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Advantages of Having Gastric Sleeve Abroad

Gastric sleeve is a weight loss surgery and a life-altering decision that needs strong motivation and discipline from the patient. Even after the surgery, you will need to change your lifestyle to maintain the procedure results. There are many advantages of having gastric sleeve surgery abroad:

It is affordable 

The main reason many patients from the US, UK, and Europe travel abroad to have gastric sleeve surgery is to reduce the cost of the treatment. Most patients can't afford to do gastric sleeves in their native country.

The average cost of gastric sleeve surgery in the UK is 12,000 GBP. Compared to Turkey or Poland where it cost %50 less.

Gastric sleeve surgeons abroad are highly experienced  

Finding the right surgeons is vital to ensure your procedure goes well and as planned. Specific destinations have some of the best doctors in the bariatric surgery field. They have been in the field for years, and you can check their qualification, experience, and the types of weight loss surgeries they performed in the past.

Doctors abroad speak and communicate in English. 

Countries like Turkey, Poland, and Hungary are medical tourism hubs. They regularly deal with international patients. If the doctor has weak English proficiency, these clinics provide a translator as part of their service.

The Ideal Candidate For Gastric Sleeve

You qualify for a gastric sleeve if you have a BMI higher than 35. But if the patient has a medical condition like type 2 diabetes or arterial hypertension, a BMI of 30 - 35 is considered within the acceptable range.  

Gastric Sleeve Cost Abroad 

The factors that affect the cost of gastric sleeves abroad are the hospital's location, the surgeon's experience, the technique used, and the type of treatment.

Country  Estimated Cost
UK 

10,000 - 13,000

US

9000 - 27,000

Turkey €2850 - €3500
Australia

20,000

Learn more about Gastric Sleeve in Turkey by comparing costs and reviewing the clinics and doctors.

Gastric Sleeve Clinics(4 Clinics)

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Medical Park Antalya Hospital
Antalya, Turkey
Medical Park Antalya Hospital Verified
  • ISO 9001 Certified
  • Over %95 effective result rate
  • Uses the latest technology
  • Premium facility
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Medical Park Goztepe Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey
Medical Park Goztepe Hospital Verified
  • 293 patient beds
  • JCI accredited
  • Over %90 effective result rate
  • Located in the heart of the city
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Medical Park Bahcelievler Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey
Medical Park Bahcelievler Hospital Verified
  • Has JCI Accreditation
  • High quality hygiene policy
  • 1000+ treatments (operations) last year
  • Follows strict standards to deliver exceptional services
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Medical Park Ankara Hospital
Ankara, Turkey
Medical Park Ankara Hospital Verified
  • Well-equipped staff
  • Advanced diagnosis and treatment methods
  • 158 beds
  • Award-winning surgeons
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By Abdulaziz Ali - Medically reviewed by Prof. Cuneyt Kayaalp, on Feb 08, 2024

What Qualifies You For The Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

A sleeve gastrectomy or gastric sleeve surgery may not be suitable for extremely overweight individuals as the surgery itself can be life-threatening. In some cases, it’s best to wait and lose some weight under physician supervision and with the help of a well-planned diet and exercise program before undergoing surgery.

How Long Should You Stay in The Hospital After The Surgery? 

The patient is required to stay 4 nights in the hospital.

What You Should Avoid Before The Surgery? 

The patient should stop using blood thinners such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E at least 2 weeks before the gastric sleeve surgery. At least 3 weeks before the surgery, the patient should stop smoking as it can interfere with the anesthesia and then the recovery period.

How is Gastric Sleeve Procedure Performed? 

The patient is administered general anesthesia, and the surgeon may begin to work on removing part of the stomach and the fundus. Since gastric sleeve surgery is a laparoscopic procedure, around 6 incisions are created around the abdomen area.

During gastric sleeve surgery, the surgeon removes most of the stomach. The remaining part of the stomach is joined together using surgical staples. A long tube or banana-shaped stomach has been created when this process completes and the small cuts(incisions) used are stitched closed. The entire surgery takes about 60 to 90 minutes to complete. 

At the end of the operation, around 25% of the stomach will remain and function as normal, still connected to the small intestine and the esophagus.

The Recovery Timeline 

Patients who decide on gastric sleeves abroad, spend around 4 days in the hospital after the surgery and the whole recovery period lasts about 4 weeks, after which they can safely return to work and their daily activities. Patients need to follow a special sleeve gastrectomy diet during the recovery period, effectively avoiding solid food for a few weeks.

In this way, the recovery will be more comfortable and the adaptation of the "new" stomach to the body and the systems can be achieved more smoothly.

Gastric Sleeve Operation Complications  

Gastric sleeve side effects can include: 

  • Nausea from the anesthesia 
  • Aversion to foods 
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation

The Gastric Sleeve Success Rate

Gastric sleeve has a 99% success rate according to patients’ reviews of their surgery results. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgery can help patients live a healthy life and improve eating habits according to the gastric sleeve reviews

What To Expect After Gastric Sleeve Treatment?

The amount of weight the patient loses after gastric sleeve surgery or sleeve gastrectomy depends on the patient’s determination to follow the doctor’s post-op instructions. A proper diet needs to be followed regularly and kept following consistently. 

What is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty?

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a newer, minimally invasive weight-loss procedure that works by helping patients limit how much they eat. 

The minimally invasive weight loss procedure minimizes the risk of operative complications. The patients enjoy minimum downtime and can resume their regular schedule sooner than they would if they underwent a surgical operation. 

After endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, the patient must commit to a healthier lifestyle. The patients must ensure they switch to a more nutritious diet and exercise regularly to help them enjoy the long-term success of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. 

The Benefit Of Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Abroad 

Medical innovation has made many complicated surgeries easier and made accessible surgeries more effective. Weight loss surgery has evolved, and its success rate has increased. Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty abroad (ESG) is the latest innovation in weight loss surgery.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a newer, minimally invasive weight-loss procedure that works by helping patients limit how much they eat. Most patients prefer to have bariatric surgeries abroad because it's affordable, and they don't need to register for a waiting list to receive the treatment.

But the appeal of receiving the procedure abroad isn't limited to affordability.

Spend your recovery period in a stress-free luxury environment

Some patients prefer an agency to plan their treatment abroad. It gives you relief to focus on your recovery. The agency will prepare a customized trip that fits your needs. The package will include flight, accommodation, and airport transfer.  

Affordability doesn't compromise the quality of the treatment 

The quality isn't compromised for affordability. The surgeons are well-versed in bariatric surgeries and have years of experience. Some of them have credentials from prestigious global universities. The standard of care and expertise in these clinics abroad is as good as those in the UK, US, and Europe, if not better.

Reduced waiting time 

In some countries like the UK and USA, there is a waiting time for a specific procedure, which can take months. But in medical tourism countries, it is reduced drastically. In some cases, with no waiting time.

Easy visa process 

Medical tourism hubs like Turkey, Poland, and Hungary facilitate the visa process for international patients. In these destinations, the visa is obtained immediately via an online procedure that will only take you minutes to complete.

Assistance before, during, and after treatment

Medical tourism agencies will assist you before, during, and after treatment. It includes free doctor consultations and all necessary arrangements for medical travel such as airplane bookings, hotel arrangements, transport, plus guides on having a successful surgery.

After treatment, you will periodically receive tips and guides to help you with the recovery period.

Tips For Choosing Apollo Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Clinic Abroad 

  • Schedule an online consultation. Most clinics or hospitals that work with international patients offer this service. 
  • Ask what's the follow-up steps after the surgery and aftercare procedure steps. 
  • Choose the right surgeon, do your due diligence, and enquire. 
  • Plan your trip well, and give yourself time to rest after the treatment. 

Ideal Candidate For Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty

The endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is ideal for patients ineligible for a surgical weight loss procedure. To undergo the procedure, you must have a minimum body mass index of 30.

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Recovery Time

For endoscopic procedures, there is no external scarring. Besides, there is less pain and risk of infection, and Patients leave the hospital 1 to 3 days after the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedure. 

However, full recovery time could take up to 4 weeks. When the patients get home after the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, he must plan on taking things easy for a while. 

Note that the body is usually still recovering from the stress of major surgery and weight loss during the recovery period. The patient's activity is restricted avoid strenuous activities for 3 to 6 weeks after the operation. 

Remember, the body is still at risk of blood clots, so the patient should avoid sitting for long periods. That means walking for about five minutes every hour is recommended. 

How is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Performed?

The procedure involves the insertion of a camera through the mouth down the patient's gastrointestinal tract. 

Similar to surgical sleeve gastrectomy, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty's goal is to reduce stomach size, with the position of sutures marked before the procedure commences. 

The doctor inserts the beak-like suture device into the camera into the gastrointestinal tract. Finally, the stomach is sewn front and back into a U-shape until an acceptable size.  The ESG procedure lasts for approximately 90 minutes.

How To Prepare For ESG Procedure?

  • Avoid or reduce your intake of saturated fats, including whole milk products 
  • Eliminate foods high in carbohydrates like potatoes, bread products, and pasta.
  • Do not smoke cigarettes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Are the Other Benefits Of A Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Gastric sleeve surgery can help patients suffering from 

  • Diabetes 
  • High blood pressure 
  • High levels of fat in the blood
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • And any other conditions patients suffer due to excess weight.

Gastric Sleeve vs. Gastric Bypass – What Is the Difference? 

In gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is divided into two parts, and the smaller stomach gets connected to the small intestine. The procedure can be performed laparoscopically, and it is the preferred choice among doctors and patients.

Which Foods Should I Avoid in My Sleeve Gastrectomy Diet?

Patients should avoid the following foods and drinks during their post-op diet: 

  • Sodas 
  • Honey
  • Sugary foods
  • Alcohol 
  • Ice cream
  • Any fried foods

Is endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty covered by insurance?

Some Insurance companies do not cover endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty prices. Check with your insurance company for clear information on whether they cover endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty costs. 

How much does endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty cost?

An endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty usually costs between €2850 and €3500. 

Is endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty reversible?

Yes! Like other endoscopic options, sleeve gastroplasty is reversible.