What is a Weight loss Surgery? (also known as Bariatric Surgery)

A bariatric surgery is performed to achieve significant and permanent weight loss. Through these procedures, the whole digestive system or parts of it are modified to reach weight loss goals.

These surgical procedures are performed when other weight losing methods such as dieting and exercising don’t work to lose the desired weight amount.

As bariatric surgeries got safer with the latest technological advancements, they became a popular surgical procedure for patient who have a body mass index higher than 35.

There are several different types of bariatric surgeries. As some of them focus on limiting the amount of nutrition absorbed by the body, some of them focus on limiting the amount of food you can eat and some procedures focus on both of these.

Types of Bariatric Surgeries

Different types of bariatric surgeries are performed for patients with different cases and various prior conditions they might have.

Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy)

Gastric Sleeve is the surgical procedure where, to decrease the hunger levels and to limit the amount of food intake, a portion of the stomach is removed.

This method is preferred among the patients as it does not require any modification of the intestines. Also, the patients who have a gastric sleeve surgery will need a shorter hospital stay than most other patients that had other bariatric surgeries.

Patients will be under general anesthesia for the duration of the surgery. During surgery, 70 to 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving behind a slim, tube like shape.

Following days of the surgery, the patient will be on a special diet to help their bodies adjust to the changes they went through.

Patients can expect to have a weight loss up to 70 percent. After a gastric sleeve surgery, the patients will also need to make lifestyle changes to have long lasting results.

Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y Surgery)

As the name suggests, Gastric Bypass is a surgical procedure where the top of the stomach is separated from the rest of the stomach and this top part is then connected to the small intestine so that the food the patient intakes bypasses the rest of the stomach and the patient’s food intake is limited.

Gastric Bypass procedure is one of the commonly performed weight loss surgeries in Turkey as the results of the surgery are beneficial in numerous ways. Through this procedure and weight loss, prior conditions patient might experience such as type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol—and sleep apnea can be treated.

After the procedure, the size of the stomach is reduced to a small pouch and the first section of the small intestines is bypassed hence limiting the food the patient can consume and also limiting the number of calories the intestines can absorb.

Gastric Bypass can be done using laparoscopy or open surgery.  The surgery is done under general anesthesia and the average hospital stay is 3 days.

After the procedure is completed, the patient will be abiding by a diet that is designed for them to help them heal in the shortest time possible and less painful as possible.

Gastric Transit Bipartition (Diabetes Mellitus/Metabolic Surgery)

Gastric Transit Bipartition procedure is a widely accepted and used metabolic surgical method where the end section of the small intestine is connected to the stomach to form a new way.

Gastric Transit Bipartition is generally done under general anesthesia and laparoscopy is used for the surgery.

This model of treatment is designed to help patients with a BMI higher than 30 to lose weight and to treat diabetes Type 2.

One of the benefits of this procedure is that it can be reversed and revised as needed.

On average, this surgery requires a three-day hospital stay.

Non-Surgical Options:

Gastric Balloon

What non-surgical solution is available for people who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 to 40? The gastric balloon! It is one of the most popular weight-loss operations without any surgical intervention, which may be recommended by your doctor depending on your health.

The instruments for the Gastric Balloon operation are: a soft, expandable balloon, a placement tube and a filling system. The gastric balloon is too big to pass into the gut and a small amount of food gives the a long feeling of fullness. This helps to achieve significantly a long-term weight loss goals.

Gastric Botox

Another wel-known non-surgical weigh loss method is the Gastric Botox, which is a perfect option for people who are to receive anesthesia. Doctors advise this kind of operation to people who have excessive fat rather than obesity problem. 

Gastric Botox operations include botulinum toxin injections that have been used recently. They are injected with endoscopy needle into the gastric fundus. Botulinum toxin affects striated muscles of the stomach and inhibits their contractions that helps to slow down the food digestion.  It takes a longer time for the stomach to digest the food and gives the feeling of long fullness. The botulinum toxin is injected into the gastric fundus because it isthe center of the stomach for appetite, which stops Ghrelin hormone signaling from the area. As a result, this procedure decreases the appetite and gives the feeling of long fullness.

The effects of gastric botox injections last up to 6 months and are immediate, only  about 72 hours. The procedure doesn’t need to be repeated in patients  who have succeeded to lose enough weight.  However, the procedure may be repeated 3 times successively with 6 months interval and has no drawbacks associated with the repetition.

The effect of the gastric Botox procedure starts fast. The patients recover within 3 hours and the  effects  begin within 2-3 days with reduction of the appetite and continue up to  6 months. The weight loss begins to appear after only two weeks, with a final target of 10-20 pounds weight loss. In order to evaluate closely the weight loss effects 6 months after Botox, a lot of attention should be paid to the diet in this process and it is advised to follow also a dietitian.

Recovery from Bariatric Surgeries

Bariatric surgery recovery requires a specific diet set by the surgeon and the nutritionist with an addition of a few weeks of resting.

Bariatric surgeries are laparoscopic with a tiny incision that requires a short recover period of the patient.

The patient will consume only liquids for a month after the surgery in order to adjust to the procedure and slowly start with solid food after.

Why is Turkey the most convenient destination for your bariatric surgery?

Apart from the low prices compared to other countries around the world, Turkey has extremely experienced surgeons who conduct the most recent and modern procedures successfully to patients from all over the world. The prices offered to the patients include a package with also high-level accommodation, private transportation and consultation fees.

Istanbul is among the easily accessible destinations that has modern and high-equipped hospitals with educated and experienced medical staff.

Who can have sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve surgery)?

Gastric sleeve surgery is performed on people who fail to lose weight despite besides their consistent efforts.

The body mass index (BMI) must be above a certain value.  Suitable candidates for weightloss surgeries are obese patients (with a BMI of +30 to 39) and morbidly obese patients (with a BMI higher than 40).

The surgery will be successful if the gastric sleeve surgery is performed by an experienced doctor who is an expert in this lind of operation. Also, the surgery will be condicted in a proper clinic followed by a healthy diet and exercises. The patient should not experience weight gain if the aftercare plan is followed properly and a new healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically, is adopted.

The Benefits of Weight Loss Surgeries

Losing weight in a short amount of time.

Remission of type 2 diabetes and improvement in cardiovascular health

Reduced risk of cancer

Longer life span

Decreasing medications required by comorbidities caused by being overweight

Increase in quality of life, self-confident and self-esteem

Weight Loss Surgery Recovery

The total recovery time after a weight loss surgery will depend on the kind of surgery that you opt for. The most invasive ones, that is, the sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass require a full recovery time of 2-4 weeks. (before physical exercise can be resumed). For a gastric band surgery, full recovery usually takes one week, just as the gastric balloon.

Do I have to follow a strict diet after weight loss surgery?

Yes. For recovery purposes after the operation, gastric band Turkey patients, gastric balloon Turkey patients, and general bariatric surgery Turkey patients will be required to follow a strict diet based on smashed food and light liquids (no alcohol or soft drinks). Also, smoking should be absolutely avoided as long as possible after a gastric band surgery Turkey or gastric sleeve surgery Turkey. Your surgeon will provide you with all the necessary instructions concerning your dietary requirements right after surgery, for the next 8 weeks, including medication and vitamin supplements.

Can You Fly After Bariatric Surgery in Turkey?

Yes. Patients are in perfect condition to fly back home 1 week after a Turkey weight loss surgery.

Is Weight Loss Surgery in Turkey Safe?

Yes. Due to government subsidies to the medical industry, high volumes of patients and outstanding medical facilities, Turkey is one of the top destinations for medical tourism in the whole world, providing outstanding surgeries to tens of thousands of patients yearly. Cygnus Clinic surgeons have been operating weight loss surgeries for over 20 years with a +99% success rate.

• Operation

Bariatric Surgery

• Duration

Around 2 hours

• Stay

3-4 Nights in the Hospital

• Type of Anesthesia

General

• Recovery Time

About 1 week (4 weeks without heavy sports)

• Results

Immediate and Permanent if Instructions are Followed

• Side Effects

Possible Malnutrition, Pain,

• Potential Complications (when performed incorrectly or by an inexperienced surgeon)

Leakage, Hair Loss, Hernia,

• Scarring

Minimal to None

• Pain

None (General Anesthesia). Painkillers will be provided after the operation

• Sports

None for at least 4 weeks

• What to Bring

Comfortable Clothes, the rest will be provided

• BMI Value

Category

• 18.5 and Below

Underweight

• 18.5 – 24.9

Healthy

• 25 – 29.9

Overweight

• 30 – 39.9

Obese

• 40 and over

Morbidly Obese