Search every stage of the gastric sleeve journey.

Sleeve gastrectomy is a permanent bariatric operation that removes much of the stomach and leaves a narrow, sleeve-shaped stomach. The intestines are not rerouted.

A smaller stomach supports fullness after smaller portions, while hormonal and metabolic changes can also reduce hunger. It remains a tool that works best with nutrition, activity and long-term follow-up.

Around 80% is commonly removed, although the exact technique is decided by the surgeon for the individual patient. The removed part is not put back later.

No. Sleeve gastrectomy permanently removes part of the stomach. Revision to another bariatric procedure may be possible in selected situations, but that is not the same as reversing it.

No. Surgical sleeve removes stomach tissue through keyhole surgery. ESG uses internal endoscopic sutures without removing the stomach, so suitability, expected outcomes and risks differ.

Sleeve reduces stomach size without rerouting the intestines. Gastric bypass creates a small pouch and changes the food pathway; reflux, diabetes, medicines, nutrition risk and previous surgery can influence which option is considered.

NICE recommends specialist bariatric assessment at BMI 40 or above, or 35–39.9 with a significant condition that may improve with weight loss. Lower thresholds can apply to some ethnic groups and clinical circumstances; BMI alone never confirms suitability.

Weight loss and metabolic changes after bariatric surgery may improve blood-glucose control and reduce medicine needs in some people. Outcomes vary, and diabetes medicines must be managed by the clinical team around surgery.

Sleeve can cause new reflux or worsen existing reflux, so symptoms and any relevant tests must be reviewed before choosing an operation. For some patients a different procedure may be more appropriate.

Age is considered alongside frailty, anaesthetic risk, other illnesses, nutrition and the ability to maintain follow-up. An online age cut-off cannot replace a multidisciplinary assessment.

Previous operations do not automatically rule out a sleeve, but scar tissue, altered anatomy and the reason for earlier surgery can change risk and technique. The surgeon needs operation records when available.

Uncontrolled medical or psychological conditions, untreated eating disorders, severe anaesthetic risk, active substance misuse, inability to follow aftercare, or anatomy that favours another procedure may delay or change the plan. Decisions are individual.

The written plan commonly includes blood tests, ECG, ultrasound and anaesthetic and surgeon assessment. Additional heart, lung, sleep-apnoea, endoscopy or imaging tests depend on history and findings.

Smoking and nicotine increase surgical, lung, clot and healing risks. Tell the team about cigarettes, vaping and nicotine products and follow the stop date they give you; do not hide current use.

Many bariatric programmes prescribe a short pre-operative diet to reduce liver size and make keyhole surgery safer. Follow only the plan and duration provided by your bariatric team.

No provider or destination is automatically safe. Check your personal risk assessment, the named surgeon and hospital, how leaks, bleeding and clots are managed, how long you should remain in Turkey, and the written aftercare and emergency plan before booking.

There is no single reliable Turkey-wide number that can predict an individual's risk, and figures for all medical procedures abroad are not gastric-sleeve rates. Ask each provider for recent, audited sleeve-specific outcomes and discuss how your health changes the risk; do not treat a marketing percentage as a personal estimate.

Possible complications include bleeding, staple-line leak, infection, blood clots, anaesthetic problems, reflux, narrowing, gallstones, nutritional deficiencies and weight regain. Your personal risk depends on health, anatomy and the planned care pathway.

A leak means stomach contents escape through part of the staple line, potentially causing serious infection. It needs urgent hospital assessment and may require antibiotics, drainage, endoscopy or further surgery.

Prevention may include early walking, compression devices or stockings and anticoagulant injections according to individual risk. Sudden breathlessness, chest pain or one-sided leg swelling needs emergency help.

Yes. New or worsened heartburn is a recognised disadvantage of sleeve gastrectomy. Persistent symptoms should be reviewed rather than managed indefinitely without medical advice.

A narrowed part of the sleeve can make swallowing or keeping food and fluids down difficult. Persistent vomiting, pain or food sticking needs prompt assessment and may require endoscopic treatment.

Rapid weight loss can increase gallstone risk. New upper-abdominal pain, especially with fever, jaundice or vomiting, should be assessed by a clinician.

Seek urgent help for severe or increasing abdominal pain, breathlessness, chest pain, a fast heart rate, fever, persistent vomiting, fainting, significant bleeding, one-sided leg swelling or inability to keep fluids down. Do not wait for an online reply.

Operating time varies with anatomy, previous surgery and findings. Your team should explain the planned approach, but safety and careful technique matter more than a promised number of minutes.

The IOC package states 2 nights in a private hospital room for an uncomplicated accepted case. Discharge depends on drinking, mobility, observations, pain control and the clinical team’s assessment.

Incision discomfort, abdominal tightness and gas-related shoulder pain can occur early and usually improve. Severe, increasing or unusual pain is not something to normalise and needs clinical advice.

Short, supported walks usually begin when the hospital team says it is safe. Gradual movement supports recovery and helps reduce clot risk; intensity should increase slowly.

Timing depends on recovery and whether work is desk-based or physically demanding. Many people need several weeks, and heavy work may require longer; follow the surgeon’s written advice.

Drive only when the care team agrees, you are off sedating pain medicine, can wear a seat belt comfortably and can perform an emergency stop safely. Check your insurer’s requirements as well.

Walking increases gradually, while strenuous exercise and heavy lifting wait until the surgical team confirms healing. Your discharge plan takes priority over a generic online timetable.

Choose a position that does not strain incisions and makes breathing comfortable; some people prefer an elevated upper body early on. Follow specific hospital advice and seek help if breathlessness is new or worsening.

A typical pathway moves from liquids to puréed food, soft food and then balanced solid textures. Programmes differ, so do not skip stages or copy another patient’s dates; use the plan from your bariatric dietitian.

Sip approved fluids little and often rather than taking large gulps. Dark urine, dizziness, very low urine output or inability to keep fluids down can indicate dehydration and needs prompt advice.

Protein supports healing and helps preserve muscle during rapid weight loss. Your dietitian should give an individual target and suitable choices for each food stage.

Bariatric guidance recommends routine long-term supplements and nutritional monitoring after sleeve surgery because deficiencies can develop despite a balanced diet. Exact products and doses must follow blood results and your clinical team.

Follow-up commonly checks blood count, iron stores, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, kidney and liver markers, with additions based on symptoms and local guidance. Monitoring is more frequent in the first year and continues at least annually long term.

Temporary shedding can occur during rapid weight loss, but low protein, iron or other deficiencies may contribute. Report significant or persistent hair loss so diet, supplements and blood tests can be reviewed.

Avoid alcohol during healing and follow your team’s timeframe. Tolerance and absorption can change, alcohol adds calories without useful nutrition, and it can interact with medicines and increase risk.

Persistent vomiting is not normal aftercare. It can cause dehydration and thiamine deficiency or signal narrowing or another complication, so contact the surgical team promptly; seek urgent help if you cannot keep fluids down.

Weight loss varies with starting weight, health, eating patterns, activity and follow-up. The clinic may discuss ranges using total or excess weight loss, but no responsible provider can guarantee an exact number.

Short plateaus can happen as the body and intake change. Repeated weighing alone is not enough; hydration, protein, portions, movement, sleep, medicines and medical issues may need review.

Some adaptation and increased capacity can occur, and weight regain has several biological, behavioural, medical and anatomical causes. Early review with the bariatric team is more useful than blame or an automatic revision operation.

Loose skin depends on total loss, age, genetics, smoking, pregnancy history and skin elasticity. Strength training may support muscle but cannot remove excess skin; body-contouring surgery is considered only after weight stabilises and health is reviewed.

Many groups advise waiting about 12–18 months, until rapid weight loss has slowed and nutrition is stable. Discuss contraception, supplements and pregnancy planning with bariatric and maternity clinicians because fertility can increase after weight loss.

The current IOC package is £1,800 for clinically accepted primary cases. Final suitability and the itemised written quote are confirmed after medical-history and surgeon review; never rely on a price screenshot alone.

The stated pathway includes surgery and anaesthesia, 2 hospital nights, 1 partner-hotel night, listed pre-operative tests, discharge medicines, private transfers, interpreter and coordination support, and one year of dietitian follow-up. The signed plan controls what is included.

The typical IOC pathway plans around 4–5 days in Istanbul, including hospital and hotel time. Medical needs, flight timing or slower recovery can extend the stay, so keep travel flexible.

Do not book your return solely around a fixed online day. The surgical team should confirm you are fit to fly after reviewing recovery, hydration, mobility and clot risk, and you should understand what to do if symptoms develop during or after travel.

Many patients travel alone and use the transfer, interpreter and coordination pathway. Whether that is appropriate depends on mobility, other illnesses and support needs after discharge; a companion may be recommended.

Ask for the responsible surgeon’s full name, official hospital name, proposed dates, package inclusions, applicable licences or certificates, emergency plan and aftercare contacts in writing. At IOC the planned lead surgeon is Dr Kenan Afilitak, subject to written confirmation for your case.

There is no responsible universal 'best hospital' ranking. Compare the named hospital and surgeon, recent sleeve-specific outcomes, anaesthesia and intensive-care support, the complication and transfer plan, written package terms and aftercare; then choose only after an individual medical assessment.

The IOC package includes one year of dietitian follow-up and agreed remote coordination. You should return home with a discharge summary, operation record, medicine list, test results, routine follow-up plan and clear urgent-care instructions.

Use local emergency services for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms and tell them you recently had sleeve surgery abroad. Contact IOC through the written escalation route as well, but do not delay local emergency assessment while waiting for a remote reply.

Follow-up with bariatric dietitian Aylin Demir supports staged eating, hydration, protein, supplements, symptoms, weight trends and sustainable habits. The frequency and communication route should be stated in your written care plan.

It is a WhatsApp peer community with more than 300 real post-operative patients and people researching surgery. Shared experience can be valuable, but it does not replace advice from the surgical or dietetic team and your profile details may be visible to members.

Do not stop or crush medicines without advice. Diabetes, blood-pressure, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, psychiatric and modified-release medicines may need specific review as intake and health change.

Sleeve gastrectomy is usually performed laparoscopically through several small abdominal incisions; the NHS describes about five as typical. The exact number and location can change with anatomy, previous surgery or an unexpected need to convert to open surgery.

Yes, surgical sleeve gastrectomy is performed under general anaesthesia. The anaesthetist reviews your airway, heart and lung health, sleep apnoea, medicines, allergies and previous anaesthetic problems before confirming an individual plan.

The staple line used to shape and seal the sleeve normally remains in place; it is not routinely removed later. Ask your surgeon how the staple line is formed, checked during the operation and monitored if symptoms develop.

Conversion can be considered for selected problems such as severe reflux, inadequate response, weight recurrence or a sleeve complication. It is revisional surgery rather than reversal; NICE advises that revision should be performed by highly experienced surgeons in specialist centres because risk is higher than for a first operation.

Obstructive sleep apnoea can affect anaesthetic, oxygen and postoperative breathing risk. Tell the team about snoring, pauses in breathing, daytime sleepiness and CPAP use; bring your device if the anaesthetic team asks you to.

A large or fatty liver can make access to the stomach more difficult and may increase operative risk. This is one reason many programmes prescribe a liver-reduction diet and review liver blood tests or imaging before surgery.

The assessment explores expectations, mood, coping, eating behaviour, substance use and the ability to follow lifelong changes. NICE includes psychological needs within multidisciplinary assessment so that support can be arranged; it is not designed to punish or shame a patient.

Symptoms should be discussed openly because untreated eating disorders or loss-of-control eating can affect safety, nutrition and long-term outcomes. Surgery may be delayed while specialist treatment and a safer support plan are arranged; the decision is individual.

A hiatus hernia and the severity of reflux can change procedure selection and the operative plan. The team may request endoscopy or other tests, discuss hernia repair, or recommend an alternative such as bypass when clinically more appropriate.

Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, pus, wound opening or fever needs clinical advice. Keep dressings and wounds as instructed and do not apply unapproved creams; rapidly worsening symptoms or feeling very unwell needs urgent assessment.

Possible warning signs include a fast heart rate, dizziness or fainting, increasing abdominal pain, weakness, low blood pressure, vomiting blood or passing significant blood. These symptoms require urgent medical assessment rather than waiting for a routine follow-up message.

General anaesthesia, reduced mobility, smoking and sleep apnoea can increase respiratory risk. Early mobilisation, breathing exercises when prescribed, CPAP use as directed and reporting breathlessness, fever or chest pain promptly are important.

Dark or very little urine, dry mouth, thirst, headache, dizziness, weakness and a fast heart rate can suggest dehydration. Sip regularly between meals; inability to keep fluids down or worsening symptoms needs prompt clinical assessment and may require intravenous fluids.

BOMSS warns that prolonged vomiting, very poor intake or rapid weight loss can cause acute vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency and potentially irreversible neurological harm. Repeated vomiting is not normal: seek urgent medical and bariatric review rather than simply stopping food or vitamins at home.

The timing depends on the dressings, skin closure and your surgeon's discharge instructions. Keep wounds clean and dry as directed, avoid baths or swimming until cleared, pat rather than rub, and report redness, discharge, opening or increasing pain.

Some fatigue is common while recovering from anaesthesia, surgery and a much lower intake. It should gradually improve; severe or worsening fatigue, breathlessness, palpitations, dehydration, bleeding or poor intake needs review for complications or nutritional problems.

There is no single date for everyone. Resume only when you feel comfortable, are not straining the abdomen, wounds are healing and the surgical team has not given a restriction; stop and seek advice for pain, dizziness, bleeding or wound problems.

Lower food and fibre intake, dehydration, reduced movement, iron and pain medicines can contribute. Follow the team's fluid, staged-food and activity plan and ask before using a laxative; severe pain, swelling, vomiting or inability to pass wind needs urgent assessment.

Rapid weight and hormonal changes can temporarily alter menstrual timing or bleeding, and fertility may improve. Heavy bleeding, fainting, possible pregnancy or persistent irregularity should be discussed with a clinician, especially because contraception remains important during rapid weight loss.

Drinking with food can fill the small stomach, reduce room for nutritious food and trigger discomfort or vomiting. Many bariatric programmes advise drinking between meals and leaving a timed gap around food; follow the exact interval in your dietitian's plan.

UK bariatric dietetic guidance commonly advises avoiding carbonated drinks because gas can cause pain, pressure and bloating, while sugary versions add liquid calories. This includes sparkling water and fizzy alcoholic drinks unless your own bariatric team gives different advice.

Timing varies between programmes and depends on hydration, reflux, medicines and tolerance. Caffeine should not replace water or nutritious fluids, and high-sugar coffee drinks can undermine nutrition and weight goals; reintroduce it only within your written plan.

Use very small bites, chew until smooth, pause between mouthfuls and stop at the first sign of fullness or discomfort. Exact meal length and portion size should come from your dietitian; repeated pain, food sticking or vomiting is not something to overcome by forcing food.

It is more strongly associated with bypass but can occur after sleeve, often after high-sugar or high-fat food or drink. Symptoms may include nausea, cramps, sweating, dizziness, palpitations and diarrhoea; recurrent episodes need dietetic or medical review rather than self-diagnosis alone.

It may be possible with individual planning using tolerated foods such as dairy or eggs where included, tofu, soya, pulses and suitable supplements. Small stomach capacity makes protein and micronutrient planning important, so tell the dietitian before surgery rather than improvising afterwards.

Calcium can reduce iron absorption when taken together, so bariatric plans often separate them. Products and doses differ; use the schedule supplied by the bariatric team or pharmacist and do not double a missed dose without advice.

B12 supplementation and monitoring are commonly included after sleeve, but the formulation and frequency depend on local protocol, blood results and symptoms. Follow the written bariatric plan; numbness, balance problems, unusual fatigue or anaemia symptoms require review.

Weight often falls most rapidly during the first months and then slows as intake, activity and the body adapt. The pattern is not linear and should be reviewed alongside nutrition, hydration, muscle preservation and health changes rather than compared week by week with another patient.

Meet the individual protein target, progress activity gradually and add resistance exercise only when medically cleared. Rapid loss without adequate food, vitamins or follow-up can reduce lean mass; a dietitian and exercise professional can adapt the plan to mobility and health conditions.

Weight loss and metabolic change can improve several obesity-related conditions, but remission is not guaranteed and can change over time. Continue monitoring and never stop diabetes, blood-pressure or CPAP treatment without the prescribing clinician's review.

Assessment looks for eating patterns, medicines, mental health, hormonal or metabolic factors, reflux, sleeve anatomy and follow-up gaps. Treatment may include renewed dietetic and behavioural support, suitable weight-management medicines, endoscopic options or revisional surgery; revision is not the automatic first step.

Standard travel policies often exclude planned treatment and related complications. GOV.UK advises arranging appropriate cover for the procedure, pre-existing conditions, extended stay, emergency treatment, medical evacuation and changed return travel; obtain the terms in writing before paying for surgery.

GOV.UK states that GHIC and EHIC cards are not valid in Turkey. They also do not replace specialist cover for elective surgery, complications, private hospital care or medical repatriation.

Take an English discharge summary, operation note, procedure and implant or staple details where available, medicine and injection plan, allergies, test results, diet stages, emergency contacts and follow-up schedule. Keep digital and printed copies accessible during travel and share them with UK clinicians when needed.

A written plan should explain who decides fitness to fly, where you will be treated, who pays for extra hospital care, hotel nights, flight changes, a companion and possible transfer or repatriation. Do not assume the package or normal travel insurance covers these costs.

NICE recommends a bariatric-service follow-up package for at least two years, followed by lifelong annual monitoring in a shared-care model. A one-year commercial support package does not remove the need to arrange ongoing nutritional, medical and psychological follow-up afterwards.

The review should cover nutrition and supplements, appropriate blood tests, weight trend, medicines, blood pressure and obesity-related conditions, eating and activity, mental wellbeing, pregnancy plans and symptoms such as vomiting, swallowing difficulty or heartburn. Responsibilities between the bariatric provider and GP should be written down.

Persistent, worsening or medication-resistant heartburn, regurgitation, swallowing difficulty or food sticking deserves clinical review. Depending on symptoms, the team may consider endoscopy, imaging or reflux testing and discuss medicine, hernia treatment or conversion surgery.

Rapid body, eating and relationship changes can affect mood, identity and coping even when weight loss is going well. Seek help for persistent low mood, anxiety, loss-of-control eating, alcohol or substance concerns, self-harm thoughts or difficulty adapting; peer groups complement but do not replace professional care.

BOMSS advises avoiding medicines that irritate the stomach lining, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, unless a clinician who knows your bariatric history decides the benefit outweighs the risk and provides a protection plan. Ask about safer pain-relief options rather than self-medicating.

After bariatric surgery, some large tablets can be difficult to tolerate and absorption of enteric-coated or modified-release medicines may change. A pharmacist or prescriber should review each medicine; never crush a tablet unless they confirm it is safe because some formulations become dangerous when crushed.

Tell the surgeon and anaesthetist the exact product, dose and last injection because these medicines affect appetite, blood glucose and stomach emptying. Perioperative instructions vary with the medicine, symptoms and anaesthetic plan; do not stop or continue it based only on internet advice.

Anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines need an individual plan balancing bleeding and clot risk. Give the team a complete list and the reason each medicine is prescribed; never stop, bridge or restart one without instructions from the surgical, anaesthetic and prescribing teams.

NHS guidance advises avoiding pregnancy for about 12 to 18 months, while weight is falling rapidly and nutrition is stabilising. The exact timing should be agreed with the bariatric and maternity teams based on weight trend, blood tests, medicines and health conditions.

Fertility can improve as weight and hormonal function change, including in some people with irregular periods or polycystic ovary syndrome. Pregnancy can therefore occur earlier than expected, so discuss reliable contraception before surgery rather than waiting for cycles to become regular.

Choice depends on health risks, medicines, vomiting, reliability and whether the procedure may affect oral medicine absorption. Discuss a method with a contraception or maternity clinician before surgery; do not assume the pill remains the best or only option during rapid weight loss.

Tell the midwife, obstetrician and bariatric team about the operation early. Pregnancy usually needs coordinated review of weight, food tolerance, protein, supplements, iron, folate, B12, vitamin D, calcium and other blood results; vomiting or poor intake needs prompt attention because deficiencies can develop quickly.