Many people choose weight loss surgery to help make a positive lifestyle change. If you’re overweight and have high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, or heart problems, weight loss surgery can help you take control of your health. It’s a good option for those who have tried to lose weight through diet and exercise but have not been able to shed excess weight. Weight loss surgery can cost more than $20,000 in several countries, especially if you don’t meet specific requirements to have insurance coverage.
Given that, many people have started considering weight loss surgery in Turkey to find affordable weight loss surgery options. Medical tourism in Turkey is booming thanks to its competitive pricing that doesn’t come at a loss in the quality of the treatment, care, and facilities you’ll have access to. Read on to discover why this beautiful country has built a reputation for high-quality surgery procedures.
There are many benefits to having weight loss surgery in Turkey. One of the biggest benefits is the cost. Bariatric surgery in Istanbul, Turkey can be a fraction of the cost of having the procedure done in other countries.
In the United States, many insurance companies don’t fully cover bariatric surgery. In Turkey, you get the benefit of affordable surgery without compromising on access to high-quality care and affordability. Here, you can get treatment and support from qualified professionals at a fraction of the cost.
Another benefit of having weight loss surgery in Turkey is the quality of care. Turkish surgeons are some of the most experienced and qualified surgeons in the world. They have a wealth of experience performing these types of procedures and are able to provide excellent care for their patients in modern and clean operating rooms.
Finally, another benefit of choosing to have weight loss surgery in Turkey is the wide range of options that are available. There are many different types of weight loss surgery procedures that can be performed in Turkey, so you can choose the one that is best for your needs.
Types of Weight Loss Surgeries
There are different types of weight loss surgeries depending on various factors, such as your weight, health concerns, and what you’ve done to try and lose weight in the past. The three main types of bariatric surgery include:
- Gastric Bypass
- Gastric Sleeve
- Adjustable Gastric Band
These surgical procedures are laparoscopic, meaning it's minimally invasive. The surgeon can make minor cuts and still part of the stomach and intestines. They use small tools and cameras to complete the surgery while you’re under general anesthesia. Laparoscopic surgeries typically have less scarring and a quicker recovery time than open surgery.
Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass surgery begins with a surgeon stapling your stomach to create a small pouch so you feel full quickly, causing you to have reduced food intake.
Next, the surgeon separates your small intestine to connect part of it to your new stomach. The food you eat goes directly into the intestine from the small portion of your stomach, meaning you absorb fewer calories.
Finally, the surgeon reconnects the other portion of your small intestine further along the tract. When this is complete, your body still gets all the necessary digestive juices and prevents changes to your metabolism and hormones.
Though a Roux en Y gastric bypass, as it’s also known, is a complex process to reverse, it’s possible. A surgeon typically only reverses gastric bypass if it’s a health emergency.
Adjustable Gastric Band
With gastric banding surgery, the surgeon puts an inflatable ring around the top of your stomach. They fill that gastric balloon with saline solution to keep the stomach pouch small, which makes you feel full faster. This process is less invasive.
If you have a gastric band but aren’t losing weight, the doctor can adjust the band to make your stomach pouch even smaller. It’s possible to inject or remove saline solution through a port, so you don’t have to undergo more surgery to change the band.
You’ll need multiple follow-up visits to get the band adequately adjusted. If you’re in Turkey for your operation, check with your doctor to see how to schedule these appointments to fit within your travel itinerary.
Gastric Sleeve
A gastric sleeve surgery is also called a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. This process involves the surgeon removing most of your stomach and closing the remaining section with staples. After the surgery, your stomach is banana-shaped and can’t hold as much food as before.
You’ll eat less and feel full sooner, which helps you lose weight and keep it off. Since the surgeon removes most of your stomach, you can’t reverse this procedure.
Cost of Weight Loss Surgery in Turkey
Turkey is a popular destination for medical tourism because the services are so affordable. While you might pay anywhere from $15,000 to $23,000 for bariatric surgery in the United States, you’ll pay a fraction of that in Turkey.
In the United Kingdom, you’ll pay £8,000 to £15,000 for surgery, the equivalent of more than $9,500 to $17,900. Weight loss surgery in Turkey costs between $3,000 to $6,000. Therefore, you can see how Turkish surgeons are the best option for many people seeking weight loss surgery.
The exact price of your surgery in Turkey will vary, just as in other countries. Factors influencing the cost include your health status and the surgeon you choose.
Best Weight Loss Surgeons in Turkey
There are many quality weight loss surgeons in Turkey. Some of the best work at the following partner clinics:
Check out each clinic to see what they offer and how they can streamline your travel and surgery process. Different surgeons work at each location, so you’re sure to find one who best understands your need for the surgery and vision for your future life.
Our Top Recommended Clinics for Plastic Surgery
Get 5 Different Quotes for you to compare from our Top Trusted Plastic Surgery Clinics in Turkey:
ClinicExpert
ClinicExpert is an international healthcare hospital located in Istanbul. They specialize in surgical and non-surgical aesthetic treatments, including dental aesthetics, hair transplants, bariatric care, eye surgery, rhinoplasty, liposuction, and more. ClinicExpert has treated over 95,000 patients from over 150 different countries. They focus on high-quality service and provide private transportation, five-star accommodations, multilingual staff, and after-care support. Located in vibrant Istanbul, it doesn't just undertake procedures but also provides comprehensive visitor experiences that combine high-level client care, first-class accommodation, and recovery support.
Istanbul, Turkey
Turkeyana Beauty Clinic
As the top beauty clinic in Turkey, Turkeyana offers a wide range of aesthetic operations including rhinoplasty, liposuction, hair implants, and of course, dental work. One of their most popular procedures, the “Hollywood Smile” is a non-surgical cosmetic operation that involves placing veneers over the teeth to produce a bright and beautiful smile. They offer free consultations, transportation, accommodation and travel planning help. With over a thousand patient reviews and testimonials, Turkeyana the top recommended clinic in Istanbul and perhaps all of Turkey.
Istanbul, Turkey
Natural Clinic
Natural Clinic is located in Istanbul, Turkey. Natural clinic is known as the one-stop-shop for all your cosmetics needs. They provide hair transplants, cosmetic treatments, plastic surgery, and dental services. This highly-rated clinic provides dental implants, endodontic surgery, and much more. Natural Clinic has over 900 reviews on Google and is a great choice for any international patient looking for affordable, high-quality dental care. Treatments available include aesthetic dentistry, dental implants, orthodontics, and more.
Istanbul, Turkey
WeCure
Based in Antalya, Turkey, We Cure aims to not only provide excellent quality of care but to couple it with a welcome and well-deserved relaxing Mediterranean break! They are committed to providing YOU the very best levels of service from the moment you enquire all the way through to arriving safely back home and with our 5-star aftercare, you will have complete peace of mind. They can help with dental implants, all-on-four & all-on-six, crowns and veneers, cosmetic dentistry, digital smile design, and oral and maxillofacial surgery. They also provide every kind of plastic surgery from liposuction, to rhinoplasty, to breast implants and more.
Antalya, Turkey
Cura Medical
Antalya, Turkey
Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery
There are many benefits of weight loss surgery. Staying fit and healthy adds years to your life. Once you start losing weight due to the procedure, you’ll have more energy to work out, which continues to help you lose even more weight.
Losing weight also helps improve your health regarding more severe issues than your body type. With a healthy BMI, you can improve heart disease, lower your blood pressure, and keep your cholesterol under control. A healthy weight can even restore your blood sugar levels, which could eliminate diabetes.
Since your stomach is smaller, you’ll eat less if you get it stapled or have gastric banding surgery. You won’t feel as hungry, so small portions will be enough, and you won’t want to snack in-between meals.
Eliminating health problems means you won’t have to pay as much for prescriptions or visits to the doctor. What’s more, you may even spend less because you’re limiting the amount of food that you consume during meals. Therefore, investing in obesity surgery pays for itself in the long run. Plus, there is no price tag that can be placed on adding years on to your life and having a better quality of life.
How to Choose a Clinic
When getting cosmetic surgery, it’s crucial you trust your doctor and their team and choose a reputable clinic. Ensure you consider the following factors when selecting a surgeon:
Certification
Most importantly, check they are a certified plastic surgeon and doctor. While most Turkish surgeons are above board, every country will have individuals who don’t have the best certifications available.
Clinic Reputation
Choose an accredited clinic with a glowing reputation. Whichever clinic you choose, you need to confirm it has a credible reputation and a history of satisfied patients.
Rhinoplasty Experience
Only consider surgeons with extensive experience with nose surgery. It can help to look at pictures of previous patient results.
Level of Assistance
Don’t choose a surgeon who doesn’t take the time to answer all your questions and make you feel comfortable. If they aren’t answering the phone or they give you less than adequate answers, find someone who will be more supportive. We have personally visited all the clinics listed on this page and feel that they offer the best care available in the country.
Follow-Up Services
Any decent plastic surgeon will offer follow-up services to ensure your nose heals properly. A surgeon’s job is not done until you are happy and healed, so doctors who neglect to provide follow-up services are less trustworthy and professional.
A reputable plastic surgeon in Turkey will take the time to explain the surgery to you and help you every step of the way, including providing post operative care.
FAQ about Weight Loss Surgery in Turkey
If you have more questions about weight loss surgery in Turkey, we have the answers to some of the most commonly asked.
Who is a candidate for weight loss surgery?
You must be obese to be a candidate for bariatric surgery. People who are overweight have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 30. Obesity means your BMI is higher than 30 but that alone doesn’t qualify you for weight loss surgery.
Specific qualifications you must meet to be eligible for bariatric surgery include:
- Weigh at least 100 pounds more than your recommended weight
- Have a BMI of 35 or higher
- Have a BMI between 30 and 35 if you also have a weight-related health condition
If you meet these guidelines, your doctor can refer you for bariatric surgery.
Why is weight loss surgery in Turkey cheaper?
Weight loss surgery is cheaper in Turkey, in part due to the favorable exchange rate between the dollar/pound/Euro and the Turkish Lira. Moreover, the cost of labor and surgery products are typically much less, too, further making bariatric surgery much more affordable compared to other countries.
Is weight loss surgery in Turkey safe?
Yes, weight loss surgery in Turkey is safe. The country ranks second in Europe for plastic surgeons and ninth worldwide, so there is ample opportunity to find a qualified surgeon. The government invests an average of 250 billion Turkish Lira in their medical practices yearly, which is more than $13 million.
Just as there are many options for doctors and surgeons in the United States, you’ll want to research clinics and surgeons to ensure you find the right fit for your weight loss needs.
Final Notes
For many people, weight loss surgery can be cost-prohibitive, but Turkey has opened the doors to make this procedure much more accessible. If you want a safe and affordable option for bariatric surgery, book your appointment with a qualified Turkish surgeon. You’ll save money and get top-notch care by taking the weight loss surgery in Turkey route.