorough monitoring.