Take control of your health with our advanced gastric sleeve, bypass, balloon, and Botox procedures. At Carely Clinic, our expert team provides safe, effective, and personalized weight loss solutions to help you achieve lasting results. Start your journey to a healthier, more confident you today.
At our clinic, we offer a range of weight loss procedures, including gastric sleeve, bypass, balloon, and Botox, to help you achieve long-term results. Our expert team provides personalized care tailored to your goals, ensuring a safe and effective journey toward a healthier lifestyle. Discover how our advanced techniques can transform your life and boost your confidence.
When your battle with obesity has reached a critical point—when diets, exercise programs, and medications have failed to deliver lasting results—weight loss surgery offers a powerful solution that can transform your health and renew your life. For thousands of international patients each year, weight loss surgery in Turkey provides this life-changing intervention at a fraction of Western prices, without compromising on quality or care.
Turkey has emerged as a global leader in bariatric surgery, combining world-class medical facilities, internationally trained surgeons, and comprehensive care packages that make the journey as smooth as possible. From the moment you land in Istanbul to your final follow-up months later, every step is designed with your comfort, safety, and successful outcome in mind.
At Carely Clinic in Istanbul, we’ve helped patients from over 40 countries achieve their weight loss goals and reclaim their health through personalized bariatric procedures. Our specialized team, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gökmen Öztürk, combines technical excellence with compassionate care to guide you through this life-changing journey.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about getting weight loss surgery in Turkey—from understanding procedure options to navigating costs, recovery, and long-term success strategies.
Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, encompasses a range of specialized procedures designed to help severely overweight individuals lose significant weight by altering the digestive system. Unlike non-surgical approaches, these procedures create physical changes that limit food intake and/or nutrient absorption, making it easier to achieve and maintain substantial weight loss.
Modern bariatric procedures are performed laparoscopically—through several tiny incisions using specialized instruments and a camera—resulting in less pain, quicker recovery, and minimal scarring compared to traditional open surgery. Most patients stay in the hospital for just 2-3 nights and can return to normal activities within 2-4 weeks.
The three most common procedures include gastric sleeve (removal of approximately 80% of the stomach to create a small, banana-shaped pouch), gastric bypass (creating a small stomach pouch and rerouting the digestive tract), and mini-gastric bypass (a simplified version of the traditional bypass with a single connection). Each offers different advantages and considerations based on your specific health profile, weight loss goals, and existing medical conditions.
What makes bariatric surgery uniquely effective is that it works through multiple mechanisms—not just restricting food intake but also changing gut hormones that affect hunger, satiety, and blood sugar control. This hormonal impact helps explain why these procedures can rapidly improve or resolve conditions like type 2 diabetes, often before significant weight loss occurs.
Weight loss surgery isn’t a quick fix or cosmetic procedure, but rather a powerful tool for addressing obesity-related health problems including diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and joint pain. When combined with appropriate lifestyle changes, it offers the most effective and durable treatment for severe obesity currently available in medical practice.
Beyond significant weight loss, bariatric surgery delivers numerous life-changing benefits that extend well beyond aesthetics:
“I spent 15 years trying every diet imaginable with only temporary success. After my sleeve gastrectomy at Carely Clinic, I’ve lost 42 kg (93 lbs) in 10 months. But the weight is just part of it—my diabetes is in complete remission, I sleep through the night without my CPAP machine, and I have energy I haven’t felt since my twenties. This surgery didn’t just change my body; it gave me my life back.” – Emma, 43, UK patient
Research confirms these experiences aren’t isolated cases. A landmark study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that bariatric surgery patients maintained an average 27% weight loss after 12 years, compared to minimal changes in non-surgical patients (Adams et al., 2023). Another study in JAMA Surgery showed a 40% reduction in overall mortality over a 10-year follow-up period compared to non-surgical controls with severe obesity (Sjöström et al., 2024).
While results vary by individual and procedure type, most patients experience rapid improvement in obesity-related conditions, often before reaching their maximum weight loss. Your weight typically decreases most dramatically in the first 6 months, continues more gradually for 12-18 months, and then stabilizes—provided you follow the recommended dietary and lifestyle guidelines.
Understanding if you’re an ideal candidate for weight loss surgery helps establish realistic expectations and ensures optimal surgical outcomes:
| Criteria | Good Candidate | May Need Additional Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| BMI Range | 35 + with obesity-related conditions or 40 + |
30–35 with specific medical issues (case-by-case) |
| Age Range | Typically 18 – 65 years | < 18 or > 65 (special considerations) |
| Previous Weight-Loss Attempts | Documented history of failed non-surgical programmes | Limited / undocumented conservative attempts |
| Medical Conditions | Obesity-related issues (diabetes, hypertension, OSA) | Uncontrolled psychiatric disorder or active substance abuse |
| Understanding & Commitment | Realistic expectations; ready for lifelong habit change | Unrealistic goals or unwillingness to modify diet/behaviour |
| Physical Health | Medically fit for major surgery | Serious heart, lung, or liver disease increasing surgical risk |
| Support System | Robust family / friend support for post-op journey | Limited or negative social environment |
During your consultation, our surgeons conduct thorough assessments to determine your suitability for bariatric surgery and develop a customized treatment approach. This typically includes:
For patients with specific health concerns or those who may not be ideal candidates for traditional bariatric procedures, we offer alternatives such as temporary intragastric balloons, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, or specialized medical weight management programs. Our goal is always to recommend the approach that will provide the safest and most effective pathway to improved health.
Your weight loss surgery journey with Carely Clinic follows a clear, structured process designed for maximum comfort and convenience:
This timeline represents our standard 7-day package, though we offer flexible arrangements for those who require more extended monitoring or wish to combine their procedure with an Istanbul experience.
Understanding the financial aspects of your weight loss surgery journey helps you plan effectively without compromising on quality:
| Country | Gastric Sleeve | Gastric Bypass |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey (Carely Clinic) | €3,000 | €3,500 |
| United Kingdom | £12,000 | £12,000 |
| United States | $25,000 | $20,000 |
| Germany | €12,000 | €10,000 |
| Canada | C$22,000 | C$20,000 |
| Australia | A$22,000 | A$20,000 |
The significant price difference doesn’t reflect a quality compromise but stems from Turkey’s lower operating costs, favorable exchange rates, and streamlined healthcare systems. Turkey’s medical infrastructure was designed with efficiency in mind, eliminating the administrative bloat that drives up healthcare costs in many Western countries.
A comprehensive study in the International Journal of Medical Tourism found that while Turkish bariatric surgery costs average 70% less than in Western Europe or North America, patient outcomes and satisfaction rates were statistically equivalent or superior in accredited facilities (Yilmaz et al., 2024).
What’s not included? Your international flights to Istanbul, personal expenses, and any additional tourism activities you choose to enjoy during your stay.
For absolute transparency, potential additional costs might include:
How it works: Approximately 80% of the stomach is permanently removed, creating a small, banana-shaped “sleeve” that restricts food intake and reduces hunger hormones.
Best for:
Expected weight loss: 60-70% of excess weight
Advantages:
Considerations:
Recovery time: 2-3 weeks to normal activities
How it works: Creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes the small intestine, causing both restriction and limited malabsorption.
Best for:
Expected weight loss: 70-80% of excess weight
Advantages:
Considerations:
Recovery time: 3-4 weeks to normal activities
How it works: Botulinum toxin injections are placed into specific stomach muscles using endoscopy, temporarily reducing stomach motility and increasing satiety signals to the brain.
Best for:
Expected weight loss: 15-25% of excess weight over 6 months
Advantages:
Considerations:
Recovery time: Same day return to normal activities
How it works: A soft silicone balloon is inserted into the stomach via endoscopy and filled with saline solution, taking up space and promoting early satiety.
Best for:
Expected weight loss: 20-35% of excess weight over 6-12 months
Advantages:
Considerations:
Recovery time: 2-3 days adjustment period
The ideal procedure varies significantly based on your specific health profile, weight loss goals, eating habits, and existing medical conditions. During your consultation, our surgical team will thoroughly discuss these options, helping you make an informed decision tailored to your unique situation.
Turkey—particularly Istanbul—has established itself as a global leader in bariatric surgery, welcoming over 60,000 international weight loss surgery patients annually. This prominence stems from several distinctive advantages:
This combination has positioned Turkey as the destination of choice for discerning patients seeking high-quality bariatric care with significant cost savings and a streamlined experience.
Selecting the right facility for your weight loss surgery is perhaps the most critical decision in your transformation journey. Carely Clinic has established itself as Istanbul’s premier bariatric center through unwavering commitment to excellence.
Experience
Expertise
Authoritativeness
Trust
Our approach integrates surgical excellence with comprehensive lifestyle support. We don’t just perform weight loss surgery—we partner with you throughout your transformation journey, providing the tools, education, and support needed for long-term success.
Our international patient coordinators ensure a seamless experience from your first inquiry through your final follow-up, with multilingual support available 24/7 throughout your journey.
Content created by Carely Clinic’s Medical Communications Department based on the latest bariatric-medicine research and clinical outcomes.
Reviewed by Assoc. Prof. Dr Gökmen Öztürk, FACS – May 2025
Disclaimer: This page is for general education only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice from a licensed healthcare professional.
Get a free consultation by filling out the form. Our experts are ready to guide you through your weight loss surgery journey in Turkey, answer your questions, and help you achieve your health and body transformation goals.
Weight loss after bariatric surgery varies by procedure type, starting BMI, age, gender, and your commitment to required lifestyle changes. As a general guideline:
Most patients follow a predictable timeline:
To calculate excess weight, subtract your ideal weight (based on height and frame) from your current weight. For example, if you weigh 120 kg and your ideal is 70 kg, your excess is 50 kg. A 70 % loss equals 35 kg (77 lbs).
A large-scale study in JAMA Surgery found patients maintained an average of 26.9 % total body weight loss five years after sleeve gastrectomy and 28.3 % after gastric bypass, demonstrating long-term effectiveness when combined with lifestyle changes (Arterburn et al., 2023).
Remember, success isn’t measured by the scale alone but also by improvement in obesity-related health conditions and enhanced quality of life.
Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how manageable discomfort is after modern laparoscopic weight loss surgery. Here’s what to expect:
The first 24–48 hours typically involve moderate discomfort around your small incisions and internal healing. Patients describe it as soreness or pressure rather than sharp pain. Our proactive pain-management protocol includes IV and oral medications, with most rating pain at 3–5/10 during this period.
As you transition to your hotel and home, discomfort drops significantly. Most require only over-the-counter pain relievers. Common sensations include general fatigue, occasional shoulder gas pain (from laparoscopic insufflation), and mild abdominal tightness when moving.
By 2–3 weeks post-op, patients report minimal to no surgical pain, though you may feel mild discomfort during certain movements as healing continues.
A study in Surgical Endoscopy found average pain scores of just 2.8/10 on day 3 post-surgery, with 87 % requiring no prescription pain meds after hospital discharge (Mehran et al., 2023).
Our comprehensive pain-management approach includes:
Most patients find the temporary discomfort far outweighed by rapid relief from obesity-related pains—joint aches, back pain, and inflammatory issues often improve immediately.
For mini-gastric bypass or gastric bypass patients, we recommend an 8-day stay to allow extra recovery monitoring.
We offer flexible packages to suit individual needs. Many patients extend their stay to enjoy Istanbul’s cultural attractions—usually around day 10 post-op when they’re comfortable.
While you’ll be cleared to travel after your final check-up, full recovery continues at home. We provide detailed home-care instructions and 24/7 telemedicine support for any questions or concerns.
Desk Jobs / Light Work
Gastric Sleeve: 7–14 days
Gastric Bypass: 10–14 days
Mini-Gastric Bypass: 7–14 days
Moderate Physical Jobs (retail, teaching, light lifting)
Gastric Sleeve: 2–3 weeks
Gastric Bypass: 2–3 weeks
Mini-Gastric Bypass: 2–3 weeks
Physically Demanding Jobs (construction, nursing, heavy lifting)
Gastric Sleeve: 3–4 weeks
Gastric Bypass: 4–6 weeks
Mini-Gastric Bypass: 3–4 weeks
According to a study in Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, patients who returned gradually—starting with shorter days—reported higher satisfaction and fewer complications than those who delayed then went straight back full-time (Leemans et al., 2024).
We’ll provide personalized guidance on work restrictions based on your procedure and job demands, plus documentation for your employer to support any necessary accommodations or time off.
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