A New Beginning: Embracing a Healthy Life with Gastric Sleeve Surgery at Forever Clinica, Istanbul, Turkey!
Obesity… It’s one of today’s most insidious and widespread health problems. For many of us, it’s not just an aesthetic concern, but also the key to serious ailments ranging from diabetes to high blood pressure, sleep apnea to heart disease. Years of diets, endless exercise, and a lack of lasting solutions… If you feel lost in this vicious cycle, you’re not alone. But there’s no need to despair anymore, because at Forever Clinica in Istanbul, Turkey, we offer you the opportunity to make a brand new start with gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy).
So, what exactly is “gastric sleeve surgery”? Who is it a suitable solution for? Don’t worry, in this article, we’ll cover all your curiosities in the most sincere and understandable language, with all the details. If you’re ready, let’s take the first step towards a healthy and happy life!
What is Gastric Sleeve Surgery (Sleeve Gastrectomy)? The New State of Our Stomach
Now, let’s take a closer look at the technical side. Gastric sleeve surgery, as its name suggests, is a surgical procedure that transforms the shape of the stomach into a tube. The goal is to reduce the volume of the stomach and thus limit the amount of food you can eat.
Imagine: Our stomach normally resembles a large J-shaped pouch. In gastric sleeve surgery, approximately 70% to 80% of this large pouch is permanently removed. The remaining part takes on the shape of a thin, long banana or tube. This will be the “new state” of your stomach.
So, why is such a large portion removed? Is it just about reducing volume? Actually, no! There’s also a hormonal aspect to it, which is quite important. In the removed part of the stomach, especially in the upper part called the fundus, a hormone called ghrelin is produced. Ghrelin is commonly known as the “hunger hormone.” This hormone sends “time to eat!” signals to our brain and increases our appetite. Since this area is removed in gastric sleeve surgery, ghrelin hormone production is significantly reduced. The result? You’ll feel much less hungry, get full faster, and your portions will naturally shrink!
While all these procedures might sound intimidating, today, this surgery is performed using a laparoscopic method (keyhole surgery). This means that instead of large incisions in your abdomen, a few small holes are made. Through these holes, the surgery is performed with the help of special instruments and a camera. This makes the recovery process much faster and more comfortable.
Who is a Candidate for Gastric Sleeve Surgery? Are You the Right Person?
Gastric sleeve surgery is not an operation that just anyone can undergo. It’s a serious decision and offers the most effective solution for individuals who meet specific criteria. At Forever Clinica in Istanbul, we thoroughly evaluate each patient to determine if they are suitable for surgery. So, in general, who can be considered suitable for gastric sleeve surgery?
Individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher (Morbid Obesity): If your BMI is over 40, meaning you are severely obese, gastric sleeve surgery could be a strong option for you. In this case, surgery is considered appropriate even if you don’t have any additional illnesses related to obesity.
Individuals with a BMI between 35-40 with additional health problems: If your BMI is between 35 and 40, and you have additional health problems related to obesity such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), sleep apnea, joint problems, or high cholesterol, gastric sleeve surgery can be an ideal solution for both losing weight and getting rid of or alleviating the symptoms of these diseases.
Those who have struggled to lose weight for a long time and have not achieved results with diet and exercise: Have you tried various diets for years, joined gyms, tried to change your lifestyle, but haven’t been able to achieve significant and lasting weight loss? For some individuals, obesity can be too complex to manage with diet and exercise alone due to hormonal and metabolic imbalances. In this case, gastric sleeve surgery can provide the momentum you need.
Individuals between 18-65 years of age: Generally, gastric sleeve surgery is not recommended for individuals under 18 or over 65, except in special circumstances. However, flexibility regarding age can be determined after a doctor’s evaluation.
Individuals without serious health problems that would prevent surgery: You should not have any serious heart, lung, or kidney problems that would increase the surgical risk. Furthermore, it’s very important that you are psychologically prepared for the surgical process and the subsequent lifestyle changes.
Important Note: At Forever Clinica in Istanbul, the decision for surgery is not made solely based on your BMI. Our expert team determines the most suitable treatment method for you after comprehensive health checks, psychological evaluations, and a detailed consultation process. Before the surgery, you will definitely need to consult an endocrinologist, a psychologist, and a dietitian. This multidisciplinary approach ensures the safest and most successful outcome for you.
Advantages of Gastric Sleeve Surgery: Why Should You Choose This Surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery not only helps you lose weight but also offers numerous advantages that significantly improve your quality of life:
Rapid and Permanent Weight Loss: This surgery generally enables you to lose a significant portion of your excess weight (typically 60-70%) within the first 1-2 years. This quick start boosts your motivation and facilitates your transition to a healthy lifestyle. Most importantly, it offers a permanent solution.
Appetite Control by Reducing Hunger Hormone: As mentioned earlier, the reduction in ghrelin hormone significantly suppresses your appetite. This way, you eat less naturally without the stress of “dieting,” and your craving for snacks decreases. This is a dream for many dietitians and weight loss experts!
Improvement or Complete Remission of Metabolic Diseases: After gastric sleeve surgery, there are incredibly positive effects on obesity-related diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, joint pain, and some types of cancer. Many patients can stop their diabetes medication or normalize their blood pressure shortly after surgery. This is not solely due to weight loss; it is also related to the positive metabolic effects of the surgery.
Fast Recovery Thanks to Keyhole Surgery Technique: This surgery, performed using the laparoscopic method, is much less invasive than open surgery. This means less pain, a shorter hospital stay (usually 2-3 days), and a faster recovery. It’s easier to return to your daily life after surgery.
No Foreign Material Placed in the Stomach: Unlike some other bariatric surgery methods like gastric banding, gastric sleeve surgery does not involve permanently placing a foreign object in your body. This eliminates the risk of infection or complications related to a foreign body.
No Malabsorption in the Intestines: In some surgeries like gastric bypass, a part of the intestines is bypassed to reduce nutrient absorption. In gastric sleeve, there is no change in the structure of the intestines; only the stomach volume is reduced. This allows for natural nutrient absorption, and the risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies is lower. Of course, you may still need supplements, but your likelihood of experiencing severe deficiencies due to malabsorption is reduced.
Psychological and Social Improvement: Losing weight is not just a physical change; it also positively affects your psychology and social life. It provides numerous psychological benefits such as increased self-confidence, easier participation in social activities, and feeling more energetic. The change you see when you look in the mirror will motivate and make you happy.
Surgical Process and Recovery Period: We Are With You Every Step of the Way
Gastric sleeve surgery is a comprehensive process, and at Forever Clinica in Istanbul, Turkey, we are proud to be by your side every step of the way. Here are the stages of this exciting journey:
1. Pre-Surgery Preparation: Step by Step to a Healthy Future
The pre-operative period is one of the keys to success. During this process, we work diligently to ensure your health and the safety of the surgery:
Detailed Medical Evaluation: First, your general health condition is thoroughly evaluated with comprehensive blood tests, electrocardiography (ECG), chest X-ray, endoscopy (stomach examination), and imaging methods such as ultrasound. Your heart, lung, and liver functions are checked. All additional diseases developed due to obesity are meticulously examined.
Multidisciplinary Approach: Before the decision for surgery is made, evaluations from a team of specialists are obtained. You will be asked to consult with an internal medicine specialist, an endocrinologist, a cardiologist, a pulmonologist, a psychologist, and a dietitian. This team assesses your suitability for surgery and how prepared you are for the post-operative period. Psychological counseling is critically important for preparing you for potential emotional changes after surgery.
Nutritional Counseling: Our dietitian plans your pre-operative diet. Generally, you will be asked to start a liquid or very low-calorie diet a few weeks before the surgery. This helps to shrink your liver and make the surgical field safer during the operation.
Lifestyle Changes: It’s essential to completely stop smoking and alcohol consumption before surgery. Smoking negatively affects wound healing and increases the risk of complications. Alcohol also poses a risk to liver health. It’s very important to strictly follow all lifestyle changes recommended by your doctor.
Information and Consent: All details of the surgery, its potential risks, and benefits are explained to you in detail. All your questions are answered, and any uncertainties you have are resolved. The process is completed with your signing of the informed consent form.
2. Surgery Day: A New Beginning
When surgery day arrives, it’s perfectly normal to feel excited and perhaps a little nervous. But as the Forever Clinica team in Istanbul, Turkey, we are here to make you feel safe and the process as comfortable as possible:
- Preparations: Final pre-operative checks are performed. The anesthesiologist evaluates you and prepares you for surgery.
- General Anesthesia: The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, meaning you are completely asleep during the operation and feel nothing.
- Laparoscopic Method: Our surgeon makes small incisions (typically 4-5 incisions, 0.5-1 cm in size) in the abdominal area and inserts special instruments and a camera. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to provide the surgeon with working space.
- Stomach Reduction: Under camera guidance, a large portion of the stomach is removed using special stapling devices. The remaining stomach takes on the shape of a thin tube. The removed stomach tissue is taken out of the body.
- Duration: The surgery itself usually takes 1 to 1.5 hours. However, with pre-operative preparation and post-operative waking, it spans a longer time frame.
- Post-Operative Monitoring: At the end of the surgery, you are taken to the recovery room and closely monitored for the first few hours. Your pain is managed, and necessary medications are administered.
3. Recovery and Nutrition Process: Building New Habits
The post-operative period is a critical time for you to adopt new habits. Your diet will gradually change, and you will need to strictly follow your doctor’s and dietitian’s instructions:
Hospital Stay: You usually stay in the hospital for 2-3 days after surgery. During this time, your pain is managed, the safety of the surgery is confirmed with necessary checks like a leak test, and initial fluid intake begins.
First 1-2 Weeks: Liquid Diet Period: For the first 1-2 weeks after surgery, you can only consume clear liquids. Water, sugar-free compote, strained soup, broth, herbal teas, and buttermilk are your main sources of nutrition during this period. This time allows your stomach to heal and adapt to its new volume.
2-4 Weeks: Transition to Pureed and Soft Foods: From the second week onwards, with your dietitian’s approval, you can transition to pureed and very soft foods. For example, pureed vegetables, yogurt, cottage cheese, well-cooked and mashed fish or chicken are suitable for this period. Your portions will still be very small.
From 1st Month Onwards: Gradual Transition to Solid Foods: Approximately one month after surgery, under the guidance of your dietitian, you will gradually start adding solid foods to your diet in small portions. However, these “solid foods” will be different from your normal foods. You will need to avoid hard-to-chew and difficult-to-digest foods like nuts and red meat for a while. Chewing every bite thoroughly, eating slowly, and not drinking liquids with meals are vitally important during this period.
Regular Check-ups: You will need to attend regular check-ups with your doctor and dietitian for the first year after surgery (typically at the first month, third month, sixth month, and first year). During these check-ups, your weight loss, vitamin and mineral levels, and overall health status will be evaluated.
Physical Activity: You should avoid strenuous exercise for the first few weeks. However, light activities like walking will support your recovery and weight loss. You can gradually increase your physical activity level with your doctor’s approval.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: After gastric sleeve surgery, some vitamin and mineral deficiencies may occur. Therefore, it is very important to regularly use supplements such as multivitamins, B12, Vitamin D, iron, and calcium as recommended by your doctor. These supplements play a vital role in keeping you healthy and maintaining your energy levels.
Risks of Gastric Sleeve Surgery and Things to Consider: Transparent Information
As with any surgical operation, gastric sleeve surgery also has some potential risks and points to consider. At Forever Clinica in Istanbul, Turkey, we consider it our duty to inform you transparently about this:
Infection, Bleeding, Leakage: As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection and bleeding, but with modern surgical techniques and sterilization methods, these risks are minimal. One of the most important and rare risks is leakage. This is when there is a leak from the stapled line of the stomach. Although very rare, this condition can be treated with early diagnosis and intervention. A part of your hospital stay is dedicated to monitoring this leakage risk and taking necessary precautions.
Anesthesia Risks: Risks associated with general anesthesia exist in every surgery. However, our anesthesiologists meticulously evaluate your general health status to minimize these risks.
Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies: After gastric sleeve surgery, your stomach volume is reduced, so you will consume less nutrients. This can lead to deficiencies, especially in vitamins and minerals like B12, Vitamin D, iron, folic acid, and calcium. Therefore, it is vitally important to regularly use the supplements recommended by your doctor and dietitian for life. These deficiencies should be monitored with regular blood tests.
Insufficient Weight Loss or Regain: Gastric sleeve surgery is not a “magic wand.” After surgery, you must follow the diet plan recommended by your dietitian, engage in regular physical activity, and maintain lifestyle changes. If you revert to your old unhealthy eating habits after surgery, the stomach can stretch a bit, and unfortunately, you may regain weight. Therefore, commitment and discipline are very important in the post-operative period. At Forever Clinica, we continue to provide you with psychological and nutritional support throughout this process.
Gastric Reflux: Some patients may experience reflux (heartburn) complaints after surgery. This condition can usually be controlled with medication.
Dumping Syndrome (Rare): This syndrome can occur, especially with the rapid consumption of very sugary or fatty foods. It manifests with symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, palpitations, and sweating. Although it is rarer in gastric sleeve than in gastric bypass, it can be prevented by paying attention to your eating habits.
Remember, at Forever Clinica in Istanbul, Turkey, we use the most modern techniques to minimize these risks, and our experienced surgeons and healthcare team meticulously follow you before, during, and after surgery. When the balance of surgical risks and benefits is well evaluated, the risks of obesity-related health problems can be much higher than the risks of surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Answers for Everything on Your Mind!
We’ve compiled and answered the most frequently asked questions about gastric sleeve surgery for you:
1. How much weight does gastric sleeve surgery help you lose?
Weight loss after surgery varies from person to person, but you are generally expected to lose 60% to 70% of your excess weight. For example, an individual weighing 150 kg with an ideal weight of 70 kg has 80 kg of excess weight. In this case, the goal is to lose approximately 48 kg to 56 kg. Remember, this is just an average, and your weight loss rate may vary depending on your metabolism, eating habits, and physical activity level. The largest and fastest weight loss usually occurs within the first 12-18 months after surgery.
2. Can I exercise after surgery?
Absolutely yes! Exercise is an important part of supporting weight loss and adopting a healthy lifestyle after surgery. However, you should avoid strenuous exercise for the first month after surgery. During this period, it’s important for your wound healing to be complete. With your doctor’s approval, you can start light walks and low-intensity exercises. After the first month, you can gradually increase your exercise intensity and transition to activities like Pilates, swimming, and cycling, according to your doctor’s recommendations. Remember, exercise is important not only for weight loss but also for preserving muscle mass, boosting metabolism, and improving your overall health.
3. Does the stomach stretch again?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions. Yes, the stomach can stretch a bit with excessive and irregular eating. However, this usually does not mean it will return to its pre-surgery size. The stomach is an elastic organ, and with continuous overeating, it can stretch over time. Therefore, it is very important to strictly follow the diet plan recommended by your doctor and dietitian, control portions, eat slowly, and not skip meals. Maintaining the new eating habits you gain after surgery is key to long-term success. Remember, gastric sleeve surgery gives you a “tool,” but how you use that tool is entirely up to you.
4. Is gastric sleeve surgery reversible?
No, gastric sleeve surgery is an irreversible operation. This is because a large portion of the stomach is physically removed and taken out of the body during the surgery. Therefore, a very well-considered and conscious decision must be made before the surgery. Being an irreversible procedure further emphasizes the importance of adapting to lifestyle changes after surgery and long-term follow-up.
5. When should I stop smoking and alcohol consumption?
It is critically important to completely stop smoking and alcohol consumption at least 1 month before surgery. Smoking slows down wound healing, increases the risk of infection, and can lead to anesthesia complications. Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining and negatively affect post-operative healing. It is also recommended to avoid alcohol and smoking for a long period (usually the first year) after surgery. Your doctor will give you detailed information on this. Adhering to this rule is very important for healthy recovery and long-term success.
6. Can pregnancy be considered after surgery?
Yes, pregnancy can be considered after gastric sleeve surgery, but it is recommended to wait at least 12-18 months after surgery. During this time, it is important for your weight loss to stabilize and for your body’s vitamin and mineral balance to be established. When considering pregnancy, you must consult your doctor, and a special monitoring and nutrition plan should be created during pregnancy. These precautions are vitally important for a healthy pregnancy.
7. Does hair loss occur after surgery?
Yes, some patients may experience temporary hair loss in the first few months after surgery. This is usually associated with rapid weight loss, changes in protein intake, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. However, don’t worry, this is usually temporary and can be controlled with proper nutrition and supplements. Your dietitian will help you increase your protein intake and regularly use the necessary supplements.
8. When can I return to my normal life?
Even after being discharged from the hospital, it’s important to rest at home for the first few days. The time it takes to return to work and daily activities varies depending on the physical intensity of your job and your personal recovery speed. Generally, you can return to a desk job within 1-2 weeks. For jobs requiring heavy physical activity, this period may be longer. Your doctor will determine a specific return-to-activity schedule for you.
Step Towards a Healthy Life with the Forever Clinica Difference in Istanbul, Turkey!
The fight against obesity is a journey you don’t have to face alone. At Forever Clinica in Istanbul, Turkey, we are here to be your biggest supporter on this journey. With our expert surgeons, experienced dietitians, psychologists, and our entire healthcare team, we are by your side every step of the way, from pre-operative preparation to long-term post-operative follow-up.
With our customized treatment plans, modern medical infrastructure, and sincere approach, we ensure you progress confidently on the path to a healthy future. Our goal is not just for you to lose weight, but also to live a happier, more energetic, and freer life by getting rid of your obesity-related health problems.
Remember, change requires courage, but the results are worth it! Don’t hesitate to contact Forever Clinica in Istanbul, Turkey, to get more detailed information about gastric sleeve surgery, ask all your questions, and schedule a personalized consultation appointment. Let’s take the first step towards a healthy and happy life together!
