Gastric Sleeve in Istanbul keyhole sleeve gastrectomy, a staged diet plan and remote dietitian follow-up

Plan on about seven days in Istanbul for a gastric sleeve. That covers a day of tests and consultation, surgery, two to three nights in hospital and a few days in your hotel so the team can check that you are drinking well, walking comfortably and free of warning signs before you fly. Some patients stay longer if they have diabetes, sleep apnoea or a longer journey home, and your surgeon confirms the date.

For a gastric sleeve in Istanbul, the mainstream starting point is a BMI of 40 or more, or 35 or more with an obesity-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea. International ASMBS/IFSO guidance also allows surgery to be considered at a BMI of 30 to 34.9 with metabolic disease. Our medical team reviews each case individually, so a BMI alone never decides it.

Before a gastric sleeve in Istanbul you will usually have a full blood count, biochemistry, clotting, blood sugar and HbA1c, thyroid tests and vitamin levels, plus an ECG, chest imaging and an abdominal ultrasound. Many patients also have an upper endoscopy to check for reflux, hiatus hernia or Helicobacter pylori. An anaesthetist reviews the results, and surgery goes ahead only when they are acceptable.

Not always. A sleeve can worsen existing reflux and, in some people, cause new reflux over the long term; the ten-year SLEEVEPASS trial found reflux more often after a sleeve than after a bypass. If you already take reflux medication or have a hiatus hernia or oesophagitis on endoscopy, your surgeon may recommend a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass instead, or a hernia repair at the same time.

Most people lose weight fastest in the first six months and reach their lowest weight at around 12 to 18 months. In the SLEEVEPASS randomised trial, patients had lost about half of their excess weight at five years on average, with some regain later. Your result depends on your starting weight, health conditions, eating habits, activity and how closely you follow the dietitian's plan.

You walk within hours of waking and several times a day during your stay. Most people return to desk work in two to three weeks, usually during the purée stage. Gym work and heavier lifting usually return from about four to six weeks, once your surgeon agrees. On the flight home, wear compression stockings, drink little and often, and walk the aisle when you can.

After a gastric sleeve in Istanbul you take a bariatric multivitamin every day for life, plus calcium with vitamin D, and vitamin B12 as advised. Iron is added if your levels fall. Missed supplements can lead to deficiencies of iron, B12, folate, vitamin D and calcium. Blood tests at around 3, 6 and 12 months, then yearly, show whether your doses need adjusting, with your local doctor or through our team.