When considering your weight loss options, surgery often appears as a drastic but rapid and effective solution. Turkey offers a range of surgical weight loss options. This post explores the various surgeries available in Turkey, comparing their benefits and risks, while also highlighting non-surgical alternatives that might be considered instead.
Popular weight loss surgeries in Turkey
Gastric bypass surgery
Gastric bypass, or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, can result in the largest amount of weight loss - around 30-35% of your body weight. It reroutes your intestines, which decreases the amount of nutrients and calories you can absorb. This surgery is typically recommended if you have a BMI over 40 or if you have a BMI over 35 with weight-related health conditions.
Gastric sleeve surgery
The gastric sleeve, or sleeve gastrectomy, involves removing a portion of your stomach to reduce its size, effectively limiting the amount of food you can consume. It's one of the most popular choices due to its relative simplicity and the significant weight loss it can deliver - 25-30% of your body weight.
Gastric band
The gastric band involves placing an adjustable band around the upper portion of your stomach to create a small pouch, reducing the space available for food. While less invasive and reversible, it generally results in slower and less overall weight loss compared to other surgeries - up to 26% of your body weight.
Gastric balloon
Gastric balloon is an outpatient procedure, not a surgery. It involves placing a balloon in your stomach to decrease the available space for food. It's temporary and typically stays in place for six months. A gastric balloon can result in 10% of weight loss.
Considering the risks
While weight loss surgery can offer significant benefits, it comes with risks such as infections, complications from anaesthesia, and in some cases, long-term nutritional deficiencies.
Patients must also commit to lifelong dietary changes and regular exercise. It’s best to try to lose weight through all other means first before committing to weight loss surgery in Turkey.
We are aware of six British nationals having died in Turkey in 2023 following medical procedures. Some British nationals have also experienced complications and needed further treatment or surgery following their procedure.
– GOV.UK
As a doctor, I urge you to research thoroughly before considering gastric balloon surgery in Turkey. I strongly advise exploring other weight loss treatments from trusted UK providers first. Your health is paramount, and it's crucial to make an informed decision.
Non-surgical alternatives in the UK
Before deciding on surgery, it's worth considering less invasive options available closer to home, such as:
- Mounjaro (Tirzepatide): A weight loss injection that can improve blood sugar control and regulate your appetite. This can result in up to 26% body weight loss.
- Wegovy (Semaglutide): A weight loss injection that mimics a hormone that targets areas of the brain involved in regulating appetite and food intake. This can result in around 15% body weight loss.
- Saxenda (Liraglutide): It helps reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness. This can result in around 10% body weight loss.
These medications have been proven to help patients achieve significant weight loss without the risks, costs and recovery time associated with surgery.
If this seems like a more appropriate treatment for you, make sure you use trusted providers in the UK, such as Medicspot and London Weight Loss Clinic, to avoid counterfeit medications.
Why consider injections over surgery?
Weight loss injections offer a less risky alternative to surgery. They are particularly suitable for individuals who:
- Are slightly below the typical BMI threshold for surgery
- Prefer to avoid the risks and long recovery times associated with surgery
- Are looking for a solution to help jumpstart their weight loss without surgical intervention
- Don’t want to wait for the long wait loss for surgery
- Have complex medical conditions which would make surgery more risky
While Turkey offers a variety of surgical weight loss options, you should consider all possible alternatives, especially non-surgical options that can provide significant benefits with fewer risks.
Consulting with trusted healthcare providers like Medicspot about weight loss injections can provide a safer and possibly more suitable solution to help you achieve your health and weight loss goals.
About the author
Dr Adam Abbs is an NHS-trained GP with a keen focus on digital health, AI in healthcare and personalised and lifestyle medicine, including weight loss. Dr Abbs is a leader in the innovation of effective, accessible and safe healthcare delivered via remote care. Dr Abbs is an expert medical writer and authored the RCGP-accredited Handbook of Remote Consultations in 2020. GMC Number 7078829 Irish Medical Council 429282