Gastric Bypass Surgery in Turkey

What you need to know about Gastric Bypass Surgery in Turkey

A type of Bariatric Surgery used to treat morbid obesity by aiding dramatic weight loss. It is also known to help lessen the problems associated with asthma, high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes and general heart problems.

With a gastric bypass, the stomach is divided into two parts using a stapling device; a small upper pouch and a large lower ‘remnant’ pouch. The small intestine is rearranged accordingly, bypassing the large pouch and thus significantly reducing the volume of the stomach. Altering the anatomy like this gives the sensation of feeling ‘full’ when eating, far quicker, due to the tiny capacity of this new stomach, therefore leading to rapid weight loss.

Also referred to as obesity surgery, metabolic surgery or weight loss surgery, Bariatric procedures are designed to restrict the amount of food the body can absorb.

 

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MyMediTravel offers 32 Medical Centers in Turkey, some of which offer Gastric Bypass Surgery procedures - see below for the complete list, along with estimated prices. The price of a Gastric Bypass Surgery can vary according to each individual’s case and will be determined based on a patients medical records / medical profile and an in-person assessment with the surgeon. For a bespoke quote and to discuss further with a member of our patient support team, Click Here to submit your Free Quote.

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Additional factors to consider:

1. Recovery time varies and most gastric bypasses can be performed via keyhole under general anesthetic, so scarring is minimal. This makes for shorter recovery time. Most people stay in the hospital 3 to 5 days, and get back to normal activities in 3 to 5 weeks. 

2. Success rate is extremely high and it is common to lose weight quite quickly over the first year following bariatric surgery and a Dietitian will recommend changes to your diet and eating patterns, including additional vitamins and minerals, to achieve the best results. Most people lose at least 50–60% of their excess body weight. Surgery will not necessarily get you back within the healthy weight range (BMI of 20–25kg/m2) but it will get you closer to it. 

3. Patient reviews often cite the improved self-esteem and quality of life. The vast majority of patients are extremely happy with their decision and despite the risk and challenges would recommend it to others, with less than 1 in 10 experiencing any issues.

4. Complications and side effects may include, bleeding or leaks from the staple joins, bowel obstruction, feeling weak from low blood sugar levels and the risk of infection. Patients should expect some loose skin, particularly in areas of extreme weight loss.

5. Behaviour modification is essential; a commitment to regular exercise and a disciplined approach to diet are vital to the success of the treatment. 

6. Preparation will involve several tests and consultations with experts to determine which bariatric procedure is most suitable.

7. For a better understanding of the procedure, watch this short video.

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Alternatives Bariatric Procedures:

1. Gastric Band - An inflatable silicone device is fitted around the top portion of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch, intended to decrease the amount of food consumed in one go.

2. Gastric Sleeve - The stomach is reduced to about 15% of its original capacity by surgically removing a large portion it, resulting in a sleeve or tube-like structure. This process is irreversible.

3. Gastric Balloon - An inflatable device is temporarily inserted into the stomach via endoscopic placement. The balloon obstructs a sizable area of the stomach, thus reducing the amount of food it can contain at any one time.

 

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Find top clinics for Gastric Bypass Surgery in Turkey at the lowest price. Compare costs & reviews of 32 clinics, specialized in Gastric Bypass Surgery procedures in Turkey.

Gastric Bypass Surgery in and around Turkey

Where East meets West – Turkey is considered to be both Asia and Europe, with 95% of its landmass being located in Asia. Rich in culture and history, a land once inhabited by some of history’s greatest empires, including most recently the Ottoman Empire and long before that, the Roman and Byzantine Empires. Of Turkey’s 1,200+ medical facilities, more than 40 of which are JCI-accredited and this includes an even mix of publicly and privately owned hospitals and clinics.

700,000 annual medical tourists are drawn to Turkey each year, traveling from all across the globe, particularly from within Europe and the Middle East, many of which travel for Gastric Bypass Surgery procedures. Dental, Cosmetic, Bariatric, and Reproductive procedures are most common, including Veneers, Hair Transplants, Gastric Bypass Surgeries and IVF. Popular medical tourism destinations outside of the capital, Ankara, of course, include Istanbul and other regions like Antalya and Izmir.

Popular Parts of Turkey

With its population of around 80 million, Turkey has a landmass of nearly 800,000 square km. Its capital city is Ankara, located in-land, however, Istanbul is the most populous and most recognized city in Turkey with some 15 million inhabitants. Straddling both Europe and Asia, the city attracts 13 million tourists each year, making it the fifth most popular tourist destination in the world.

Other popular areas include Antalya in the south and Izmir is the west. The east of the country is generally less popular among tourists due to the on-going Kurdish-Turkish conflict, and more recently due to its close proximity to both Syria and Iraq.

Holiday resorts in the south, such as Marmaris and Bodrum are ever popular with sunseekers looking for reasonably priced all-inclusive 5-star luxury hotels to vacation in.

The discovery of the world’s oldest known megalithic site at Gobekli Tepe in the South-Eastern Anatolia Region has cast much doubt over mankind’s ancient history and consequently attracts a sizable number of ‘History Tourists’. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is believed to be over 11,000 years old, built during a time humans were understood to be simple hunter-gatherers.   

Weather and Climate in Turkey

Being located on the Mediterranean Sea, the south coast of Turkey benefits from the cooling sea breeze, however, this doesn’t take away from the extreme heat experienced during the summer months of June, through August, where temperatures can reach up into the ‘40s (104°F). During Spring and Autumn, the weather is much cooler and winters are mild.

Given the sheer size of the country, Turkey does not have consistent weather throughout; the central area is mostly semi-arid steppe, whilst the Black Sea region in the north is far milder than the southern Mediterranean Sea region.

Mosquitos and sandflies can be an issue, particularly in coastal regions during the summer, so be sure to protect against them. Malaria is extremely uncommon but seek the advice of a medical professional before traveling.

Getting around in Turkey

Istanbul’s famous Ataturk International Airport sits 24 km outside the city and is home to the ever-popular Turkish Airlines. Most other major airlines service Ataturk, which is often used as a stopover destination for travelers between Europe and Asia. All the other major cities are serviced by their own international airports, with several low-cost domestic airlines joining them together, including AtlasGlobal, IZair, Onur Air, Pegasus Airlines and SunExpress.

For those preferring to travel by land, Turkey has a few express train routes linking the major cities, most notably, Istanbul to Ankara. City buses are reliable and good value, whilst taxis are cheap, but be sure to negotiate the price before beginning any journey.

Tourist Visas in Turkey

Visa restrictions are minimal, with 90 days per visit for many nationalities being easily obtainable. However, e-visas are required in advance for a fee prior to arrival for those holding US, UK, Australian, Chinese and Spanish passports, to name a few. The likes of French, German, Russian and Singaporean passport holders can enter visa-free.

For Indian and Pakistani nationals, conditional e-visas are available on arrival at Ataturk International Airport only and expire after just 30 days. For more information on visa requirements, refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. 

Additional Information

1. The Turkish Lira (TRY) is the local currency where $1 USD is worth about 5 TRY.
2. ATMs are in abundance across Turkey and accept all bank cards (Visa, Mastercard). Credit card and Amex payment are accepted in most restaurants and outlets, with the more local food vendors or food market stalls, only accepting cash. Tipping is expected as service is not included at restaurants, this is usually between 5-10%. Taxi rides tend not to be tipped, just rounded up.
3. Turkish is the local language with the eastern Kurds speaking Kurdish too. English is spoken by many locals working in tourist locations, including the major cities.
4. Islam (99.8%) is by far the main religion in Turkey, with a tiny Christian population (0.2%). Turkey is, however, a secular country where there is no ‘official’ state religion. Various elements of traditional culture remain, with much being modernized or ‘Westernized’.
5. There are many public holidays, most notably Labor Day and Commemoration of Ataturk in May, Ramazan Feast in June, Kurban Bayrami in August and Republic Day at the end of October. Precise dates may vary year to year so be sure to check in advance as crowding is common during busy areas on these days.