What Is Bariatric Surgery? A Complete Patient’s Guide to Weight Loss Surgery
Welcome to our expert guide on bariatric surgery. If you are exploring options for long-term, effective weight loss surgery, you have likely come across this term. It is a significant decision, and understanding the facts is the most important first step. This page is designed to be a clear, simple, and educational resource to answer your questions: What is it? How does it work? And who is it for?
Making a decision about your health can be overwhelming, but you are not alone. Our expert team is here to help you understand your options, and we are committed to providing personalized surgical solutions built on a foundation of safety, expertise, and compassionate care.
Free WhatsApp Consultation:
Contact us now! 👉 +90 530 489 94 74
Our patıents
Meet Some of Our Patients Who Underwent Bariatric Surgery
What Is Bariatric Surgery? A Simple Explanation
Bariatric surgery is the medical term for weight loss surgery. It is a group of procedures that help you lose weight by making changes to your digestive system. It is important to know that these surgeries are not just “making the stomach smaller.” They are powerful metabolic procedures that change your body’s chemistry to help you overcome the disease of obesity.
Modern bariatric surgery is almost always performed laparoscopically (also known as “keyhole surgery”). This minimally invasive technique uses 3-5 small incisions, a tiny camera, and long, thin tools. This means less pain, minimal scarring, and a much faster recovery time for you.
These procedures are so effective because they work in two main ways:
- Restriction: The surgery makes your stomach smaller, physically limiting the amount of food you can eat in one sitting. This helps you feel full much more quickly.
- Hormonal/Metabolic: This is the most powerful part. The surgery changes your gut hormones. Specifically, it often involves removing the part of the stomach that produces ghrelin, the “hunger hormone.” With less of this hormone, your constant, nagging hunger is significantly reduced. This is not just about willpower; it is about changing your body’s signals to work *with* you, not against you.
As a surgeon with over two decades of experience, Prof. Dr. Karatepe often explains that bariatric surgery is like resetting your body’s appetite and metabolic system, allowing it to work more efficiently.
What is the main goal of bariatric surgery?
The main goal of bariatric surgery is not just weight loss. The primary goal is to improve your overall health by resolving or dramatically improving serious health conditions related to obesity, such as high blood sugar (type 2 diabetes), high blood pressure, and sleep apnoea.
What Are the Most Common Types of Bariatric Surgery?
When you research bariatric surgery, you will find several different types. While your surgeon will recommend the best procedure for your unique health, the two most common and effective operations performed worldwide are the Sleeve Gastrectomy (Gastric Sleeve) and the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.
1. Sleeve Gastrectomy (The “Gastric Sleeve”)
This is currently the most popular weight loss surgery in the world. During this procedure, the surgeon removes about 75-80% of the stomach, leaving behind a narrow, banana-shaped “sleeve.”
- How it works: It is both restrictive (the sleeve holds less food) and hormonal (it removes the part of the stomach that produces the hunger hormone, ghrelin).
- The “Pros”: It is a simpler, faster operation than a bypass. It does not re-route your intestines, so there is no risk of “dumping syndrome” (a negative reaction to sugar) and a lower risk of long-term nutritional deficiencies. It has outstanding weight loss and health-improvement results.
2. Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)
This procedure, often called the “gold standard” of bariatric surgery, has been performed for decades. The surgeon creates a very small stomach pouch (about the size of an egg) and then attaches this pouch directly to a lower part of the small intestine. This “bypasses” the rest of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine.
- How it works: It is restrictive (the small pouch) and “malabsorptive,” meaning you absorb fewer calories from the food you eat.
- The “Pros” & “Cons”: It is extremely powerful, especially for patients with severe high blood sugar (type 2 diabetes). However, it is a more complex operation and carries a higher risk of nutritional deficiencies and “dumping syndrome.”
What is the most common type of bariatric surgery?
The most common bariatric surgery performed worldwide today is the Sleeve Gastrectomy (or Gastric Sleeve). It has become the most popular choice because it offers excellent weight loss and health improvement with a lower risk of long-term complications compared to other procedures like the gastric bypass.
Free WhatsApp Consultation:
Contact us now! 👉 +90 530 489 94 74
Why Choose Prof. Dr. Oguzhan Karatepe for Your Bariatric Surgery?
With over 25 years of experience, thousands of successful cases, and expertise in robotic and laparoscopic surgery, Prof. Dr. Karatepe is a leading figure in gastric sleeve procedures. When you are choosing a surgeon for your bariatric surgery, experience is the single most important factor for your safety and success.
A “high-volume” surgeon—one who has performed over 3,000 successful surgeries like Prof. Dr. Karatepe—is statistically proven to have lower complication rates, safer procedures, and better patient outcomes. His expertise in advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery means your gastric sleeve is performed using the most modern, minimally invasive techniques available. This translates to real patient benefits:
- Less post-operative pain
- A shorter and more comfortable hospital stay
- Minimal gastric sleeve scars
- A faster gastric sleeve recovery
Furthermore, as a Professor of Surgery with hundreds of academic publications, Prof. Dr. Karatepe is not just a practitioner; he is an academic authority who is at the forefront of the latest, safest techniques. This is why patients from around the world who are researching the “best bariatric surgeon in Turkey” choose our clinic. Our expert team is here to help you, and we are proud to provide personalized surgical solutions at a world-class standard.
How to choose the right bariatric surgeon?
Bariatric surgery is performed by a bariatric surgeon, who is a general surgeon with specialized fellowship training in weight loss procedures. When choosing, you must look for extensive experience (1,000+ surgeries), board certification, and a surgeon who operates in an accredited (e.g., JCI) hospital.
Free WhatsApp Consultation:
Contact us now! 👉 +90 530 489 94 74
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Bariatric Surgery
Q: What is bariatric surgery?
A:Bariatric surgery is the medical term for weight loss surgery. It is a group of procedures, like the gastric sleeve, that help you lose weight by making changes to your digestive system’s size and hormones.
Q: Who qualifies for bariatric surgery?
A: Generally, you are an eligible candidate if you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 to 39.9 with at least one serious obesity-related health condition, such as high blood sugar, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea.
Q: Is bariatric surgery safe?
A: Yes, modern laparoscopic bariatric surgery is extremely safe. When performed by a high-volume, expert surgeon, the risk of serious complications is very low (less than 1-2%). The long-term risks of *not* treating severe obesity are far higher.
Q: How much weight will I lose with bariatric surgery?
A: This depends on the procedure and your commitment. With a gastric sleeve, most patients lose 60% to 70% of their excess body weight within the first 12 to 18 months.
Q: How is bariatric surgery performed?
A: Today, almost all bariatric surgery is performed laparoscopically (minimally invasive “keyhole” surgery). A surgeon uses 3-5 small incisions, a tiny camera, and long tools. This results in a faster recovery and minimal scarring.
Q: What is the gastric sleeve vs. gastric bypass?
A: A gastric sleeve simply reduces the size of the stomach. A gastric bypass creates a small stomach pouch *and* re-routes the small intestine. The sleeve is a simpler procedure with a lower risk of nutritional deficiencies and no “dumping syndrome.”
Q: What is the recovery time for bariatric surgery?
A: The gastric sleeve recovery time is fast. Most patients stay in the hospital for 2-3 nights and can return to a desk job or light activities in 2 to 4 weeks.
Q: Is bariatric surgery reversible?
A: This depends on the type. The gastric sleeve is irreversible because the majority of the stomach is permanently removed. A gastric bypass is technically reversible, but it is a very complex and high-risk operation to do so.
Q: What are the health benefits of bariatric surgery?
A: The health benefits are the main goal. Bariatric surgery is a powerful treatment that can lead to the remission or dramatic improvement of high blood sugar (type 2 diabetes), high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, high cholesterol, and severe joint pain.
Q: Will I have loose skin after bariatric surgery?
A: Loose skin is a very common side effect of *massive weight loss* (from any method), not a side effect of the surgery itself. The amount of loose skin you have will depend on your age, genetics, and total weight lost.
Q: Do I have to take vitamins for life?
A: Yes. This is a non-negotiable part of your new life. Because you are eating less food, you must take bariatric-specific vitamins every day for the rest of your life to prevent serious nutritional deficiencies.
Q: What is the diet like after bariatric surgery?
A: You will follow a 4-stage post-op diet, starting with clear liquids, then full liquids/purees, then soft foods, and finally, solid foods (around week 7). This phased approach is critical for letting your new stomach heal.
Q: Will I lose my hair after my bariatric surgery?
A: Many patients (about 30-40%) experience temporary hair shedding (telogen effluvium) 3-6 months after surgery. This is a normal response to rapid weight loss and is not permanent. It is minimized by hitting your protein and vitamin goals.
Q: How long does the gastric sleeve surgery take?
A: In the hands of an experienced surgeon like Prof. Dr. Karatepe, the laparoscopic gastric sleeve procedure is very efficient and typically takes about 60 to 90 minutes.
Legal Disclaimer
This information is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For personalized treatment plans, please contact Prof. Dr. Oguzhan Karatepe directly.
Contact Us Today
Our expert team in bariatric surgery is ready to assist you. If you have more questions about weight loss surgery or wish to schedule a consultation, please reach out to us.
Free WhatsApp Consultation:
Contact us now! 👉 +90 530 489 94 74
How can I book an appointment?
You can contact us directly via phone, WhatsApp, or by filling out the online contact form on our website. Our dedicated patient coordinators will be happy to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.