- 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, normal food in small portions after about 6 to 8 weeks.
- Operation time
- About 1 to 2 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 who have not reached a healthy weight with diet, exercise or medication. International guidelines (ASMBS and IFSO, 2022) recommend considering surgery from a BMI of 35, and from a BMI of 30 for people with type 2 diabetes or other obesity-related metabolic disease; the UK NHS usually uses a BMI of 40, or 35 with a weight-related condition. These are general guides: your surgeon decides, after reviewing your health, whether a sleeve is suitable and safe for you.
How is it done?
Under general anaesthesia the surgeon works laparoscopically, through a few small incisions. Most of the stomach (roughly three quarters) is removed along its outer curve, leaving a narrow tube or 'sleeve'. The smaller stomach holds less food, and less of the hunger hormone ghrelin is produced. The operation cannot be reversed.
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 18 months | Most of the weight loss happens in this period; results vary. |
Gastric sleeve: 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 from the staple line, rare but serious, usually in the first weeks
- Bleeding
- Blood clots in the legs or lungs, reduced by walking early, compression stockings and medication
- New or worse heartburn (reflux)
- Narrowing of the sleeve
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies if supplements are not taken
- Gallstones during rapid weight loss
Life after the operation
- Small, slow meals; chew well and stop when you feel full.
- Eat protein first and drink between meals, not with them.
- Daily vitamin and mineral supplements, usually for life, as your surgeon advises.
- Regular blood tests, ideally with your family doctor at home.
- Avoid pregnancy for about 12 to 18 months after surgery.
- Exercise and long-term habits decide how well the result lasts.
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 sleeve or gastric bypass: which is better?
Neither is better for everyone. A sleeve is technically simpler and does not reroute the intestine. A bypass is often preferred if you have significant reflux or type 2 diabetes, or a higher BMI. Your surgeon recommends one after reviewing your health. Our sleeve vs bypass vs balloon comparison explains the differences.
How much weight can I lose with a gastric sleeve?
Results vary from person to person. Studies commonly report losing around 60% of excess weight, roughly 25 to 30% of total body weight, within 12 to 18 months. Your eating habits, activity and follow-up make a large difference, and some weight can come back over the years.
What can I eat after a gastric sleeve?
Usually clear liquids first, then full liquids and puréed food for the first weeks, soft food after that and normal food in small portions from about 6 to 8 weeks. You receive written instructions from your surgical team before you fly home; follow them rather than a general plan.
When can I fly home after a gastric sleeve?
Usually around day 5 or 6, after 3 nights in hospital and a final check. On the flight, walk regularly, drink small sips of water and wear compression stockings.
What are the risks of a gastric sleeve?
The most serious early risks are a leak from the staple line, bleeding and blood clots; they are rare but need fast treatment. Later, some people develop reflux or vitamin deficiencies. Your surgeon explains your personal risk at the assessment.
Can a gastric sleeve be reversed?
No. The removed part of the stomach cannot be put back. If needed, a sleeve can later be converted into a gastric bypass.
Will I have loose skin after losing weight?
Possibly, especially after a large weight loss. Body contouring, such as a tummy tuck, is usually considered only once your weight has been stable for several months.
Do I have to take vitamins for life?
In most cases, yes. A sleeve reduces how much you eat, so daily supplements and regular blood tests are recommended to prevent deficiencies.
Before you decide
- Gastric sleeve vs gastric bypass vs gastric balloon: an honest comparison
- Gastric bypass
- Gastric balloon
Related procedures
Information on this website is general and does not replace a medical consultation.