UK Patients Welcome · Temos-Accredited Hospital · IFSO-Member Surgeons
Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Turkey
The world’s most performed weight loss operation — done properly. A gastric sleeve permanently removes around 80% of the stomach, leaving a banana-shaped “sleeve” that limits portions and quiets hunger hormones. Most patients lose 60–70% of their excess weight within 18–24 months.
Procedure time
45–60 min
Hospital stay
3–4 nights
Stay in Antalya
~7 days
Back to desk work
~2 weeks
OVERVIEW
What is gastric sleeve surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) is a keyhole operation that removes about 80% of the stomach along its outer curve, leaving a narrow tube roughly the size and shape of a banana. You feel full sooner and less hungry, so you eat much less without relying on willpower alone. At NewMe it takes 45–60 minutes under general anaesthetic at Anatolia Hospital in Antalya, performed by our bariatric surgeons Prof. Dr. Nurullah Bülbüller and Op. Dr. Mani Habibi. You spend 3–4 nights in hospital and most UK patients fly home after about 7 days.
🍽️ You feel full faster
With around 80% of the stomach removed, meals a fraction of their former size genuinely satisfy you — portion control stops being a battle of willpower.
🧠 You feel less hungry
The removed part of the stomach produces most of your ghrelin, the “hunger hormone”. After surgery, constant background hunger fades for most patients.
💊 Normal nutrient absorption
Unlike a bypass, the intestines are untouched — food follows its natural path, so the risk of deficiencies stays lower and supplements are simpler.
SLEEVE VS OTHER OPTIONS
Gastric sleeve, bypass or balloon: which is right for me?
The sleeve suits most patients looking for a permanent tool. A bypass can be the better choice with severe reflux or type 2 diabetes, and a balloon is a temporary, non-surgical start.
| Feature | Gastric sleeve | Bypass / balloon |
|---|---|---|
| Excess weight loss | 60–70% in 18–24 months | Bypass 70–80% · balloon 10–15% of body weight |
| Intestines | Untouched — natural digestion | Bypass reroutes; balloon involves no surgery |
| Reversibility | Permanent | Bypass technically reversible · balloon temporary (4–12 months) |
| Best suited for | BMI 30+ seeking a permanent tool | Bypass: severe reflux or diabetes · balloon: BMI 27–35 kick-start |
| Supplements | Simpler lifelong basics | Bypass: stricter lifelong regime |
Torn between the two operations? Read our in-depth sleeve vs bypass guide. Considering the non-surgical route? See the gastric balloon.
IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
Am I a candidate for gastric sleeve surgery?
Candidacy is medical, not commercial — every application is reviewed by the surgical team, and “surgery isn’t right for you” is an answer we give regularly.
✓ Your BMI is 30 or above — check yours with our BMI calculator
✓ You have genuinely tried diets and regained the weight; the sleeve is a permanent tool where willpower alone has run out
✓ Your health is affected — type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, joint pain and fatty liver often improve as the weight comes off
✓ You are ready to follow the staged diet, supplements and follow-up that make the result last
Consider other options if your BMI is under 30, you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy soon, untreated conditions affect surgery safety, or an active eating disorder needs support first — we will tell you honestly.
THE PROCEDURE
How does gastric sleeve surgery work?
The operation takes 45–60 minutes — around 90 minutes in theatre including anaesthesia — under general anaesthetic with a dedicated anaesthesia team.
1
Keyhole access
Four to five small incisions — laparoscopic surgery means less pain, minimal scarring and a faster recovery than open surgery.
2
Creating the sleeve
Using a surgical stapling device, about 80% of the stomach is divided and removed, and the staple line is reinforced.
3
Leak test & closure
The new sleeve is pressure-tested before closing — a critical safety step. Incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures and you wake in your private room with 24-hour nursing care.
YOUR SURGEONS
Who will perform my gastric sleeve surgery?
Your gastric sleeve surgery is performed by our bariatric surgical team — two experienced laparoscopic surgeons who also lead your follow-up.
Prof. Dr. Nurullah Bülbüller
Decades of academic and clinical bariatric practice, specialising in laparoscopic obesity surgery.
Op. Dr. Mani Habibi
Co-founder of NewMe Health Clinic — laparoscopic bariatric surgeon known for meticulous technique and lifelong patient follow-up.
🏅 IFSO-member surgeons · 17,500+ bariatric procedures performed collectively · every operation in a Temos-accredited international hospital.
YOUR HOSPITAL
Where is my gastric sleeve surgery performed?
Your tests, operation and hospital nights take place at Anatolia Hospital in Antalya — one of NewMe’s contracted institutions, accredited by Temos for Quality in Medical Care. A dedicated anaesthesia team looks after you during surgery and the hospital’s nursing team monitors you around the clock while you are an inpatient, until you are confidently mobile and drinking well.
YOUR JOURNEY
How long do I stay in Antalya?
Around seven days — then a new normal at home, with our team guiding every step remotely.
Before you travel
Video consultation, medical history review and a pre-op preparation plan; some patients follow a short pre-op diet. Your coordinator organises your transfers and helps you book a hotel.
Days 1–2 — Arrival & tests
VIP transfer, hospital admission and a full pre-op work-up: blood tests, ECG, X-ray, ultrasound, and anaesthesia and surgeon consultations.
Day 2 — Surgery
Your 45–60 minute operation; you wake in your private room and start walking the same evening — the best thing you can do for recovery.
Days 3–5 — Hospital recovery
Liquids begin under supervision, and your team monitors you around the clock until you are confidently mobile and comfortable.
Days 6–7 — Discharge & fly home
Final checks, fit-to-fly clearance, your GP-ready surgical report and a detailed nutrition plan for the weeks ahead.
Weeks 1–8 at home
A staged diet: clear liquids, full liquids with protein, puréed, soft foods, then normal healthy eating — guided remotely at every step.
LIFELONG AFTERCARE
What aftercare do I get after gastric sleeve surgery?
📱 Remote follow-up schedule
Video check-ins at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months — plus a 24/7 WhatsApp line that answers in hours, not days.
🇬🇧 UK follow-up clinics, twice a year
Your surgeon sees former patients in person on twice-yearly UK visits — cities and dates rotate and are announced ahead of time.
💊 Simple supplement routine
A daily bariatric multivitamin, B12, iron and calcium — we hand you the exact protocol before you fly home.
🤰 Planning a family? Pregnancy is safe after the sleeve — we recommend waiting 12–18 months for your weight and nutrition to stabilise. Many women find fertility improves with weight loss.
SAFETY
What are the risks of gastric sleeve surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery is a well-established operation with a strong safety record in experienced hands, but it is major surgery and carries risks. Your surgeon goes through them with you before you book, and we recommend reading the NHS overview of weight loss surgery as well.
Common and expected
Tiredness, nausea and discomfort in the first days; temporary hair thinning during rapid weight loss; and loose skin as the weight comes off.
Less common
New or worse acid reflux, vitamin and mineral deficiencies if supplements are skipped, gallstones, narrowing of the sleeve, and weight regain if old eating habits return.
Rare but serious
A leak from the staple line (under 1% of cases with experienced teams), bleeding, blood clots in the legs or lungs, and reactions to the anaesthetic.
How we reduce your risk: a full pre-operative work-up; a reinforced, pressure-tested staple line; walking from the first evening plus clot prevention; supervised staged feeding before discharge; a lifelong supplement protocol; and structured follow-up for the first year and beyond.
TRANSPARENT PRICING
See exact prices — nothing hidden
Our complete gastric sleeve pricing — what’s included, hotel options and how it compares — is published openly on one dedicated page.
FOR UK PATIENTS
Planning gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey from the UK
NHS and weight loss surgery
On the NHS, weight loss surgery is usually offered at a BMI of 40+, or 35+ with conditions such as type 2 diabetes (NICE thresholds), after a weight management programme and often a long wait.
Direct flights, about 4 hours
Direct routes from most UK airports to Antalya, visa-free for UK passport holders; a VIP transfer meets you at arrivals.
Surgeons who visit the UK
Our bariatric surgeons hold in-person follow-up clinics in the UK twice a year — in rotating major cities, with dates announced to patients in advance. Ask to join the next UK clinic list →
GP-ready surgical report
A full English-language surgical report, a sick note if needed, and a remote follow-up schedule your GP can work with — with every consultation in fluent English.
New to surgery abroad? Our step-by-step guide for UK patients walks you through the whole journey.
QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Is gastric sleeve surgery safe in Turkey?
Safety follows the hospital and the surgeon, not the country. Your operation takes place in a Temos-accredited international hospital, performed by IFSO-member surgeons with 17,500+ collective procedures — see the NHS overview of weight loss surgery for the general risks. A staple-line leak, the sleeve’s specific risk, occurs in under 1% of cases with experienced teams.
How much weight will I lose?
Most patients lose 60–70% of their excess weight within 18–24 months. If you are 50kg above your ideal weight, that is typically 30–35kg. Your progress depends on following the nutrition plan — which is exactly what our aftercare supports.
Is it reversible?
No — the sleeve permanently removes about 80% of the stomach, unlike a temporary balloon. That permanence is why candidacy is assessed so carefully, and why it works.
How long does the operation take?
45–60 minutes of surgery, around 90 minutes in theatre including anaesthesia. You will be walking the same evening and typically fly home within a week.
What can I eat afterwards?
A staged return: clear liquids in week 1, full liquids with protein shakes in weeks 2–3, puréed food in weeks 4–5, soft foods in weeks 6–8, then normal healthy eating in smaller portions — with our dietitian guiding each step remotely.
Will I need vitamins forever?
Yes — a simple daily routine: bariatric multivitamin, B12, iron (especially for menstruating women) and calcium. Because the intestines are untouched, the sleeve’s regime is simpler than a bypass.
What BMI do I need?
Generally a BMI of 30 or above — more flexible than NHS thresholds, which usually require 35+ with obesity-related conditions or 40+ (NICE thresholds). Close to the line? Send your details anyway; the assessment is free and honest.
When can I return to work?
Desk work in about 2 weeks; physical jobs after 4–6 weeks. We provide a sick note for your employer if needed.
Can I get pregnant after the sleeve?
Yes — we recommend waiting 12–18 months so your weight and nutrition stabilise first. Fertility often improves as weight drops.
Will I have loose skin?
Possibly — it depends on age, skin elasticity and how much you lose. Many patients later choose body contouring such as a tummy tuck, arm or thigh lift, which we plan with the same clinic.
What if I have a problem after returning to the UK?
Our medical team is on WhatsApp 24/7 and coordinates with your care at home; for anything urgent you attend your local A&E as with any post-surgical concern. Video follow-ups at 2 and 6 weeks and 3, 6 and 12 months keep us close through the first year.
How do I secure a surgery date?
After your free assessment and written quote, a deposit on our secure deposit page reserves your surgeon and date — deducted in full from your total.
Which hospital is the surgery performed in?
At Anatolia Hospital in Antalya, one of NewMe’s contracted institutions, accredited by Temos for Quality in Medical Care.
Is the hotel included?
No. Your package covers the surgery, your hospital nights, tests, medications, VIP transfers and aftercare. Hotel nights are booked separately, and we can arrange a hotel close to the hospital for you.
Ready to stop fighting your own stomach?
A free, honest assessment with our bariatric team — find out if the sleeve is right for you, with no obligation and no pressure.
