Gastric Sleeve (Gastrectomy) in Turkey: prices of the best clinics in Istanbul

What exactly is the gastric sleeve?

The gastric sleeve, also called sleeve gastrectomy, longitudinal gastrectomy, or sleeve gastrectomy, is a minimally invasive bariatric surgery that works on two fronts at the same time:

• Restrictive: It reduces the stomach volume by approximately 75-80%, turning it into a narrow tube (the "sleeve") with a capacity of about 100-150 ml.
• Hormonal: By removing most of the gastric fundus, it drastically reduces the production of ghrelin, the hunger hormone. The result is earlier and longer-lasting satiety, which makes portion control easier. Lasting results, however, still depend on your personal commitment to new eating habits and an active lifestyle.

Unlike gastric bypass or the gastric band, the gastric sleeve does not alter the path of food through the intestine, which simplifies the procedure and reduces certain nutritional risks. However, it is an irreversible intervention that requires a long-term commitment to lifestyle changes.

Are you an ideal candidate for sleeve gastrectomy?

Sleeve gastrectomy is especially recommended for people who:

• Have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40.
• Have a BMI between 35 and 40 associated with comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease.
• Have not achieved lasting results with diets, exercise, or conventional medical treatments.
• Are motivated to adopt permanent lifestyle changes after surgery.

What are the real benefits of the gastric sleeve?

Benefits go beyond the scale, but they vary from patient to patient and are not guaranteed:

How does the gastric sleeve process unfold in Turkey?

The care pathway extends well beyond the operation itself. The preoperative evaluation can take several weeks, the hospital stay lasts 1 to 3 nights, and medical and nutritional follow-up continues for years, then once a year for life. It is divided into three phases: preoperative preparation, the surgical intervention, and postoperative follow-up.

What happens before the surgery?

Before the date is confirmed, there is an evaluation that many patients do not anticipate: blood tests, cardiology and anesthesia assessment, a nutritional consultation, a psychological interview and, in some cases, an endoscopy. It is what allows the protocol to be adapted to you. In the days before surgery a liquid or low-fat diet is often prescribed to reduce the size of the liver, and the anesthesiologist gives the fasting instructions.

How long does the sleeve gastrectomy operation take?

About one to two hours, under general anesthesia and by laparoscopy, through a few small incisions. The surgeon removes most of the stomach, leaving a narrow tube.

How much weight is lost after the gastric sleeve?

Weight loss is not linear and differs from patient to patient. It is usually fastest in the first months and then slows. In SM-BOSS, excess BMI loss at 5 years was 61.1%, and in SLEEVEPASS median excess weight loss at 10 years was 43.5%.

Risks and complications: what you should know

Transparency is fundamental in our relationship with patients. As with any major surgical intervention, the gastric sleeve carries risks that you should know and discuss with your surgeon:

• General surgical risks: Infection, bleeding, venous thrombosis, or anesthetic complications are common to any procedure under general anesthesia.
• Staple line leak: This is the most specific complication of this surgery. It occurs when the staples or sutures that close the stomach do not seal properly, which can lead to an abdominal infection. Its incidence in specialized centers is low.
• Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD): Some patients experience an increase in acid reflux after surgery. In most cases, it is controlled with medication, although in patients with severe pre-existing GERD an alternative procedure may need to be considered.
• Food intolerance: Nausea, vomiting, or a feeling of blockage are possible, especially in the first weeks while adapting to the new stomach volume.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Reduced intake can lead to deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and calcium. Therefore, lifelong nutritional supplementation is mandatory.

Remember that each case is unique. The personalized preoperative evaluation we perform is precisely the moment to analyze your individual risk profile in detail and ensure that this intervention is the most appropriate for you.

Gastric sleeve vs. other bariatric procedures

How to know if the gastric sleeve is the best option for you? This comparative table offers a first orientation:

The choice between procedures should always be made together with your bariatric surgeon, taking into account your medical history, your goals, and your personal preferences.

Why have your gastric sleeve with Turquie Santé?

Choosing where to have surgery is an important decision. Here is what Turquie Santé does:

• Forwards your file to the bariatric surgeon at the partner clinic, who reviews it before any decision.
• Sends a detailed quote, with what is included and what is not.
• Coordinates the pre-consultation, the tests, the trip and your contact with the clinic before and after surgery. The scope of follow-up varies by clinic.
• Arranges airport pickup, transfers, an interpreter and 7-day assistance during your stay.
• Real patient reviews: you can read the reviews published by people treated in our clinic network.

Ask the clinic about its accreditations (such as JCI),the surgeon's training, how many sleeves he or she performs each year and its complication rates.

Medical sources and scientific references

The information presented on this page is supported by published clinical data and recommendations from international organizations. Not by our own estimates.

• WHO — Obesity and Overweight (Fact Sheet) Global data on obesity prevalence. Source of the statistic "one in eight people worldwide."
• Angrisani L. et al. — IFSO Worldwide Survey 2020-2021.  Obesity Surgery (2024). Confirms that sleeve gastrectomy was the most performed bariatric intervention worldwide in 2020 and 2021.
• ASMBS & IFSO — Indications for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (2022). Joint clinical guidelines that establish current indications and patient profiles for bariatric surgery.
• Lind R. et al. — Long-Term Outcomes of Sleeve Gastrectomy, Obesity Surgery (2023). A multicenter retrospective study of patients with more than 5 years of follow-up after sleeve gastrectomy, with data on weight loss and reintervention rates.
• Sakran N. et al. — Long-Term Reported Outcomes Following Primary Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, Obesity Surgery (2023). Retrospective analysis of 578 patients with a mean follow-up of 8.8 years after surgery, documenting weight outcomes and patients' subjective experience.
• Ghanem OM. et al. — Comprehensive Long-Term Outcomes of Sleeve Gastrectomy with Up to 14 Years of Follow-up, Obesity Surgery (2025). Retrospective cohort study of 830 patients with a mean follow-up of nearly 10 years, documenting durability of weight loss and resolution of obesity-related comorbidities.

This page is for informational purposes. It does not replace consultation with a qualified medical professional.