Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)

What ESG involves

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty reduces the stomach by about 70% without any incision. Under general anaesthesia, an endoscope carrying a suturing device (Apollo OverStitch) is passed through the mouth and a series of full-thickness stitches folds the stomach into a narrow sleeve. The procedure takes 60–90 minutes; there are no external scars, the stomach is not cut, and the anatomy is preserved, which is why it is regarded as reversible and the risk profile is closer to an endoscopy than to surgery.

Expected weight loss is 15–20% of total body weight at 12 months in the published trials — less than a surgical sleeve (25–30%) but substantially more than a gastric balloon, and durable at five years in the majority of patients who keep up dietary follow-up.

Who is eligible

BMI 30–40 (occasionally higher for patients who decline or cannot have surgery), age 18–65, no large hiatus hernia or previous gastric surgery. It suits patients who want a meaningful, lasting result but not a surgical operation, or who have a BMI too low for surgery. A gastroscopy on arrival confirms suitability.

Why Istanbul, and why through us

ESG costs £8,000–12,000 privately in the UK and €9,000–13,000 in Germany. Our bariatric endoscopy team performs it regularly in a JCI-accredited hospital with the same Apollo system, at a third of the price, and because recovery is fast the whole trip is four nights.

You deal with one coordinator, one hospital and one medical team from the first message to the last follow-up. Every price is itemised in writing before you pay a deposit, and the written quote does not change unless you change the plan. Flights are never included.

Recovery and follow-up

One night in hospital, then the hotel; most patients fly home on day four. Nausea and cramping for two to three days are normal. Liquids for two weeks, puree for two, then a structured diet. Work from day three to five. The dietitian follows you remotely at one, three, six and twelve months — the result depends on it.

Cost of ESG in Turkey

The published price includes the procedure, gastroscopy, one hospital night, hotel, transfers and twelve months of remote dietitian follow-up. Flights are never included.