Gastric Sleeve in Turkey

No. The removed part of the stomach cannot be put back, so a sleeve is permanent. If needed later, a sleeve can be converted to a gastric bypass in a second operation.

Providers typically require at least 2 nights in hospital and at least 1 night in a hotel before you fly home. The exact length depends on the provider and package - your written quote shows it. One package on &NewMe, for example, has 3 nights in hospital and 1 hotel night. You fly home once your surgeon confirms you are fit to fly.

Yes. On the NewMe Comfort package (and most full packages on &NewMe) one companion stays free - in your hospital room and at the hotel, with meals. They only pay for their own flight (and any extra nights you add). Check your quote. Travelling alone is fine too - your coordinator is on WhatsApp throughout.

Usually the surgery, at least 2 nights in hospital, pre-op tests, transfers and complication insurance (check its limits and any initial exclusion period - see below). Flights, travel insurance and hotel nights after discharge are often extra. It varies by provider, so compare written quotes - see the included / extra list above, or the gastric sleeve cost guide for each surgeon's live price.

Yes, on most full packages - Turkish law requires it for international patients. On the NewMe Comfort package, for example, complication insurance from Demir Sağlık ve Hayat Sigorta is included: its Essential plan covers up to €2,500 for treating a complication in Turkey, for 6 months, but not in the first 7 days after surgery or discharge. You can extend it before surgery: Plus (+€99) raises cover to €5,000 and adds up to €500 for treatment at home, plus a return flight (up to €500) and hotel (up to €1,000) if you need to come back; Premium (+€129) is Plus with cover from day 1. Other providers' policies differ - check your quote.

No plan covers the original surgery, malpractice claims, rehabilitation, conditions unrelated to the surgery, or anything after 6 months; further treatment is normally at the same hospital unless the insurer agrees otherwise. Travel insurance is separate - tell your insurer about the surgery.

In an emergency, call your local emergency number first (111 in New Zealand, 000 in Australia, 999 in the UK, 112 or 999 in Ireland) and say you had a sleeve gastrectomy. Warning signs include chest pain or breathlessness, a fast heartbeat with fever, severe or worsening tummy or shoulder pain, not keeping fluids down, or a swollen, painful calf.

Then message your coordinator on WhatsApp, day or night. On &NewMe packages we ask your surgeon to review your symptoms, send your English discharge summary to the doctors treating you, help you find care locally, and start the insurance claim with you if your policy covers it.

What insurance pays depends on your plan. On the NewMe Comfort package the included plan covers complication treatment in Turkey; the Plus and Premium upgrades add up to €500 for treatment at home and a return trip if you need one. Public hospitals at home treat emergencies - New Zealanders are not eligible for ACC support for complications of weight loss surgery done overseas.

Usually yes - these are among the most common reasons people have a sleeve, and type 2 diabetes often improves or goes into remission afterwards. Weight alone rarely rules you out. Tell the surgeon about every condition and medication up front (for example insulin, metformin, blood thinners or a CPAP machine); they will plan your tests, anaesthesia and medication around it, and some patients are asked to lose a little weight before surgery.

• CPAP: bring your machine - you will use it in hospital after surgery.
• Diabetes medication: the surgeon tells you when to pause or reduce it; most people need less, sometimes none, within weeks.
• Blood sugar at home: keep your GP in the loop so they can adjust your medication as you lose weight.

Usually a routine blood test at home a few weeks before, so the surgeon can confirm you are ready. The full pre-op tests are done in Istanbul before surgery.

Tell us which medication and dose you take. Your surgeon will tell you when to stop before surgery.

Gradually. You move from liquids to puréed and soft food, and then to normal food over the first weeks, ideally guided by a bariatric dietitian.

For life. After a sleeve you eat much less and absorb some nutrients less well, so guidelines advise daily supplements for life and blood tests at about 3, 6 and 12 months, then at least once a year for life (BOMSS 2020; Health NZ). Typically:

• A complete A-Z multivitamin and mineral every day - often 2 standard tablets, or a bariatric-specific one as your team directs
• Vitamin B12 - UK guidance uses an injection every 3 months; some teams use a daily high-dose tablet instead
• Calcium and vitamin D every day, taken at a different time from iron
• Iron if your blood tests or periods call for it
• Thiamine (vitamin B1) - some teams add it for the first weeks or months

This is general guidance (ASMBS micronutrient guidelines) - your surgeon and dietitian set your plan and doses, and your GP can arrange the blood tests at home.

You start walking on the day of surgery or the next day - short, frequent walks, a little further each day. Typical timelines (your surgeon may adjust them):

• Weeks 1-6: walking and light everyday activity; no heavy lifting and no tummy exercises
• Swimming and baths: only once your wounds have fully healed - check with your surgeon
• Gentle gym cardio (bike, cross-trainer): often from about 4 weeks, building up slowly
• Weights, core work and contact sports: from about 6 weeks, when your surgeon agrees

Long term, aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week plus strength training 2-3 times a week - it helps you keep muscle while you lose weight (ASMBS/AACE 2019 guidelines; NHS sleeve gastrectomy patient information). General guidance - follow the plan your surgeon gives you.

The same as Turkish patients under the Patient Rights Regulation: to be informed, to give or refuse consent, to get your medical records, to ask for a second opinion and to complain formally - to the hospital patient rights unit or the Ministry of Health line (ALO 184). &NewMe explains your rights before you book and stays on your side.

Each provider sets its own cancellation and refund terms. Ask for them in writing before you pay, including what happens if the tests in Istanbul show you cannot have surgery.

You can still get a free assessment and a written quote - your GP's approval is not required to have surgery. Ask your GP for a factual letter about your health and medication anyway, or see another GP for a second opinion, and keep your GP informed: they stay your doctor at home after surgery. New Zealanders paying with KiwiSaver: see what to do if your GP won't support it.

Yes - many people do. On full packages a driver meets you at the airport and takes you to the hospital and hotel, and your coordinator is on WhatsApp throughout. A companion is welcome but not required; tell your coordinator if you would like one.

Usually not. You arrive and rest after the flight, then have pre-op tests and meet your surgeon; surgery goes ahead once the results are fine - on some plans the same day as the tests, on others the next day. Your itinerary is in your quote.

When your surgeon confirms you are fit to fly. Providers typically require at least 2 nights in hospital and at least 1 night in a hotel before you fly home. The exact length depends on the provider and package - your written quote shows it. Long-haul flights need extra care with blood-clot prevention, and some health authorities advise waiting longer before flying long-haul (Health NZ, via RNZ) - talk to your surgeon and plan extra nights if needed.

A sleeve removes about 75-80% of the stomach; a bypass makes a small pouch and reroutes part of the gut and is often suggested for bad reflux; a revision is a second operation after an earlier weight loss surgery, for example converting a sleeve to a bypass. Your surgeon recommends one after reviewing your health and history - ask for it in your free assessment.

Not for a tourist visit if you hold an ordinary passport from the UK, Ireland, Australia (up to 90 days in any 180 days) or New Zealand (up to 90 days) - no e-Visa needed. Your passport must be valid for at least 60 days beyond your stay (Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Other passports: check the Ministry's page before you book.