What is a gastric sleeve?
A gastric sleeve, or sleeve gastrectomy, is an operation that removes about 80% of the stomach. What remains is a narrow tube, or sleeve, roughly the size and shape of a banana. Because the stomach is smaller, you feel full after a few mouthfuls.
The part of the stomach that is removed also produces most of the hunger hormone ghrelin. With less ghrelin in your body, many patients notice that their appetite drops within days of the operation. The sleeve does not reroute the intestine, so food is digested and absorbed in the normal way.
Who is a gastric sleeve suitable for?
A gastric sleeve may be right for you if diet and exercise have not led to lasting weight loss and your health is affected by your weight. Surgeons generally consider patients who:
Have a BMI of 30 or above,
Age between 18 and 65 years old (outside this range, after individual assessment)
are ready to change how they eat for the long term
A sleeve may not be the best choice if you have severe acid reflux, because the operation can make reflux worse. In that case your surgeon may recommend a gastric bypass instead.
How the operation is done
The surgery is performed laparoscopically (keyhole surgery) under general anaesthesia and usually takes 1 to 2 hours.
Tests and anaesthesia check
On admission you have blood tests, a chest X-ray, an ECG and, where needed, an endoscopy. You meet your surgeon and anaesthetist, who confirm that it is safe to operate.
Keyhole access
The surgeon makes 4 or 5 small incisions in the abdomen and inserts a camera and fine instruments.
Shaping the sleeve
A tube is placed inside the stomach as a guide. The surgeon uses a stapling device along this tube to divide the stomach and remove the outer part.
Checking the staple line
The staple line is tested for leaks and reinforced where needed before the incisions are closed.
Recovery timeline
- First 24 hours
You are encouraged to walk a few hours after surgery to help circulation. Sips of water start once the team confirms the staple line is secure.
- Days 2–4
You move to clear liquids, receive pain relief and blood-thinning injections, and are discharged to the hotel after your third night.
- Weeks 1–2
Most patients feel tired but comfortable. You stay on liquids and can return to desk work after about two weeks.
- Weeks 3–6
Puréed and then soft foods are introduced. Light exercise such as walking can increase gradually.
- Months 2–18
You return to normal textures in small portions. Weight loss is fastest in the first six months and usually settles by 12 to 18 months.
Eating after a gastric sleeve
Success after a sleeve depends on new eating habits. Your plan will ask you to:
eat slowly and stop as soon as you feel full
put protein first at every meal
drink between meals rather than with them
avoid sugary drinks, alcohol and fizzy drinks
take the vitamin and mineral supplements your surgeon prescribes, for life
Risks and side effects
Every operation carries risks. Your surgeon will explain them before you consent. With a gastric sleeve they include:
leakage from the staple line
bleeding
blood clots in the legs or lungs
infection at an incision site
new or worse acid reflux
vitamin and mineral deficiencies if supplements are not taken
loose skin after significant weight loss
Walking early, wearing compression stockings, taking blood thinners and following the diet plan all reduce these risks.
Gastric sleeve in Turkey: your trip
Before you fly
You send your height, weight, medical history and any recent test results. Our team reviews them with the surgeon and sends you a treatment plan and price. Once you accept, we book your surgery date and you book your flights.
In Istanbul
A driver meets you at the airport and takes you to the hotel or hospital. A translator stays with you through tests, consultations and discharge, and a companion can stay with you at no extra cost.
Back home
Your coordinator stays in touch on WhatsApp, follows your recovery and diet stages, and passes any questions to the surgical team.
What the Gastric Sleeve package includes
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Hospital and medical care
Your private hospital room, nursing care, pre-operative tests, consultations with your surgeon, anaesthesia, the operation itself and the medication you take home.
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VIP transfers
A private driver meets you at the airport and takes you between the airport, your hotel and the hospital.
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Translator and companion
A medical translator at the hospital, and a companion can travel with you at no extra cost.
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Meals and comfort
Daily meals for you and your companion throughout your stay.
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24/7 patient coordinator
A dedicated coordinator answers your questions before, during and after your trip, in your language.
Your surgeons for Gastric Sleeve
Gastric Sleeve FAQ
How much weight will I lose after a gastric sleeve?
Most patients lose around 60–70% of their excess weight within 12 to 18 months. Your result depends on your starting weight, how closely you follow the diet plan and how active you are. Your surgeon will discuss a realistic target with you before the operation.
Am I eligible for gastric sleeve surgery?
Surgery is usually considered with 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 patients with a BMI from 30 to 35 and poorly controlled diabetes may also be assessed. The surgical team makes the final decision after reviewing your medical history.
How long do I need to stay in Turkey?
Plan for 4 days in Istanbul. You spend 3 nights in hospital and the last day at the hotel, with a check-up before you fly home.
Is the gastric sleeve reversible?
No. About 80% of the stomach is removed, so the operation is permanent. If weight regain or reflux becomes a problem later, a sleeve can be converted to a gastric bypass.
Will I have scars?
The operation is done through 4 or 5 small keyhole incisions, each about 0.5–1.5 cm long. They usually fade to thin lines over the following months.
When can I fly home after surgery?
Most patients fly home on day 4, once the surgeon has checked them. Walk around the cabin regularly and drink fluids during the flight to lower the risk of blood clots.
What will I eat after the operation?
You move through four stages over about six weeks: clear liquids, full liquids, puréed food and soft food, before returning to normal textures in small portions. A dietitian's plan is included and your coordinator stays in touch while you follow it at home.
What happens if I have a problem after I get home?
Your patient coordinator is available 24/7 on WhatsApp and passes your questions to the surgical team. If you need to be seen in person, they help you arrange care locally or, where appropriate, back in Istanbul.
