Gastric Sleeve in Turkey

In a sleeve gastrectomy operation, the stomach is reduced so that it only receives the volume size of a small banana. This leads to the fact that the stomach is already filled after small amounts of food and thus, a fast satiation feeling arises. In addition, hormonal processes are triggered, which ensure that appetite is reduced.

Even before the actual operation, some preliminary examinations must be carried out to ensure that no inflammations or tumours are present. Liver, pancreas and gall bladder must also be examined. For particularly overweight patients with a BMI over 40, a high-protein liquid phase is recommended, which starts 10 to 14 days before the gizzard operation. During this time, only liquid and protein-rich foods may be consumed in order to achieve a reduction in fatty liver. The procedure itself is performed under general anesthesia and takes about one hour. It is a keyhole operation. This means that several skin incisions of about two centimetres in size are made in the abdominal wall through which the camera and instruments are inserted. With a so-called stapling device, the majority of the stomach is cut off and the resulting suture is sealed at the same time. You must expect to stay in hospital for three to four days for a follow-up checkup.

The operation is suitable for patients with a BMI over 40. If you also suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea, the gastro-intestinal operation makes sense from a BMI of 35. However, they can only undergo the procedure if all non-operative measures, such as exercise training or nutritional advice, have not been sufficiently successful for six to twelve months. Patients whose overweight results mainly from eating too many high-calorie foods, such as sweets or alcoholic beverages, are unsuitable for this procedure.

Long-term results are not yet available for the tube stomach technique. However, it can already be observed that the chances of success are very high. You can lose between 33 and 83 percent of your excess weight.

After a sleeve gastrectomy operation, the intestine can no longer absorb enough vitamin B12, so it is necessary to supply this vitamin artificially. The risk factors are very low compared to other comparable operations. Temporary disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract or adhesions of the organs in the abdomen can occur. The risks associated with the procedure depend very much on the patient’s state of health.

Although the sleeve gastrectomy is a very effective aid, you still need to change your lifestyle and your diet permanently. It is always advisable to seek nutritional advice. In the first one to two weeks after the operation you may only eat liquid or liquid food. In the long term, any food that is divided into five to seven small meals a day is basically allowed again.