Question 1

How much does gastric sleeve cost in Turkey in 2026?

Accepted Answer

At Istanbul Bariatric Center, prices are £2,450 for Ultra Eco, £4,550 for Relaxation and £4,900 for Luxury. Ultra Eco covers surgery by an experienced surgeon team, two boutique-hospital nights and pre-operative tests, without hotel or transfers. Relaxation and Luxury include surgery by Dr Üstün at Liv Hospital Vadistanbul plus accommodation, transfers and aftercare.

Question 2

Is gastric sleeve in Turkey safe?

Accepted Answer

No surgery is risk-free. Safety is improved by careful selection, an experienced team, a properly equipped hospital, clot and leak precautions, and accessible follow-up. Dr Üstün has performed 2,200+ sleeves during 25+ years in advanced laparoscopic surgery.

Question 3

Which hospital does Istanbul Bariatric Center use?

Accepted Answer

Relaxation and Luxury procedures take place at JCI-accredited Liv Hospital Vadistanbul in Sarıyer, Istanbul. Ultra Eco is delivered by the experienced surgeon team at a partner boutique hospital.

Question 4

How many days do I need to stay in Istanbul?

Accepted Answer

The standard Relaxation journey is seven days and six nights: two nights in hospital and four nights in a hotel. Luxury includes five hotel nights. Ultra Eco has two hospital nights but no hotel or transfers, so its itinerary is agreed separately.

Question 5

What is the BMI requirement for gastric sleeve in Turkey?

Accepted Answer

Surgery is commonly considered at BMI 40 or above, or BMI 35–39.9 with an obesity-related condition. Selected patients with BMI 30 or above and poorly controlled type 2 diabetes may be considered after specialist assessment.

Question 6

How much weight will I lose after gastric sleeve?

Accepted Answer

Average excess weight loss is around 60–70% at 12–18 months, roughly 25–30% of starting body weight within the first year. Results vary and long-term maintenance requires permanent dietary and lifestyle change.

Question 7

Does the price include flights?

Accepted Answer

No. Flights are excluded. Typical UK return fares to Istanbul are £120–£280, but prices vary by airport, season and booking date.

Question 8

What happens if I have complications after returning home?

Accepted Answer

Complications are managed with the team's guidance, while urgent symptoms require immediate local assessment. A full English operative note is provided for your UK GP, and relevant imaging can be shared with local clinicians where available.

Question 9

Can I get gastric sleeve on the NHS instead?

Accepted Answer

Potentially, but local eligibility and pathways vary. Criteria commonly include BMI 40 or above, or BMI 35 or above with comorbidities and completion of a specialist weight-management programme. Waiting times may be two to five years.

Question 10

Is Dr Murat Üstün IFSO-certified?

Accepted Answer

IFSO is a professional membership body rather than a surgeon-certification scheme. Dr Üstün is a member of IFSO, BOMSS and the International Bariatric Club, and is the only Boston Scientific-certified surgical ESG trainer in Turkey.

Question 11

How is Turkey cheaper than the UK for the same operation?

Accepted Answer

Turkey has lower staffing, property and insurance costs and a favourable exchange rate. Price alone does not establish quality, so compare the named surgeon, actual hospital, written inclusions, emergency facilities and aftercare.

Question 12

What is included in the all-inclusive package?

Accepted Answer

Relaxation includes laparoscopic sleeve surgery by Op. Dr Murat Üstün at JCI-accredited Liv Hospital Vadistanbul, two hospital nights, four nights in a 5-star hotel, surgeon and anaesthetist fees, all pre-operative tests and medications, VIP airport and hospital transfers, half-board hotel meals, a supplements starter pack and 12 months of WhatsApp aftercare including UK-registered dietitian support. Luxury includes the same surgery and hospital in a JCI suite, two hospital nights, five luxury-hotel nights, a private VIP car throughout, full board with a companion allowance and 12 months of priority aftercare.

Question 13

Can I finance the procedure?

Accepted Answer

Ask your coordinator about payment options.

Question 14

Will I need plastic surgery for loose skin after gastric sleeve?

Accepted Answer

Some patients consider body contouring after their weight has been stable for 12–18 months. Need varies with age, starting weight, weight lost, skin elasticity and smoking history, and requires a separate specialist assessment.

Question 15

What is the difference between gastric sleeve and ESG?

Accepted Answer

A sleeve permanently removes about 75–80% of the stomach. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty uses internal sutures placed through the mouth and removes no stomach. ESG may suit selected lower-BMI patients and generally produces less weight loss.

Specification	Detail
Procedure	Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG / VSG)
Surgery time	45–75 minutes under general anaesthesia
Hospital stay	Two nights; hospital depends on package
Relaxation itinerary	Six nights: two hospital and four hotel
Return to light work	Usually 7–14 days
Return to gym or lifting	Usually 4–6 weeks after clearance
Average excess weight loss	60–70% at 12–18 months
Average total body-weight loss	25–30% within the first year
Leak rate in high-volume centres	Under 1%
2026 package cost	From £2,450 · Ultra Eco
Surgeon	Dr Üstün on Relaxation and Luxury; experienced surgeon team on Ultra Eco

Package	Ultra Eco	Relaxation — recommended	Luxury
Price	£2,450	£4,550	£4,900
Surgeon	Experienced surgeon team	Op. Dr Murat Üstün	Op. Dr Murat Üstün
Hospital	Partner boutique hospital, 2 nights	Liv Hospital Vadistanbul JCI, 2 nights	Liv Hospital Vadistanbul JCI suite, 2 nights
Tests and consultations	All pre-op tests and consultations	All pre-op tests and medications	Confirm in written quote
Hotel	Not included	4 nights hotel	5 nights luxury hotel
Transfers	Not included	VIP airport and hospital transfers	Private VIP car throughout
Meals	Not included	Half-board hotel meals	Full board and companion allowance
Aftercare	Discharge diet plan only	12 months via WhatsApp including UK-registered dietitian support	12 months priority aftercare
Extras	Surgery essentials	Surgeon and anaesthetist fees; supplements starter pack	Private VIP car throughout

Country	Typical self-pay cost	Waiting time	Hospital nights
Turkey (IBC)	£2,450 – £4,900; inclusions vary	2–4 weeks	2 nights
United Kingdom (private)	£8k–£15,000	4–8 weeks	1–2 nights
United Kingdom (NHS)	Free at point of use	Often 2–5 years	1–2 nights
Germany (private)	€9,000–€18k (about £7,700–£15,400)	1–3 months	two to three nights
United States (self-pay)	$9,500–$23,000 (about £7,500–£18,200)	2–4 weeks	1–2 nights
Australia (self-funded)	AUD $15,000–$25,000 (about £7,900–£13,200)	2–4 weeks	2 nights

When	What to expect	Diet
Day 0	Recovery, short walks and sips as directed	Water and clear fluids
Day 1	Leak test, less IV fluid, regular corridor walks	Clear fluids
Day 2	Discharge when clinically ready; shoulder-tip discomfort can occur	Clear fluids and protein drinks
Days 3–7	Rest, short walks and planned return flight	Full liquids
Week 2	Desk work may resume; fatigue is common	Liquids to thin purée
Weeks 3–4	Energy improves; early weight change becomes visible	Purée
Weeks 5–6	Gentle exercise after clearance	Soft solids
Week 7 onward	Small portions and structured follow-up	Full diet as tolerated
Month 3	Blood tests; often 20–35% excess weight lost	Full diet and supplements
Month 6	Often 40–55% excess weight lost	Full diet and supplements
Month 12	Often 60–70% excess weight lost	Maintenance

Complication	Typical rate	Prevention or management
Staple-line leak	Under 1%	Staple-line inspection, leak test and access to interventional care
Bleeding requiring transfusion	1–2%	Vessel sealing, staple-line inspection and monitoring
DVT or pulmonary embolism	Under 1%	Blood-thinning medication, stockings and early walking
Wound infection	1–3%	Antibiotics and careful closure
Stricture or narrowing	About 1%	Calibration during surgery and endoscopic treatment if needed
Long-term reflux	10–20%	Pre-op endoscopy, appropriate procedure choice and acid suppression
Iron, B12 or vitamin D deficiency	Common	Daily supplements and regular blood tests
30-day mortality	About 0.1%	Careful case selection and an experienced hospital team

Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Turkey (2026) — Surgeon, Hospital and Packages

Gastric sleeve in Turkey at a glance

Cost of gastric sleeve in Turkey — 2026 packages

Turkey vs UK, Germany, USA and Australia — 2026 comparison

What’s included in the all-inclusive package

Medical and surgical

Travel, stay and aftercare

Who is a good candidate for gastric sleeve?

Common candidacy considerations

Who is not a candidate?

How the gastric sleeve procedure works

1 — Access

2 — Mobilisation

3 — Stapling

4 — Testing and closure

Recovery timeline — day 0 to month 12

Risks and complications

Why choose Dr Üstün and Liv Hospital Vadistanbul?

Your 7-day gastric sleeve journey in Istanbul

Frequently asked questions

Book your free consultation with Dr Üstün