Bariatric Surgery (Weight Loss Surgery)

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric Surgery, commonly known as weight loss surgery, is a range of surgeries that involve alterations to the digestive system in the form of potentially making the stomach smaller and bypassing a portion of the intestines to induce weight loss. Bariatric Surgeries are also effective at treating sleep apnea, arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Bariatric Surgeries are the most effective treatments of obesity and are recommended to people with a BMI above 30 by International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity (IFSO) and American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Bariatric Surgeries are the perfect weight loss methods for people who have been unsuccessful with diet and exercise.

All Bariatric Surgeries performed by Booking Surgery are done laparoscopically, which involves making small keyholes instead of large incisions. Laparoscopic surgeries are minimally invasive and usually result in no permanent surgery scars.

Booking Surgery, with Turkey’s health infrastructure, can provide the highest standard of care for a low cost. Bariatric Surgery cost varies according to the procedure and patient health history, contact us for an exact quote.

What are The Different Types of Bariatric Surgery?

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric Sleeve Surgery, synonymous with Sleeve Gastrectomy and Sleeve Bariatric Surgery, works by reducing the size of the stomach. Around 80% of the stomach is removed, and a tubular sleeve is created.

The removed portion of the stomach is responsible for creating the majority of the Ghrelin hormone. Ghrelin, also dubbed “The Hunger Hormone” by researchers and doctors because of its significant effect on appetite. Removal of the portion of the stomach reduces the production of Ghrelin, which reduces hunger felt by patients.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery is the safest surgical Bariatric Surgery. On average 60% of the excess body weight is lost within the first year post surgery.

Roux En Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Roux En Y Gastric Bypass, also simply called Gastric Bypass, is a type of weight loss surgery that involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and connecting the newly created pouch directly to the intestines. The modified digestive system will make swallowed food go into the newly created small pouch and then directly into the intestines, thereby bypassing most of the stomach and 150 - 200 (4.92 - 6.56 feet) cm of the bowels.

Gastric Bypass is one of the most common types of Bariatric Surgery in the world. On average 80% of the excess body weight is lost within the first year post surgery.

Lifelong usage of Bariatric vitamins is required after Gastric Bypass and since Gastric Sleeve can be revised into bariatric surgery, Gastric Bypass is seen as the more effective last resort compared to Gastric Sleeve.

Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery

Mini Gastric Bypass, also called single anastomosis Gastric Bypass, combines aspects of Gastric Sleeve and Roux En Y Gastric Bypass. Mini Gastric Bypass is a simpler surgery than Roux En Y Gastric Bypass, which is the two anastomosis Bypass.

Top of the stomach is stapled to form a thin tube and is then sewn to a loop of the intestines, bypassing the duodenum and approximately 200 – 250 cm (6.56 - 8.20feet) of the bowels.

Mini Gastric Bypass is just as effective as a regular bypass, but will worsen acid reflux that is caused by a hiatal hernia. Mini Gastric Bypass is recommended for patients who previously had a Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Band but were unsuccessful with weight loss. Mini Gastric Bypass provides remarkable and sustainable weight loss.

Gastric Balloon Surgery

Gastric Balloon Surgery is a non-surgical Bariatric treatment, where a medical grade, saline-filled, Gastric Balloon is inserted into the stomach cavity and decreases appetite by occupying approximately a third of the stomach volume. The Gastric Balloon causes the digestion to slow down, prolonging the full feeling. Gastric Balloon insertion is an outpatient procedure that takes about 20 minutes and is performed under general anesthesia. No incisions are made and no hospitalization is required.

Feeling uncomfortable and nauseous for the first few days following gastric balloon is to be expected. Medication that counters these side effects will be provided post surgery.

There are 3 kinds of Gastric Balloons: 6 month, 12 month and swallowable.

6 and 12 month balloons have to be removed by a medical professional near the end of their lifespan, while the swallowable balloon is removed naturally without any outside medical help.

On average 40% of the excess body weight is lost with the 6 month Gastric Balloon. Gastric Balloon is a non-surgical Bariatric treatment and is no substitute for surgical Bariatric treatments.

Revisional Bariatric Surgery

Revisional Bariatric Surgery is performed to repair or change a previous weight loss surgery. This surgery is appropriate for patients who:

Had less-than-optimal weight loss

• Experienced weight regain
• Had complications from their initial Bariatric Surgery.

Any kind of bariatric surgery can be revised, including less effective surgeries that we do not offer like the gastric band, but it must be revised into a Bariatric Surgery we offer.

What Are The Risks of Bariatric Surgery?

Even though the laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery is safer than Gallbladder removal, like any major surgery, it does come with certain risks. There are risks that are associated with the operation itself and risks that are associated with the result of the altered digestive system.

Surgery Related Complications:

• Bleeding
• Blood Clots
• Infections
• Hernias
• Anastomotic or Staple Line Leaks
• Anesthesia Related Risks
• Perforation of Stomach or Intestines
• Pouch or Anastomotic Obstruction
• Obstruction of Stomach or Bowel
• Death

Altered Digestive System Related Complications:

• Internal Herniation
• Leakage
• Protein or Calorie Malnutrition
• Vitamin or Iron Deficiency
• Gallstones
• Dumping Syndrome
• Reflux

How do I Choose The Best Bariatric Surgery Procedure?

While our patients are recommended to familiarize themselves with every Bariatric Surgery, our Bariatric team of surgeons will evaluate their medical history to determine which

Bariatric Surgeries they qualify for and make a recommendation specific to the patient. The details of eligible surgeries will be explained in greater detail, including Bariatric Surgery cost, by the Patient Coordinator.

Bariatric Surgery requirements include a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 28.

Here are some of the Bariatric Surgery criteria that our surgeons use:

• For a BMI between 28 and 30, gastric balloon procedure is recommended.

average 10 kilograms (22 lbs) when combined with exercise.

• If heartburn is present and caused by a hiatal hernia, then Gastric Sleeve or Mini Gastric Bypass will exacerbate the condition, so a Roux En Y Gastric Bypass Surgery will be recommended.

What can I expect before, during, and after bariatric surgery?

Before:

After completing your booking, your Patient Coordinator will provide you a treatment schedule, which is an itinerary of your trip, and a liver reduction diet. You should follow your diet until the surgery date and check your treatment schedule for details of your trip.

Generally, you will arrive at the hospital a day before your surgery and have your pre-op tests. These tests include ECG, ultrasound, blood tests, respiratory tests, Covid PCR, but might be changed according to our patients’ health condition.

Consultations by an Anesthesiologist, an Internal Medicine specialist, and a dietician are part of the pre-op examination, additional consultations might be needed depending on the patient.

During:

Bariatric Surgery will take 20 minutes to an hour depending on the surgery type. There is a possibility that after the surgery begins, the surgeon will need to change the Bariatric Surgery type. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Also, our surgeons may perform a hernia repair as it is necessary to continue with the Bariatric Surgery.

Our Bariatric nurses will do period checks every 15 minutes for the first 8 hours. Followed by checks every hour for the first day post surgery. Each will include blood draws for continuous testing, and expect IV fluids to be given for hydration as well. Walking 4 hours post operation will be encouraged and will lower potential gas pain. Liquid consumption will begin 2 days post operation and our dietitian will give a training about post-op Bariiatric nutrition.

You can expect to start losing a noticeable amount of weight within the first month post operation.

What Should Be Done After Bariatric Surgery?

After getting home:

First 3 weeks following surgery, a liquid only diet is advised to the patient. Followed by a 3 week puree stage, where both liquids and puree foods are fine to consume. Then, by a slow transition into solid food.

Booking Surgery’s dietitian team will help patients with their nutrition during and after the 7 week special diet process.

Compression socks need to be regularly worn to prevent Deep Vein thrombosis and stomach protectors and blood thinners must be used as prescribed to lower the risk of blood clots and prevent erosion of the stomach.

Special Bariatric vitamins, collagens and biotin are also recommended as they will lower hair loss and other side effects of Bariatric Surgeries.

Consuming at least 60g of protein per day is important to prevent malnutrition, we recommend protein shakes to reach this number in the liquid and puree stages. Consumption of sugar, alcohol, and carbonated or caffeinated drinks is not recommended for the first 6 months after Bariatric Surgery.

Heavy sports and swimming are not recommended for a month following Bariatric Surgery, but frequently walks are recommended a week after surgery.

Check the booklet given after your Bariatric Surgery and contact our dietitian for more nutrition information.

What are The Bariatric Surgery Advantages and Disadvantages?

Advantages:

• Patients who undergo a Bariatric Surgery have an improvement of obesity-related conditions including: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea, and arthritis.
• Bariatric Surgeries can result in an improvement of cardiovascular health, joint pain, and reduced depression as a self-esteem. Unlike yo-yo diets, Bariatric Surgeries are the most successful methods of long-term weight loss.
• Having Bariatric Surgery also balances the menstrual cycle and can lead to increased fertility in women.

Disadvantages:

• While the reduction in nutrient absorption triggered by Bariatric Surgery allows for weight loss, it can also cause malnutrition, hair-loss, low blood sugar, and vomiting.
• Depending on the procedure hernias, ulcers, and acid reflux are also possible.
• Like any major operation, Bariatric Surgery has multiple risks, check the Risks of Bariatric Surgery section for more details.

Results of Bariatric Surgery

Weight goals can be reached with minimal effort in nutrition and exercise after Bariatric Surgery. Visual appearance of weight will be visibly different, on average, by the end of the first month post operation. Most patients, approximately, reach their goal weights in 9 to 12 months. Please check out the Before After photos in our gallery.

Weight Loss Surgery Cost