You are not alone.There is a safe path forward.
Evidence-based bariatric care in Istanbul — coordinated with structure, clinical honesty, and international accountability. Whether you are still exploring, on a waitlist, or have been turned away before, every case is evaluated individually and guided without pressure.
"We don't push surgery. We explain it clearly — and we tell you if it's not the right step."
Bariatric Surgery · IstanbulWhy weight keeps coming back
— and when surgery makes sense.
Understanding this is the starting point of every honest bariatric consultation we do.
A small centre in the brain called the hypothalamus controls weight like a thermostat. When you lose weight, it works to restore the previous level. For this set point to accept a new weight, you need to maintain that weight for at least one year — which is why most diets lead to regain.
Sleeve gastrectomy significantly reduces circulating ghrelin levels by removing the gastric fundus — the primary site of ghrelin production. This is not just portion control. It changes how the body signals hunger at a hormonal level.
No bariatric procedure works without lifestyle change. Surgery creates the conditions — it does not replace the commitment. Patients who do not adapt their habits over time will regain weight, regardless of the procedure chosen.
Standard criteria are BMI >40, or BMI >35 with comorbidities. But every case is evaluated individually. The 2022 ASMBS/IFSO guidelines now support surgery consideration at BMI 30–34.9 in the presence of metabolic disease. Your full history matters more than a single number.
Most bariatric consultations begin with a procedure recommendation. Ours begin with a question: is surgery actually the right step for you right now? If lifestyle changes, a gastric balloon, or a non-surgical approach is more appropriate for your situation, that's what we'll say — even if it means not proceeding.
— Medical Center Klinik Clinical Team, IstanbulThree approaches.
One right one for your case.
Not every patient needs surgery. We evaluate each case and recommend the pathway that fits — not the one that generates a procedure.
The stomach is reduced to approximately 1/5 of its original volume using a laparoscopic stapling technique. This limits food intake and — critically — removes the part of the stomach that produces most of the hunger hormone ghrelin. Five small incisions. Surgery takes 45–90 minutes. Three nights hospital stay.
A silicone balloon placed endoscopically into the stomach, occupying space and reducing hunger. 25–30 minutes under sedation. No hospital stay. We recommend the 12-month balloon for weight loss purposes; the 6-month version may be used as pre-surgical preparation in selected cases.
Botulinum toxin injected endoscopically into the stomach wall, temporarily slowing gastric emptying and delaying hunger. 25–30 minutes. Same-day discharge. Appropriate for patients 5–15 kg above target weight who eat primarily in response to hunger, not emotional eating.
Your journey,
step by step.
From first question to discharge and beyond — a structured process with no gaps and no guesswork.
What goes into your surgery
— and why it matters.
The outcome of bariatric surgery depends on the surgical team, the materials used, and the follow-up protocol. Here is what you can expect.
Stapling and sealing materials from Covidien (USA) and Ethicon (Germany) — the two most established names in surgical stapling technology, with extensive clinical track records.
Most cases are performed laparoscopically — 5 incisions of 1–1.5 cm, significantly less pain and faster recovery than open surgery. Open approach used case-by-case for safety in selected high-BMI or prior-surgery patients.
Surgeon, anaesthesiologist, internal medicine specialist, and a physiotherapist for respiratory care post-surgery. Complex cases receive additional specialist reviews before proceeding.
A small drain is placed along the staple line following surgery and monitored for the first 48–72 hours. This allows early detection of any staple line leakage — a standard precaution, not an indicator of complications.
Staple line leakage: approximately 1–3% (systematic review average ~2.4%). Gastric stenosis: less than 2% in contemporary series. These figures are disclosed to every patient before any decision is made.
Smoking significantly increases anaesthesia complications. We ask patients to reduce or stop smoking before surgery. This is not a routine disclaimer — it is a clinical requirement that directly affects your outcome.
What happens after surgery
is as important as the surgery itself.
A structured protocol from day one through to 12 months post-surgery — monitored and supported throughout.
The staple line takes up to one month to fully heal. Solid food causes stomach contractions that could stress the suture line. Liquid nutrition only during this period.
Transition to soft, mashed, or blended foods for 1–2 weeks. The stomach's function is essentially being replicated externally through food preparation at this stage.
Walking from week 3–4. Gym training from mid-to-end of month 2. Sessions of 30–45 minutes. Professional guidance recommended to ensure conscious weight loss and minimise skin laxity.
Deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and protein are common and must be monitored. Routine blood panels at each milestone — deficiencies identified are corrected with targeted supplementation.
The reduced stomach volume alters alcohol absorption significantly. Tolerance changes unpredictably post-surgery. No alcohol for the first six months.
The body needs time to stabilise at its new weight and restore reproductive function. Our standard recommendation is to wait a minimum of 18 months post-surgery before conceiving.
Who this is for —
and who it isn't.
An honest summary of who tends to benefit and who may not be ready yet. If you are unsure, speak to our team — that's what the free consultation is for.
Common questions,
answered honestly.
You don't have to
decide today.
Start with a private conversation — no pressure, no commitment, no judgment. Our team will answer your questions honestly and help you understand whether this is the right path for your situation.
No obligation. You stay in control at every step.
