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A gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy) is a weight loss operation that permanently removes a large part of the stomach, leaving a narrow, banana-shaped sleeve. Because the smaller stomach holds far less food and produces less of the hunger hormone ghrelin, most people feel full sooner and less hungry between meals. It is one of the most commonly performed bariatric procedures and is intended for adults living with obesity, as one part of a lasting change in diet and lifestyle.
Is this treatment right for you?
Suitable for: adults who meet the medical criteria for bariatric surgery and are committed to permanent changes in eating habits, supplements and follow-up.
Less ideal if: you are looking for a quick or cosmetic fix, have untreated severe reflux, or a medical or psychological assessment finds surgery unsuitable at this time.
Suitability can only be confirmed by a qualified clinician after assessing you, which is why every plan begins with a free, personalised review rather than a fixed promise.
Benefits & risks
A balanced view matters more than a sales pitch. Weigh both sides and discuss them with a clinician before deciding.
Potential benefits
- Supports significant, sustained weight loss when combined with lasting lifestyle change
- Reduces appetite as well as portion size, because the part of the stomach producing much of the hunger hormone ghrelin is removed
- Weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnoea often improve after surgery
- No implanted device to adjust or maintain, and the gut is not re-routed as it is in a bypass
- Usually performed by keyhole surgery, which tends to mean smaller scars and a shorter recovery than open surgery
- Everyday activities such as mobility, sleep and exercise often become easier as weight falls
Risks & considerations
- Leaking from the staple line where the stomach was divided, which can be serious and may need further surgery
- Bleeding, infection and blood clots (DVT or pulmonary embolism) in the days after surgery
- New or worsening acid reflux and heartburn, which for some people becomes long-term
- Nutritional deficiencies, making lifelong vitamin and mineral supplements necessary
- Narrowing (stricture) of the sleeve, gallstones linked to rapid weight loss, and general anaesthetic risks
- Weight regain over time, or loose excess skin that may lead some people to consider body contouring surgery later
Am I a candidate?
- You meet the recognised medical criteria for bariatric surgery based on your body mass index and any weight-related health conditions
- You have tried structured diet and lifestyle approaches without lasting results
- You are prepared to follow a staged post-operative diet and take supplements for life
- You do not have untreated severe reflux or another condition that would make a sleeve unsuitable
- You are ready to attend follow-up and make permanent changes to how you eat
Only a qualified clinician can confirm suitability after a personal assessment.
Process & recovery
Gastric sleeve surgery is performed under general anaesthetic, usually by keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery, and typically takes around one to two hours, followed by a hospital stay of a few nights. Recovery follows a staged diet — liquids, then puréed and soft foods, then solids — over several weeks, with a gradual return to normal activity and lifelong vitamin and mineral supplements. Most weight loss happens over the following months and the change to the stomach is permanent. Risks include bleeding, infection, staple-line leaks, blood clots, acid reflux, nutritional deficiencies and, less commonly, more serious complications needing further treatment.
What is a gastric sleeve?
A gastric sleeve — known medically as a sleeve gastrectomy — is a form of bariatric (weight loss) surgery in which a large portion of the stomach is removed along its outer curve. What remains is a slim, tube-shaped stomach roughly the size and shape of a banana, closed with a line of surgical staples. Unlike a gastric balloon, nothing is implanted, and unlike a gastric bypass, the intestines are not re-routed.
The operation works in two ways. First, the smaller stomach physically holds much less food, so you feel full after modest portions. Second, the removed section includes the area that produces much of the hormone ghrelin, which drives hunger — so many people also notice they simply feel less hungry. Surgery is a tool rather than a cure: lasting results depend on permanent changes to eating habits, activity and follow-up care.
How gastric sleeve surgery works
Assessment and preparation
Suitability is confirmed through a medical assessment covering your weight history, general health, any weight-related conditions and, where appropriate, a psychological and dietetic review. In the weeks before surgery you will typically follow a short, structured pre-operative diet designed to shrink the liver, which makes keyhole surgery safer, and you will be asked to stop smoking and review medications with the treating team.
The operation
Gastric sleeve surgery is performed under general anaesthetic, almost always by keyhole (laparoscopic) technique through several small incisions in the abdomen. The surgeon divides the stomach vertically with a stapling device, removes the larger outer portion and checks the staple line carefully before closing. The operation typically takes around one to two hours, followed by a hospital stay of a few nights so the team can monitor your recovery, manage pain and start you on fluids.
In hospital and immediately after
You will be encouraged to get up and move soon after surgery to lower the risk of blood clots, and you begin the first, liquid stage of the post-operative diet before discharge. The treating surgeon reviews you before confirming you are fit to travel.
Recovery: what to expect
| Stage | What to expect |
|---|---|
| First 48 hours | Hospital monitoring, pain relief, early walking and sips of fluid; tiredness and abdominal soreness are normal |
| First 1–2 weeks | Liquid then puréed diet, gentle daily activity, wound care; most people are cleared to fly home within about a week |
| 1–3 months | Progression to soft and then solid foods, steady weight loss, return to work and light exercise as advised |
| Longer term | Small portions permanently, lifelong vitamin and mineral supplements, regular follow-up and gradually increasing activity |
Everyone recovers at a different pace, and the treating team’s instructions for your case take priority over any general timeline.
Results and longevity
The changes made during a gastric sleeve are permanent, and most weight loss typically occurs over the first twelve to eighteen months before levelling off. How much weight is lost — and kept off — varies from person to person and depends strongly on following the dietary, supplement and activity guidance long term. Weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnoea often improve, though this cannot be promised for any individual.
It is equally important to understand the honest limitations. Some weight regain over the years is possible, particularly if old eating patterns return. Rapid weight loss can also leave loose excess skin, which some people later choose to address with procedures such as a tummy tuck or other body contouring surgery once their weight has been stable for a sustained period.
Having a gastric sleeve in Türkiye
As a facilitator, we coordinate gastric sleeve surgery at accredited, Ministry of Health–authorised partner hospitals in Türkiye, where the treating surgeon and bariatric team carry out your assessment, operation and in-hospital care. Your package is all-inclusive and transparent, typically covering the hospital stay, transfers, accommodation and interpreter support, so you always understand what is being said during consultations and ward rounds.
Aftercare does not end when you fly home. We coordinate structured remote follow-up with the treating team covering your staged diet, supplements and progress, and your patient coordinator remains a point of contact for questions or concerns. To see how the whole process fits together — from the first video consultation to long-term reviews — read about the patient journey, or request a free, no-obligation personalised plan to find out whether a gastric sleeve may be suitable for you.
Before & after
Frequently asked questions
Is a gastric sleeve reversible? +
No — a gastric sleeve is not reversible, because a large part of the stomach is permanently removed during the operation. In some situations it can later be converted to a different procedure, such as a gastric bypass, but this is a further operation with its own risks. Anyone considering a sleeve should be comfortable with its permanence before going ahead.
How much weight will I lose after a gastric sleeve? +
Weight loss after a gastric sleeve varies considerably from person to person and depends heavily on how closely you follow the dietary and lifestyle guidance afterwards. Most weight loss typically happens over the first year to eighteen months, after which it tends to level off. The treating team discusses realistic expectations for your individual circumstances during assessment.
Is gastric sleeve surgery painful? +
Gastric sleeve surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic, so you will not feel anything during the operation itself. Afterwards, some pain and discomfort around the small keyhole incisions is normal for the first days and is managed with pain relief in hospital and at home. Discomfort varies from person to person and usually eases steadily over the first couple of weeks.
How long do I need to stay in Türkiye for a gastric sleeve? +
A gastric sleeve trip typically lasts around a week, covering pre-operative tests, the operation itself, a hospital stay of a few nights and a final check before you are cleared to travel. The exact length depends on how your recovery progresses and the treating surgeon's protocol. Your free personalised plan confirms the recommended stay for your case.
When can I fly home after gastric sleeve surgery? +
Most people can fly home within about a week of gastric sleeve surgery, once the treating surgeon has confirmed that early recovery is on track. Because surgery temporarily raises the risk of blood clots, you will typically be advised to keep well hydrated, move regularly during the flight and follow any instructions on compression stockings or blood-thinning injections. Your personalised plan sets out the advised departure date.
When will I see results after a gastric sleeve? +
Weight loss after a gastric sleeve usually begins in the first weeks and is often most rapid in the early months, then continues more gradually, typically levelling off within about twelve to eighteen months. Improvements in conditions such as type 2 diabetes or sleep apnoea may appear sooner for some people. Long-term results depend on maintaining the recommended eating pattern and activity levels.
What can I eat after a gastric sleeve? +
After a gastric sleeve you follow a staged diet, typically starting with liquids, moving on to puréed and then soft foods, and returning to solid textures over several weeks as the stomach heals. Portions remain small permanently, meals are focused on protein, and lifelong vitamin and mineral supplements are needed. The treating team and dietetic guidance set out exactly what to eat at each stage.
What support is there when I am back home in the UK? +
After gastric sleeve surgery in Türkiye, we coordinate remote follow-up with the treating team, covering your staged diet, supplements, wound healing and progress reviews. You can raise questions or concerns through your patient coordinator, and anything needing in-person attention is flagged so you can see a doctor promptly at home. The structure of follow-up is set out in your personalised plan before you travel.