Gastric Sleeve

Gastric sleeve surgery is an effective, life-changing procedure for long-term weight loss. If you have a BMI over 40 and cannot shift the kilos, a gastric sleeve could be an ideal solution. Save up to 70% on your surgery without compromising on the quality of your health and wellbeing.

Fast facts

  • Procedure Time: 1 hour
  • Type of Anaesthesia: General
  • Hospital and Hotel Stay:
  • Recovery Time: 1 - 2 days
  • Scarring: minimal due to laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery
  • Common Names: gastric band surgery, lap band surgery, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), gastric banding.

About the procedure

Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as a sleeve gastrectomy, is a type of weight loss surgery where 80% of the stomach is removed to make it smaller. It is also known as bariatric surgery.

What does gastric sleeve surgery involve?

The procedure involved the removal of part of the stomach. In this way, a new, small stomach has less capacity for food, meaning you will eat less and the ultimate result is significant weight loss. In the 1960s, when it was pioneered, it was sometimes called ‘getting your stomach stapled’. Now, it’s a relatively common procedure that many people opt for to improve their long-term health and quality of life.  For before and after results, please view our gallery below.

Gastric sleeve surgery vs. gastric bypass surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery was the precursor to gastric bypass surgery. The first gastric sleeve surgery was performed in 1988 and gastric bypass surgery was in 1963. However, since the 2000s gastric bypass has been just as popular as gastric sleeve, possibly even more so.

  • Gastric sleeve – part of the stomach is removed to make the stomach smaller.
  • Gastric bypass –  a small pouch is created at the top of the stomach and connected to your small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach.

Our team can advise you on the most suitable option for you.

Who is an ideal candidate for gastric sleeve surgery?

Anyone who has struggled with their weight and has a BMI (body mass index) of 40 or more is a suitable candidate for gastric sleeve surgery.

Typically, if you are aged between 18 to 65 and are around 45 kilograms (100 pounds) or more above a standard healthy weight, then you may be an ideal candidate.

Pricing for a gastric sleeve

Our prices (including return flights) start from £4,097 or $8,750 (Australian dollars). Please contact us for a personalised quote.

This pricing includes:

  • Private, unshared transfers from the airport to your hotel, and to/from your medical appointment/s at the hospital
  • Hospital and surgical fees
  • Hospital and 4* or 5* hotel stay (this duration varies depending on your procedure. Find out more in ‘Fast Facts’ above)
  • Daily breakfast at your hotel
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner during your hospital stay
  • Comprehensive aftercare during and after your procedure
  • Phone access to UK and Australian registered nurses on your return home.

Please book a free, no-obligation call for a personalised quote.

What are the benefits of gastric sleeve surgery?

The benefits of weight loss with gastric sleeve surgery also have an instrumental effect on your overall physical and mental health.

Diseases, such as diabetes, fatty liver and sleep apnoea, can become more manageable or diminish completely over time. As weight decreases, so does the likelihood of getting cancers, stroke or blood pressure problems. Some clients have reported their previous issues of gout, urinary incontinence and acid reflux have been alleviated with gastric sleeve surgery.

As you will be intaking less food, and therefore less nutrition, you may need to take a vitamin supplement for an extended period of time. It is important to visit your GP for regular check-ups to ensure you are getting sufficient vitamins and minerals.

It’s also important to consider the mental and emotional impacts of gastric sleeve surgery.

Some clients report that being able to buy clothes ‘off the rack’ after years of only going to the plus-size section, reinstates self-confidence and bodily comfort. The reduction in body weight can be maintained by following the surgeon’s instructions and by checking in with your local healthcare providers. Your life will also change in other ways. For example, when you go out to a restaurant for dinner, you won’t be able to eat much as you used to.

Gastric sleeve surgery is not a quick fix and can have some negative mental health outcomes, like depression, anxiety, disturbed eating patterns and body image disturbance. We recommend seeking support from family, friends and healthcare providers to ensure you have sufficient support before, during and after your procedure.

As with any procedure, it’s always important to consider the pros and the cons.

Package available

This procedure is available in the Couples Cosmetic Package package, which includes other procedures commonly performed together.

Gastric Sleeve FAQs

Clients opt for gastric sleeve surgery as they may have tried many methods to lose weight, including diets, appetite suppressants, support groups, food delivery companies and powder and meal bar supplements without success. If you’ve tried many types of weight loss products and methods over the years and have not succeeded, perhaps it’s time to think about a long-term solution like bariatric (weight loss) surgery, such as a gastric sleeve procedure.

Gastric sleeve surgery involves the surgical team using state-of-the-art robotic technology to make 3 to 5 small incisions in the lower abdominal area. The surgeon then removes between 75% to 80% of the stomach. The stomach is then sutured back up into a small tubular, or sleeve shape, with about 200 titanium staples. You will need to stay in the hospital and hotel for a few days and recovery takes around 4 to 6 weeks. Most patients can return to work after 2 weeks.

 Coupled with long-term healthy food and beverage choices, patients can maintain a long-lasting healthy weight and BMI.

Recovery time varies from patient to patient. Generally, you can resume normal activities after a week. Most people go back to work around 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, assuming you have a job that is not physically demanding, e.g., sitting at an office desk. If the work is more strenuous, your surgeon will advise you when you can safely commence a return to work. You may need to have light duties for the first few weeks.

 

For the first 4 weeks, you will need to stick to a liquified or pureed food diet but should be able to eat more solid food at around 6 weeks post-surgery.

Around 6 weeks after surgery is when you should feel well recovered.

 

Risks and complications are possible in any surgery.

The risks of a sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve) include leaks at the staple line or bleeding. However, less than 1% of patients experience these complications.

There is also a risk of bleeding (also less than 1% risk), infection, blood clots, reaction to anaesthesia, reflux, hernias and malnutrition. Your surgeon will discuss potential complications with you and, like with any surgery, you should ensure you are fully informed before deciding to undertake the procedure.

Pain always depends on your individual threshold and if any pain is experienced from this procedure,  it is likely to be from the incision sites. Some clients report no pain, while some report moderate pain.

Your surgeon and medical team will monitor your pain levels and make sure you have pain medication to alleviate any discomfort you might experience.

Asthetica goes above and beyond other medical tourism providers, as we provide an extra level of care and reassurance. On your return home, you will have phone access to UK or Australian registered nurses so you have the peace of mind of local, medical support if and when you need it.

For gastric sleeve cost UK, you are looking at £7,995 to £11,000.

Gastric sleeve cost in Australia depends on whether you are going public (Medicare) or private.

  • With private insurance - gastric sleeve cost in Australia is around $4,000 to $6,000.
  • Without private insurance - gastric sleeve cost in Australia is around $16,000 to $18,000 (not including Medicare rebates).

However, we can package your sleeve gastrectomy procedure and save you up to 70% on the cost compared to the UK and Australia.

We have spent years sourcing the very best surgeons in this field - all are extensively experienced and board-certified.

In our packages, you can enjoy a luxury holiday experience in Turkey before your procedure and have a restful, relaxing recovery in 5* accommodation, away from the hustle and bustle of home.

Our packages include return flights, 5* accommodation, all hospital and surgery fees, and a comprehensive aftercare plan. We also go one step further than other medical tourism companies and offer phone access to Australian and English registered nurses on your return home so you have extra reassurance and localised support should you need it.

More on our pricing and payment plans.

Book a free, no-obligation phone consult today and get a quote!

Your surgeon will provide you with instructions before your surgery.

To prepare for the procedure, you'll need to follow a specific diet for two weeks prior. This strict diet will reduces your calorie intake as well as carbohydrates and you will primarily eat lean protein, vegetables, and low- or no-calorie fluids. In addition, you may be required to go on a meal shake replacement diet.

There are two reasons for this:

  1. To shrink your liver so your surgeon has easier access to your stomach
  2. To ensure the best success of surgery

You will be expected to lost around 2 to 6 kilograms prior to your gastric sleeve surgery.

Yes. If you don’t follow the advice of the medical team, gastric sleeve surgery can fail.

Failure can mean not achieving or being able to maintain around 50% of the weight loss over an 18 to 24 month period or a body mass index (BMI) of more than 35.

There are several factors for failure and one of these is the failure of patients being able to adapt to the new lifestyle. With the support of your surgeon, local healthcare providers (e.g. GP) and if necessary, a psychologist or counsellor, the possibility of failure is reduced. It's important you have sufficient support to ensure long-term success.

Gastric sleeve is a very successful method of combatting obesity and the success rate is over 70%. 

Gastric sleeve surgery is a tool for weight loss and not a ‘magic cure’.

However, if you follow your surgeon’s instructions and make healthy food choices you should have good long-term results and be able to maintain a healthy weight.

FAQS

Clients opt for gastric sleeve surgery as they may have tried many methods to lose weight, including diets, appetite suppressants, support groups, food delivery companies and powder and meal bar supplements without success. If you’ve tried many types of weight loss products and methods over the years and have not succeeded, perhaps it’s time to think about a long-term solution like bariatric (weight loss) surgery, such as a gastric sleeve procedure.

Gastric sleeve surgery involves the surgical team using state-of-the-art robotic technology to make 3 to 5 small incisions in the lower abdominal area. The surgeon then removes between 75% to 80% of the stomach. The stomach is then sutured back up into a small tubular, or sleeve shape, with about 200 titanium staples. You will need to stay in the hospital and hotel for a few days and recovery takes around 4 to 6 weeks. Most patients can return to work after 2 weeks.

 Coupled with long-term healthy food and beverage choices, patients can maintain a long-lasting healthy weight and BMI.

Recovery time varies from patient to patient. Generally, you can resume normal activities after a week. Most people go back to work around 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, assuming you have a job that is not physically demanding, e.g., sitting at an office desk. If the work is more strenuous, your surgeon will advise you when you can safely commence a return to work. You may need to have light duties for the first few weeks.

 

For the first 4 weeks, you will need to stick to a liquified or pureed food diet but should be able to eat more solid food at around 6 weeks post-surgery.

Around 6 weeks after surgery is when you should feel well recovered.

 

Risks and complications are possible in any surgery.

The risks of a sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve) include leaks at the staple line or bleeding. However, less than 1% of patients experience these complications.

There is also a risk of bleeding (also less than 1% risk), infection, blood clots, reaction to anaesthesia, reflux, hernias and malnutrition. Your surgeon will discuss potential complications with you and, like with any surgery, you should ensure you are fully informed before deciding to undertake the procedure.

Pain always depends on your individual threshold and if any pain is experienced from this procedure,  it is likely to be from the incision sites. Some clients report no pain, while some report moderate pain.

Your surgeon and medical team will monitor your pain levels and make sure you have pain medication to alleviate any discomfort you might experience.

Asthetica goes above and beyond other medical tourism providers, as we provide an extra level of care and reassurance. On your return home, you will have phone access to UK or Australian registered nurses so you have the peace of mind of local, medical support if and when you need it.

For gastric sleeve cost UK, you are looking at £7,995 to £11,000.

Gastric sleeve cost in Australia depends on whether you are going public (Medicare) or private.

  • With private insurance - gastric sleeve cost in Australia is around $4,000 to $6,000.
  • Without private insurance - gastric sleeve cost in Australia is around $16,000 to $18,000 (not including Medicare rebates).

However, we can package your sleeve gastrectomy procedure and save you up to 70% on the cost compared to the UK and Australia.

We have spent years sourcing the very best surgeons in this field - all are extensively experienced and board-certified.

In our packages, you can enjoy a luxury holiday experience in Turkey before your procedure and have a restful, relaxing recovery in 5* accommodation, away from the hustle and bustle of home.

Our packages include return flights, 5* accommodation, all hospital and surgery fees, and a comprehensive aftercare plan. We also go one step further than other medical tourism companies and offer phone access to Australian and English registered nurses on your return home so you have extra reassurance and localised support should you need it.

More on our pricing and payment plans.

Book a free, no-obligation phone consult today and get a quote!

Your surgeon will provide you with instructions before your surgery.

To prepare for the procedure, you'll need to follow a specific diet for two weeks prior. This strict diet will reduces your calorie intake as well as carbohydrates and you will primarily eat lean protein, vegetables, and low- or no-calorie fluids. In addition, you may be required to go on a meal shake replacement diet.

There are two reasons for this:

  1. To shrink your liver so your surgeon has easier access to your stomach
  2. To ensure the best success of surgery

You will be expected to lost around 2 to 6 kilograms prior to your gastric sleeve surgery.

Yes. If you don’t follow the advice of the medical team, gastric sleeve surgery can fail.

Failure can mean not achieving or being able to maintain around 50% of the weight loss over an 18 to 24 month period or a body mass index (BMI) of more than 35.

There are several factors for failure and one of these is the failure of patients being able to adapt to the new lifestyle. With the support of your surgeon, local healthcare providers (e.g. GP) and if necessary, a psychologist or counsellor, the possibility of failure is reduced. It's important you have sufficient support to ensure long-term success.

Gastric sleeve is a very successful method of combatting obesity and the success rate is over 70%. 

Gastric sleeve surgery is a tool for weight loss and not a ‘magic cure’.

However, if you follow your surgeon’s instructions and make healthy food choices you should have good long-term results and be able to maintain a healthy weight.

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