Bariatric Surgeries

Over the past few decades, obesity has transitioned from being a health concern to a full-blown epidemic, affecting billions of people worldwide. The consequences are far-reaching, encompassing not only the immediate health effects but also the broader implications for quality of life, healthcare expenditures, and societal well-being. It is no longer a challenge confined to a specific age group, as it affects children, adolescents, and adults alike.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity has nearly tripled since 1975 and almost 2 billion adults are overweight of those over 650 million are obese. Therefore, the WHO called for immediate action by introducing in 2011 “WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health” calling all participant nations to make a national-level strategy to improve the diet and physical activity patterns of their citizens. 

The BIM (Body Mass Index) index is a numerical value calculated from a person’s height and weight. It is used as a simple and quick method to categorize individuals into different weight categories, such as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. In the BMI classification system, individuals falling into the “Overweight” category have a BMI ranging from 25 to 29.9. Moving beyond this, those classified as “Obese” have a BMI of 30 or higher, and this condition is associated with a higher level of excess body weight.

A patient who decides to consult a professional should keep in mind that obesity is a complex condition that goes beyond simple overeating. Patients dealing with obesity typically have a multifaceted condition influenced by genetics, metabolism, hormones, psychosocial factors, and even potential disruptions in the central nervous system. What’s particularly challenging is that the underlying causes of this condition are not well understood and can vary from person to person, complicating traditional treatment approaches, which often yield limited success. There are various methods to achieve weight loss, including dietary changes, exercise, medications, and bariatric surgery. Among these, bariatric surgery has been demonstrated in numerous studies to be the most effective long-term solution for weight reduction, leading to improvements or even the complete resolution of associated health issues.

Parallel to the introduction of techniques that are more effective and have less risk of complication, more and more people are resorting to bariatric surgery. The number of bariatric operations has increased from less than 10,000 operations in 1998 to nearly 200,000 operations per year and the number is still increasing each year.

Why Bariatric Surgery in Turkey?

Turkey has become a popular destination for bariatric surgery for several reasons, making it a favorable choice for many individuals seeking weight loss procedures. Especially Istanbul become the center for health tourism. 70 percent of people coming to Turkey for bariatric surgery choose to have their operation in Istanbul.

High-Quality Healthcare Facilities: Turkey has invested significantly in its healthcare infrastructure, with many modern and well-equipped hospitals and clinics. Many of these facilities are accredited and staffed by highly trained medical professionals.

Experienced Surgeons: Turkey has a pool of experienced bariatric surgeons who have performed a substantial number of weight loss surgeries. Many of them have received training and certifications from reputable international organizations. While the Average professor in Turkey is likely to perform more than 3000 surgeries in most European countries this number is less than 1000.

Cost-Effective: One of the most significant advantages of undergoing bariatric surgery in Turkey is the cost. The overall cost of bariatric surgery in Turkey is often significantly lower than in Western countries, including the United States and parts of Europe. This cost-effectiveness extends to not only the surgical procedure but also pre-operative and post-operative care, making it an attractive option for medical tourists.

No Waiting Lists: In many countries with publicly funded healthcare systems, there can be long waiting lists for bariatric surgery through the national health service. In Turkey, private hospitals and clinics often offer more immediate access to surgery, which can be crucial for individuals who want to proceed with their weight loss journey promptly.

Medical Tourism Infrastructure: Turkey has developed a robust medical tourism industry, providing support services such as transportation, accommodation, and translators to international patients. This makes the process more accessible and less stressful for patients traveling from abroad.

Strategic Location: Istanbul’s geographical location bridges Europe and Asia, making it easily accessible from many countries. Its well-connected airports and transportation

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