When people think about coming to Turkey for gastric sleeve surgery, they usually picture the hospital, the recovery, the results. What they don't always expect is that the trip itself can become one of the most meaningful experiences of their life.
That's exactly what happened for our patient Ngatiira. She came to Istanbul with &NewMe for her gastric sleeve surgery and before her procedure, she and her travel companion took the time to explore Turkey, including a visit to Gallipoli. What she didn't expect was that this trip would turn into a chance to walk the same ground her great-grandfather once fought and fell on, over a century ago.
This is one of the many reasons our patients love combining their treatment journey with real, unforgettable experiences in Turkey and Ngatiira's story is one we simply had to share.
Ngatiira travelled to Istanbul with &NewMe for her gastric sleeve surgery, ready to begin her own journey toward better health. Like many of our patients, she added a few days before her procedure to see the country and chose Gallipoli, a place that would turn out to hold a deeply personal significance for her.
Ngatiira is a descendant of Sergeant Waretini Rukingi Haupapa. As she shared with us:
"From the rugby field to the battlefield. Sergeant Waretini Rukingi Haupapa, 16/62 soldier of the NZ Māori Contingent WW1 and a NZ Māori All Black (1913) fell at Gallipoli on 1 Sept 1915. Thought to have been killed by sniper fire."
For decades, part of his story remained hidden. It was only when his Victory Medal was found beneath the foundations of an old whare in Waipa that things began to change. In Ngatiira's words:
"Koro's Victory Medal, found beneath the foundations of an old whare in Waipa, decades later, brought his story home to our whānau. His courage and sacrifice live on through Us, his Uri - Te Whanau Haupapa!"
Ngatiira and her companion visited the places where the NZ Māori Contingent fought:
"Kabatepe, North Beach, Sphynx Hill, Anzac Cove, Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine. These were the places where NZ Māori Contingent fought."
She shared just how deeply the day affected her:
"All I could think of as a Mokopuna was thinking of Koro as a 21 year old, ex NZ Māori All Black, a role model for his Whanau at Ohinemutu, how he would have yearned to just come home to his Pā. That's what hits, that's what stays with you, especially entering his final resting place - Embarkation Pier Cemetery."
"No words on this experience because of how overwhelming it was to be there with him." 😔💕
"Gallipoli was brutal: death, disease, flies, lice, and poor rations. Many feared they'd never leave alive, my Koro being one of them. The hardest part of the day was looking back at his resting place, leaving my Koro behind in this foreign land. But it is the people of this whenua who continue to look after and maintain the cemeteries and memories of the Wars."
Ngatiira also spoke warmly of her guide for the day, Barak:
"I was honoured to have thee best tour guide his name Barak who embraced the history as much as his culture, whose knowledge filled my kete more than I expected. So many gems in his korero. I had a small karakia to bless this pounamu to my friend Barak and then bid farewell to our new awesome bro!"
When Barak learned Ngatiira was a direct descendant of one of the ANZAC soldiers on the tour, he was surprised and told her it was rare for that to happen. So he adjusted the day's itinerary, allowing her and her companion to visit her Koro's resting place at Embarkation Pier Cemetery in person — a moment she called herself "forever grateful" for.
As she told the rest of our group afterward, in her own words:
"Highly recommend this guide Barak if you ever go to Gallipoli guys."
Ngatiira summed up the whole experience simply:
"Only a few words can explain the feeling you have when you visit Gallipoli. A wairua-filled day that left me mokemoke for our Koroua - Koro Waretini!"
And reflecting further on what the day meant to her:
"I get it now, that instant connection to the whenua because our koroua lay there amongst the 10's of thousands of other soldiers that didn't get to come home, that eerie type of emotion sits deep with you throughout the whole day."
"Took awhile for me to process what will and always be - our hononga to this whenua through the affects of War."
"A Day of carrying heavy emotions and a Day of Rememberance that's what this was - E Koro Waretini e, ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a koe, mō ake tonu atu. Moe mai moe mai rā."
Ngatiira's story is a powerful reminder that a trip for surgery can become so much more. While she came to Turkey to begin her own health journey with the gastric sleeve, she also found herself walking in the footsteps of her ancestor, closing a circle that had been open for over a hundred years.
We are so grateful she chose to share her story and her Koro's words with our community, and even more grateful we could, in some small way, be part of a journey that meant so much to her and her whānau.
Lest we forget.
Every one of our patients comes to Turkey for a different reason, but many leave with more than they expected — new friendships, unforgettable experiences, and stories like Ngatiira's. Whether it's a Bosphorus boat tour, a historical Istanbul walk, or something as personal as tracing your own family history, there's time built in before surgery to make your trip your own.
If you're considering gastric sleeve surgery and want to find out if you're eligible, check your eligibility here, or reach out to us directly — we'd love to help you plan a journey that's just as meaningful as it is life-changing.
💬 Ready to Learn the Facts About Gastric Sleeve?
Schedule a call with Denise, our gastric sleeve expert, to explore your options, costs, and packages in Turkey.
✅ Your transformation starts here.
We help match you with the right provider based on your medical history, travel preferences, and budget. This personalized approach ensures that you receive the best possible care before, during, and after your gastric sleeve in Turkey.
If you’re comparing options online, you may wonder what’s included in the prices you see.
Most reputable gastric sleeve packages in Turkey include:
Medical consultations and pre-surgery tests
Endoscopy and anesthesia
3–4 days in a private hospital room
Intensive care unit access if required
Ground transportation between airport, hotel, and hospital
Nutritional supplements
Follow-up with a certified dietitian after your return home
Some packages do not include a hotel stay, but you can ask for additional days in the hotel.
The fact that so many of these services are included is one of the main reasons gastric sleeve in Turkey is so popular among international patients.
Choosing to undergo a gastric sleeve is a big decision. And for many, Turkey offers the perfect balance between affordability, medical safety, and comprehensive support.
If you’ve been searching for terms like:
how much does a gastric sleeve cost in Turkey
is it safe to have gastric sleeve in Turkey
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…we hope this guide has answered your questions. If you're still unsure, our team is happy to provide a free consultation and help you decide if Turkey is the right choice for you.
Sarah, 38, Christchurch, New Zealand
"Before my gastric sleeve surgery with &New Me, I struggled with obesity-related health issues. Now, I’ve lost 40 kg, and my diabetes is under control. I finally feel like myself again."
Michael, 45, Sydney, Australia
"I hesitated for years, but &New Me gave me confidence. I lost 50 kg post-surgery, and my energy levels have skyrocketed!"