- Price
- Personal quote
- Stay in Istanbul
- 5 to 6 days (3 nights in hospital)
- Recovery
- 3 nights in hospital, desk work after about 2 weeks, lifelong vitamin supplements and regular blood tests.
- Operation time
- About 2 to 3 hours
- Anaesthesia
- General anaesthesia
- Hospital stay
- 3 nights
- Back to desk work
- About 2 weeks
Updated:
Who is it for?
It is for adults living with obesity, often with type 2 diabetes or significant reflux, who have not reached a healthy weight with other treatment. International guidelines (ASMBS and IFSO, 2022) recommend considering surgery from a BMI of 35, and from a BMI of 30 with type 2 diabetes or other obesity-related metabolic disease. These are general guides: your surgeon decides, after reviewing your health, whether a bypass is suitable for you.
How is it done?
Under general anaesthesia and laparoscopically, the surgeon divides the top of the stomach to form a small pouch and connects it to a lower loop of the small intestine (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass). Food bypasses most of the stomach and the first part of the intestine. Nothing is removed, but the operation is designed to be permanent.
Recovery timeline
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Before surgery | Blood tests and checks in Istanbul; your surgeon confirms the plan. |
| Day 1 | Surgery; you start walking the same day. |
| Days 1 to 3 | 3 nights in hospital; clear liquids are started step by step. |
| Days 4 to 6 | Rest at the hotel, final check and flight home. |
| Weeks 1 to 4 | Liquid, then puréed food; short walks every day. |
| About 2 weeks | Back to desk work for most people. |
| Weeks 4 to 8 | Soft food, then gradually normal food in small portions. |
| 12 to 24 months | Most of the weight loss happens in this period; results vary. |
Gastric bypass: price
Personal quote You receive a fixed written price after your free assessment.
- Hotel during your stay
- Hospital stay
- Accommodation for one companion
- Breakfast
- VIP airport and hospital transfers
- Blood tests
- Follow-up visits
- Complication insurance
- 1 year of online aftercare
Flights are not included.
What does the complication insurance cover?
Complication insurance for treatment in Turkey is included in the price and paid by the clinic, with no extra payment for you. The exact cover, limits and duration are set out in the written policy; ask your coordinator to explain them before you book.
For your personal fixed price: Message us on WhatsApp
What happens after you contact us
- Send your photosShare a few photos and your wishes on WhatsApp or by email. Everything stays confidential.
- Doctor's reviewOur doctor reviews your photos and you receive a written treatment plan with a fixed price.
- Plan your datesChoose dates that suit you; your coordinator organises the rest of your trip with you.
We usually reply within a few hours. Our coordinators speak 15 languages, including English.
Free assessment
Leave your number and your personal coordinator will message you on WhatsApp. After a surgeon's review, we'll send you a written treatment plan with a fixed price.
Risks and possible complications
Every operation carries risks. Your surgeon explains them in person, and checks your health before deciding whether surgery is right for you. The most important ones are:
- Leak at one of the connections, rare but serious, usually in the first weeks
- Bleeding
- Blood clots in the legs or lungs, reduced by walking early, compression stockings and medication
- Ulcer at the new connection; smoking and anti-inflammatory painkillers increase the risk
- Internal hernia or bowel obstruction, sometimes years later
- Dumping syndrome (dizziness, sweating or diarrhoea after sugary food)
- Deficiencies of vitamin B12, iron, calcium and vitamin D without lifelong supplements
Life after the operation
- Small meals, eaten slowly; avoid sugary and very fatty food to prevent dumping.
- Eat protein first and drink between meals, not with them.
- Lifelong vitamin and mineral supplements, as your surgeon advises.
- Regular blood tests, ideally with your family doctor at home.
- No smoking and no anti-inflammatory painkillers unless a doctor approves.
- Avoid pregnancy for about 12 to 18 months after surgery.
Why patients choose EstheBeyond
- Operations by experienced bariatric (obesity) surgeons in licensed, fully equipped partner hospitals.
- Partner hospitals hold the Turkish Ministry of Health authorisation for international patients, and complication insurance is included.
- One fixed, written price after a free assessment, with hotel, hospital stay, transfers, tests and check-ups.
- One personal coordinator on WhatsApp, in English or your own language, from your first question to your aftercare at home.
- 1 year of online aftercare after you fly home.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Gastric bypass or gastric sleeve: which should I choose?
A bypass is often recommended when there is significant reflux or type 2 diabetes; a sleeve is simpler and avoids rerouting the intestine. Both are effective. Your surgeon recommends one after reviewing your health; see our sleeve vs bypass vs balloon comparison.
How much weight can I lose with a gastric bypass?
Results vary. Studies commonly report losing around 60 to 70% of excess weight, roughly 30% of total body weight, within 12 to 24 months. Long-term results depend on eating habits, activity and follow-up.
Can a gastric bypass help with type 2 diabetes?
In many people blood sugar improves, sometimes within weeks, and some can reduce or stop diabetes medication. This is not guaranteed; your doctors adjust your medication and monitor you.
What can I eat after a gastric bypass?
Liquids first, then puréed and soft food over several weeks, and normal food in small portions from about 6 to 8 weeks. Sugary drinks and sweets can cause dumping syndrome. You receive written instructions from your surgical team before you fly home.
When can I fly home after a gastric bypass?
Usually around day 5 or 6, after 3 nights in hospital and a final check. Walk regularly on the flight, sip water and wear compression stockings.
What are the risks of a gastric bypass?
Early risks include leaks, bleeding and blood clots; later risks include ulcers, internal hernia, dumping syndrome and vitamin deficiencies. Lifelong supplements and follow-up blood tests lower the long-term risks.
Is a gastric bypass reversible?
Technically it can sometimes be reversed, but it is a major operation and is done only for serious medical reasons. Plan it as a permanent change.
Can I get pregnant after a gastric bypass?
Yes, fertility often improves with weight loss. Doctors usually advise waiting 12 to 18 months until your weight is stable, and checking your vitamins before and during pregnancy.
Before you decide
- Gastric sleeve vs gastric bypass vs gastric balloon: an honest comparison
- Gastric sleeve
- Gastric balloon
Related procedures
Information on this website is general and does not replace a medical consultation.