Bariatric Surgery in Istanbul

Weight-loss surgery in Istanbul with long-term follow-up

Gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, mini bypass, gastric balloon, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and revision surgery are all available in Istanbul with high-volume bariatric surgeons. Estetica Istanbul is a medical-tourism agency: we match you with a partner bariatric team in an accredited private hospital and organise the trip, the hospital stay and the follow-up around it.

Weight-loss surgery is a long-term commitment, not a quick fix. Before you book we check your BMI, medical history and any previous operations, and the surgical team confirms whether you are a candidate. You get a free call with your coordinator and can book a 30-euro video consultation with the surgeon, credited if you go ahead.

Packages include pre-operative tests, surgery, anaesthesia, hospital nights, medication, a nutrition plan, private transfers and nights at one of our three partner hotels. Flights are not included. Your coordinator follows up on WhatsApp during the first months after surgery, when diet and supplements matter most.

Which weight-loss procedure fits you?

The right operation depends on your BMI, your health, your eating habits and whether you have had weight-loss surgery before. These are the main options:

• Gastric sleeve from €3,570: about three quarters of the stomach is removed, leaving a narrow tube. It reduces how much you can eat and lowers hunger hormones. It is the most common bariatric operation worldwide.
• Gastric bypass from €3,870: a small stomach pouch is connected directly to the small intestine, bypassing part of the digestive tract. It is often preferred for patients with type 2 diabetes or severe acid reflux.
• Gastric balloon from €2,780: a balloon placed in the stomach by endoscopy for about six months, with no incisions. It suits a lower BMI or patients who want a non-surgical start.
• Mini gastric bypass, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and revision surgery are also available after review by the surgical team. Ask your coordinator.

Sleeve or bypass?

Both lead to substantial weight loss when combined with lasting changes in eating and activity. The differences that usually decide it:

• Acid reflux: a sleeve can make reflux worse; a bypass usually improves it. If you already have significant reflux, the team will often recommend a bypass.
• Type 2 diabetes: both help; a bypass tends to have a stronger effect on blood sugar.
• Vitamins and absorption: a bypass changes how nutrients are absorbed, so lifelong supplements and blood tests are essential. After a sleeve you also need supplements, but the absorption change is smaller.
• Reversibility: neither should be thought of as reversible. A sleeve can later be converted to a bypass if needed.

The surgical team makes the final recommendation after reviewing your medical history.

Who is a candidate

Bariatric surgery is generally considered for a BMI of 40 or more, or 35 or more with a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea. Some guidelines now consider lower thresholds for certain patients. The balloon can be used at lower BMIs. Before you travel we ask for your height, weight, medical history, current medication and any previous operations, and the surgical team confirms whether surgery is appropriate.

Weight-loss surgery is not suitable if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy in the next 12 to 18 months, if you have an untreated eating disorder, alcohol or drug dependency, or if you cannot commit to long-term follow-up.

Preparing for surgery

• A pre-operative diet, often low in carbohydrates and fat for one to two weeks, shrinks the liver and makes surgery safer. Your team sends the exact plan.
• Stop smoking well before surgery; it raises the risk of leaks and ulcers.
• Bring a list of your medication, recent blood tests if you have them, and any reports from previous operations.

The trip, day by day

• Day 1: arrival, pre-operative tests and consultations with the surgeon and the anaesthetist.
• Day 2: keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery under general anaesthesia: about one to two hours for a sleeve, two to four for a bypass.
• Days 2 to 5: hospital stay of about three nights. You walk the same day and start sipping fluids under supervision.
• Following days: discharge to the hotel, a final check, and the flight home with your nutrition plan.

A balloon is a day procedure under sedation and needs a much shorter stay.

Recovery and the first year

• Weeks one to two: clear and full liquids only.
• Weeks three to four: puréed food.
• Weeks five to six onwards: soft foods, then a normal texture in small portions, high in protein.
• Back to desk work: usually after two to three weeks.
• Lifelong: daily vitamin and mineral supplements, regular blood tests, enough protein and water, and follow-up with a doctor or dietitian at home.

Most weight is lost in the first 12 to 18 months. Your coordinator stays in touch on WhatsApp during the first months, when diet and supplements matter most. Many patients later consider body contouring to remove loose skin: see our body contouring guide.

Risks, honestly

All bariatric operations carry the risks of major abdominal surgery: bleeding, infection, blood clots and anaesthesia complications. Specific risks include a leak from the staple line after a sleeve or from the connections after a bypass, narrowing, ulcers, gallstones during rapid weight loss, and vitamin or mineral deficiencies if supplements are not taken. Some patients regain weight years later, usually when eating habits drift. Balloons can cause nausea and vomiting in the first days and must be removed on time.

What moves the price

• The procedure: bypass costs more than a sleeve.
• Revision of previous bariatric surgery.
• Additional procedures such as hiatal hernia repair found during surgery.
• Upgrading to the Antwell hotel (€40 more per night than Deniz).

More questions

How much weight will I lose?

It varies from person to person. Most sleeve and bypass patients lose a large share of their excess weight in the first year to 18 months. How you eat and move afterwards decides how much you keep off.

Is it keyhole surgery?

Yes. Sleeve and bypass are done laparoscopically through several small incisions. The balloon involves no incisions.

When can I fly home?

After the final check, usually four to five days after surgery. Walk regularly during the flight and keep sipping water.

Can I get pregnant afterwards?

Yes, but most teams advise waiting 12 to 18 months until your weight is stable, and fertility can improve quickly after weight loss, so plan contraception.