Weight Loss Surgery in Turkey

The Weight Loss Unit at ROMOY is a committed group of medical professionals comprising of bariatric surgeons, registered dieticians, nurse practitioners — who are all devoted to weight loss and the treatment of obesity for patients traveling to Istanbul, Turkey.

Specializing in bariatric surgeries, such as laparoscopic surgery for weight loss, the hospital provides solutions for obesity for individuals who are severely overweight.

Advantages of the Laparoscopic approach include:

•    Reduced post-operative pain

•    Shorter hospital stay

•    Faster return to work

•    Improved cosmetic appearance

Laparoscopy involves using a specialized telescope (laparoscope) to view the stomach, which typically allows smaller abdominal incisions. 

Surgical Methods in Use

Gastric Bypass

This procedure is the most widely applied surgical method for the treatment of obesity worldwide. First, the stomach is reduced in volume, thus decreasing the amount of food intake. Second, the absorption of nutrients is reduced because the length of the path to the small intestine has been shortened.

This surgical method is favored in patients who have the habit of consuming high calorie foods because they consume foods small in amount but high in calories.

After surgery, patients lose 70-80% of their excess weight in about 1 to 2 year(s). This result is close to perfection. The patient also undergoes an easier process for adapting to new eating habits.

Gastric Balloon

Gastric Balloon is a non-surgical treatment. It is an appropriate alternative for patients who may not want surgical treatment but cannot lose weight by dieting and exercise. In a limited phase; the balloon can be only be left in the stomach for a maximum of 6 months. After this period, the balloon must be removed. The removal procedure is also performed endoscopically and the patient can go back to regular activities after 2 hours.

Lap Band (Gastric Band)

Lap band surgery aims at reducing the volume of the stomach. The basics of weight loss are based on the principle of preventing excess food intake by reducing the size of the stomach.

The most important advantage of this operation is that it is performed laparoscopically and results in a shorter hospital stay. However, after the surgery, the patient needs a certain amount of time to start eating solid foods. It is no longer possible to continue an eating habit like the one in the past.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

During this operation, greater curvature of the stomach is removed to leave the stomach shaped like a tube with a volume of 100-150 ml. Weight loss is achieved through 2 mechanisms in this procedure.

• Restrictive effect — Weight loss associated with a mechanical limitation and reduction of gastric motility as a result of gastric volume reduction
• Endocrine Effect — Sense of satiety is achieved by ensuring reduction of levels of ghrelin hormone, defined as hunger hormone, produced by the portion of the stomach removed. Ghrelin is a peptide protein secreted by the cells in upper portion of the stomach called fundus. It strongly stimulates the region in the brain that increases appetite. During sleeve gastrectomy operation, fundus region which produces ghrelin of the stomach is removed so appetite is reduced, contributing to weight loss.

Choosing between the different operative procedures involves the surgeon’s preference and understanding the patient’s eating habits.

The ROMOY Team is well aware of the difficulties in obtaining medical service in another country, and in a foreign culture. By working with ROMOY, you will feel always “at home” at every stage of your treatment.  We will accompany you starting from the moment you enter the country up until you leave.