Gastric Sleeve

Gastric sleeve — sleeve gastrectomy — removes approximately eighty per cent of the stomach, leaving a narrow vertical "sleeve" about the size of a banana. Smaller stomach means smaller meals; reduced production of the hunger hormone ghrelin means reduced appetite. The operation is permanent and is the most-performed bariatric procedure worldwide.

This is serious surgery with life-changing benefits when performed on the right patient by an experienced team. It is not cosmetic — it is metabolic, and it treats obesity as the medical condition it is.

Who is a good candidate?

• BMI of 35 or higher with obesity-related health conditions (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea).
• BMI of 40 or higher regardless of other conditions.
• Failed non-surgical weight management attempts documented over years.
• Commitment to lifelong dietary and lifestyle changes.
• No active psychiatric or substance-abuse conditions that would compromise post-operative compliance.

The procedure, step by step

Performed laparoscopically under general anaesthesia, one to two hours. Three nights in hospital is standard at our partner facilities.

The surgeon uses five or six small abdominal incisions for the laparoscopic instruments. A vertical stapler divides the stomach, removing the greater curvature. The remaining narrow sleeve is tested for leaks before closure. Results are typically sixty to seventy per cent of excess weight lost within twelve to eighteen months.

Recovery timeline

First 2–4 weeks

Liquid-only diet for the first two weeks, gradually progressing through puréed foods, soft foods, and finally solid foods over four weeks. Our nutrition team guides every step. Daily walking from day one. No heavy lifting for four weeks.

Weeks 4–8

Return to normal activity. Office work by week two to three for most patients. Continued progressive diet with emphasis on protein intake.

Months 3–18

Steady weight loss. Majority of the total loss happens in the first twelve to eighteen months. Ongoing nutrition follow-up and vitamin supplementation are essential, permanent, and not optional.

Risks and realistic expectations

Honest risks: leakage at the staple line (rare but serious, actively monitored), bleeding, gastroesophageal reflux (affects some patients long-term), and nutritional deficiencies if supplementation is not maintained. Long-term outcomes are excellent when patients follow the dietary and supplement protocol.

The surgery is a tool, not a magic solution. It works because the smaller stomach makes the right habits easier. Patients who revert to high-calorie liquid diets can regain weight. The best outcomes come from patients who treat the operation as the start of a lifelong change, not an end-point.

Why Istanbul

Turkey is a global centre for bariatric surgery, with some of the highest-volume units in the world. The combination of experienced surgeons, accredited hospitals, English-speaking multidisciplinary teams (nutritionists, psychologists, bariatric nurses), and all-inclusive pricing makes it one of the most rational destinations for sleeve gastrectomy.