When a person has +100 kg above normal, they also have 100 problems. Obese people suffer not only from the overweight but from related diseases and mobility limitations as well. And because of the slim and nice-looking body cult, obese people feel awkward and insecure.
Almost 2 billion adults aged 18+ over the world are overweight or obese according to WHO statistics. This number is even higher than the whole population of China, the most populated country in the world.
In this country, we offer you the most effective option for weight loss at the affordable prices — gastric sleeve surgery. Keep reading and learn all relevant info on this procedure and its price you really need to know.
This article tells about:
What is VSG and its benefits?
2 mln obese people worldwide undergo the surgery each year as the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery reports and start living a healthy life. The method is called sleeve gastrectomy.
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) is one of the most effective and widespread types of weight loss surgery. VSG is based on the process of stomach size reduction. VSG is also known as the gastric sleeve or stomach sleeve surgery.
As a result, people eat a small amount of food in one sitting, because they cannot eat any more. This leads to slimming down quickly and safely.
85% of the stomach is removed during the sleeve gastrectomy to reduce the organ size and amount of food eaten in one sitting.
The sleeve gastrectomy should not be confused with the gastric bypass — these are both weight loss surgeries but work on the different principles. The gastric sleeve cost is lower than the price of bypass surgery.
Benefits of the gastric sleeve:
- A patient loses 65-70% of excess weight.
- 90% of diabetic patients notice the decreasing of blood sugar level after the surgery.
- The gastric sleeve procedure takes only 1 hour.
- In-hospital stay is short and lasts 2-4 days.
What is the difference between gastric bypass and gastric sleeve?
Weight loss method | Duration of the surgery | Duration of in-hospital stay | Weight loss in 1 year | Common complications or side effects | Duration of recovery period | Cost |
1.5 hour | 2 nights | 60-70% | 0,5% of leaks | 2-4 weeks | from $5,000 | |
2 hours | 2-3 nights | 60-80% | 5% of leaks | 2-4 weeks | from $5,600 |
Preparation. What to expect?
The gastric sleeve significantly reduces weight and improves the patient's health, but this is not a solution for all health problems.
The stomach sleeve gastrectomy is a way to achieve the goal (weight reduction), but its retention depends on your motivation, self-discipline and a desire to cooperate with a doctor.
The effectiveness of the operation is impossible to predict. On average, patients lose about 2/3 of their excess fat, however, this index may varies in different patients. Some patients reach the maximum expected weight loss by the end of the first year and some of them stabilize their weight only after two years after the surgery.
You may calculate the possible reduction of excess weight. It is necessary to know the ideal weight of the patient, which is based on body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2, and their height — (height in m × height in m) × BMI of 25 kg/m2.
Imagine that the patient's weight is 130 kg and height is 1.68 m. In this case the ideal weight with a body mass index of 25 kg/m2 is 70 kg. Overweight in this patient is 60 kg (130 kg - 70 kg). On average, during the operation this patient may lose 2/3 or 40 kg. Thus, the estimated weight of the same patient 2 years after the operation may reach 90 kg.
Top 5 places for gastric sleeve abroad
Bookimed (international platform for matching the best treatment options worldwide) helps obese people to find the most appropriate bariatric way out for them. Most of our patients choose gastric sleeve because of its safety and great outcome.
60% of people choose gastric sleeve as an effective and safe method in contrast to other weight loss methods. 9 out of 10 surgeries are performed without complications and help a person lose more than half of the excess fat. Changes occur gradually, but the first result is visible two weeks after the operation.
Gastric sleeve aims to help people with high BMI (body mass index) to get rid of excess fat by way of stomach reduction. As a result, people eat a small amount of food in one sitting that leads to slimming down quickly and safely.
According to the Bookimed data, among the primary destinations for this type of bariatric operation are:
Sleeve gastrectomy in Germany
Gastric surgery cost in Germany starts from €12,700 (about $14,500)
The ratio between the sleeve surgery cost and quality of its performing is provided in German medical facilities. It's interesting to know that Germany has the highest surgery rate in the world, according to the Bariatric Times journal. Doctors carry out over 8,000 procedures per year.
As a result, German specialists have vast experience that increases the success rate of the surgery — over 90%. You may slim down significantly and avoid complications.
The sleeve gastrectomy cost in Germany is 2 times higher than in some other countries (for example, Latvia, India, or the UAE). Nevertheless, high success rates and highly-skilled bariatric doctors are the most common reasons why thousands of international patients choose Germany ignoring higher gastric sleeve cost.
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Metabolic specialists of Sachsenhausen Surgery Clinic perform one of the most effective gastric sleeve procedures in Europe. Patients with morbid obesity and related problems (diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure) undergo sleeve gastrectomy here.
90% of sleeve gastrectomies are performed applying a low traumatic method. Bariatric specialists prefer the laparoscopic technique. The technique is minimally invasive, reduces risks of complications and infections after the procedure.
| Gastric sleeve surgery (Sleeve gastrectomy) | $0 - $16668.23 |
Stomach gastrectomy in Turkey
Gastric sleeve cost in Turkey — from €7,570 (app. $8,600)
Turkey is the most frequently chosen country for sleeve gastrectomy according to Bookimed patient reviews. The country has become popular due to the affordable sleeve gastrectomy cost and absence of waiting lists.
Due to its convenient location, Turkey is a desirable direction for patients from European and Asian countries. Besides, the gastric sleeve surgery prices here are approximately 50% lower than Germany or Israel.
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Memorial Şişli Hospital in Istanbul is one of the world's leading medical centers, accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI) and offering a wide range of medical services, including oncology, bone marrow transplant, in vitro fertilization (IVF), neurosurgery, and organ transplant with a 90% success rate. It is the destination of choice for 92 countries annually. The clinic has Professor Halil Coskun of the Cleveland Clinic Institute of Obesity and Metabolic Surgery and Cornell Medical School, who has over 4000 surgeries performed, offering Sleeve gastrectomy in Turkey. The offer includes Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, consultations with a bariatric surgeon, nutritionist, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, post-op medications, follow-up examination, preoperative tests, regular transfer, transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport, and 4* hotel for 3 days stay in the hospital and 5 days stay in the hotel.
| Gastric sleeve surgery (Sleeve gastrectomy) | $3750 |
Cost-effective gastric sleeve in the UAE
Bariatric sleeve cost in the United Arab Emirates — starting $8,900.
Usually, patients choose countries popular with those patients who have already got this operation. Among such traditional destinations are Germany, India, Thailand, and Turkey. Nevertheless, in recent years, the United Arab Emirates have gained popularity in health care, especially in performing sleeve gastrectomy.
But often, patients refuse to the Emirates because of the prejudice that this destination is costly and will not afford them. However, the UAE offers 40% lower gastric sleeve surgery price than Germany because of local law, which regulates prices for both local and international patients.
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Zulekha Hospital Dubai is a private multidisciplinary medical facility that is a part of Zulekha Healthcare Group. The Hospital specializes in cardiology and heart surgery, minimally invasive surgery, orthopedics, gynecology, and childbirth.
JCI certificate and Dubai Quality Award prove the high quality of medical services of the Hospital.
International patients from Germany, India, Pakistan, and Nigeria choose this Clinic.
India — cheapest gastric sleeve in Asia
Cost of gastric sleeve surgery without insurance in India — from $7,500
Among all Asian countries, India is the cheapest one. The general price policy in the country is determined by the living wage and local citizens' income.
The gastric sleeve cost in India is 3-4 times lower than in the USA, UK, or Western European states as Germany or Spain. You may cut down your expenses by 80% here.
Materials and medications of Indian production may help you to save even more money. Indians manufacture generics — top-quality similitudes of international drugs. They are cheaper but equally effective.
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Apollo Clinic is among top medical facilities for gastric sleeve surgery in India. The surgery is performed at Apollo Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Center of Excellence. A patient loses 70-80% of the excess fat after the operation.
Surgeons carry out sleeve gastrectomy robotically and laparoscopically. These operative methods make gastric sleeve less traumatic. The procedure lasts 1 hour. In-hospital stay after the operation is 2-4 days.
| Gastric sleeve surgery (Sleeve gastrectomy) | $7500 - $10400 |
Latvia — lowest gastric sleeve surgery cost in Europe
Stomach sleeve surgery price in Latvia — starting $6,250
For those people who have a burning desire to get rid of excess fat but have a limited budget as well, Bookimed managers have found the excellent place offering the lowest gastric sleeve cost in Europe — Latvia.
The Eastern European states (Latvia, Poland, etc.) provide the cheapest gastric sleeve in Europe — the price here is 3-4 times lower than in the Western countries like Germany, Italy, or Spain. The local living wage determines such an affordable vertical sleeve gastrectomy cost in these states.
Latvian clinics offer the lowest price for this method of weight loss among other countries with a reasonable stomach sleeve cost. However, Latvia is an unfavorable destination for some medical tourists because of the prices for air tickets. Check how much the flight to Latvia cost from your native country before the trip arrangement.
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Sigulda Hospitals is one of the best places for gastric sleeve abroad. The surgery is conducted by metabolic specialists of the Bariatrics and Gastroenterology Department.
The success rate of sleeve gastrectomy in the Department is 100%. A patient loses 77% of excess fat in 1 year after the procedure. 98% of surgeries undergo without complications.
A surgeon carries out sleeve gastrectomy for 1 hour. A patient stays in the Hospital for 2-4 days.
Package sleeve weight loss surgery cost in Thailand
Vertical gastric sleeve surgery cost in Thailand — upon request
Some countries implement special programs and packages for their patients that help cut down extra charges by several times. Gastric sleeve packages vary in different clinics, but usually, they include the surgery, necessary materials, and accommodation.
The most affordable gastric sleeve packages are available in Thailand. You may save up to 75% getting the surgery in one of the Thai hospitals.
Thailand is also a popular destination with medical travelers due to the possibility to combine treatment and vacation. Thai centers look like 5-star resorts that make this country one of the best places for therapeutic relaxation.
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Bumrungrad International Hospital is one of the best hospitals for performing gastric sleeve in Thailand. The procedure is carried out at the Surgical Center.
70-80% is expected weight loss after gastric sleeve in the Clinic. Sleeve gastrectomy in Thailand lasts 1 hour. A patient stays in the Hospital for 2-4 days.
Surgeons of the Center carry out sleeve gastrectomy applying laparoscopic method. The technique is low traumatic. It reduces the risk of complications after the surgery and speeds up the healing process.
Gastric sleeve price comparison
Gastric sleeve cost in countries worldwide | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latvia | Poland | India | Turkey | UAE | Germany |
| $6,250 | $7,400 | $7,500 | $8,600 | $8,900 | $14,500 |
The prices in the table are approximate. They may change because of the currency exchange and your individual preferences.
Germany, Poland, and Latvia usually represent the prices in euro. We've converted the sleeve gastrectomy costs to the dollar to make the comparison easier and faster.
Bookimed managers have identified the most cost-effective medical centers for sleeve gastrectomy. The ranking is based on the Bookimed patients' reviews and success rate of the surgery.
Get an individual gastric sleeve cost
How to get surgery without insurance
The minimal cost of gastric sleeve surgery without insurance starts from $4,750 and may reach almost $15,000. If you want to get a personalized cost estimate, please:
- Submit a request on the Bookimed website
- Ask our manager any questions regarding the procedure
- Consider clinics' proposals and sleeve gastrectomy cost
- Match a medical facility
- Receive your personal medical program
- Let Bookimed manager help you with trip arrangement
- Go for gastric sleeve and lose overweight effectively.
What you should know when asking about gastric sleeve cost
When medical tourists request Bookimed looking for the surgery abroad, the first thing they ask is how much is the gastric sleeve without insurance. Most of them wary of the prohibitive cost.
The starting gastric sleeve surgery cost is $5,000 — the average price of 1 trip to Maldives from the States.
So shouldn't you try to sacrifice only 1 annual vacation for the health and beauty of your body? And besides, think about how you will look on the same Maldives on your next vacation.
What does gastric sleeve surgery cost include?
Basic gastric sleeve cost | Additional stomach sleeve cost |
The gastric sleeve cost usually includes:
Some hospitals include transfer from/to an airport into the bariatric sleeve surgery cost. | In-hotel stay and meals are usually not included into the sleeve surgery cost. Thai, Turkish, or Indian hospitals offer to combine your treatment with vacation. Spa procedures and travelling are paid separately and increase the gastric sleeve cost dramatically. |
What does the price depend on?
These 3 factors mainly affect the bariatric sleeve surgery cost:
Clinic’s location (country and city). The gastric sleeve cost is different in each country and even city worldwide. It is caused by the local citizens’ income and average price policy within the country or city. Definitely, the sleeve gastrectomy cost differs in the capitals, megapolices or small towns. Hospital’s reputation. The medical facility, where doctors have achieved high results in performing sleeve gastrectomies, boost the vertical sleeve gastrectomy cost. You pay more money, but receive chances for better results. Surgeon’s qualification. Specialists with vast experience and high success rates require more money for their work. In order to avoid cheating and paying great deal of the bariatric sleeve cost, watch surgeons’ portfolio with before/after photos.
How to save on sleeve weight loss?
If you want to save your money, choose the countries with lower price policy. Medical facilities in Turkey, India, Thailand, or Eastern European countries offer lower gastric sleeve surgery prices in comparison with the USA, Australia, or Western European countries. It is explained by the average price policy within countries and local citizens’ income.
Save up to 50% of the stomach sleeve surgery cost choosing Turkey. Or get the real economy up to 80% choosing India or Thailand.
You may find a reasonable gastric sleeve operation cost in each part of the world. However, when choosing a clinic, too little people think about the expenses for the flight and accommodation in the selected country.
Bookimed managers have analyzed the sleeve gastrectomy prices over the world and have chosen the cheapest of them according to such criteria:
- pricing within the country for accommodation and meals
- gastric surgery cost itself.
Why is the gastric sleeve surgery cost cheap in some countries?
The gastric sleeve cost ranges from country to country in accordance with the economy level and local citizens' income in the chosen state. These factors depend on the economic indicators and do not affect the quality or safety of the procedure.
Regardless of the vertical gastric sleeve cost in different countries, the procedure is carried out according to the same medical protocols.
The total wage of medical specialists varies in different regions according to the average minimum standard of living within a country. For example, in Asian countries (India or Thailand) doctors receive lower fee than in European ones (Germany or Spain). That's why the stomach sleeve cost is also lower.
Some clinics provide promotions and allowance that make bariatric sleeve surgery cost even more lower. Such programs are particularly advantageous for international patients. However, they are limited in time. You should specify information about discounts before your trip arrangement.
What factors may increase the sleeve weight loss surgery cost?
Except the factors reducing the bariatric sleeve cost, there are those increasing it. Each international patient faces them anyway. Among them are:
- Airline tickets. Your travel expenses depend on the distance between your native country and the state where you are going to have sleeve gastrectomy. For example, the lowest fare from the USA (Los Angeles) to Thailand (Bangkok) starts from $875 according to American Airlines Inc. The flight from the US (Los Angeles) to Germany (Frankfurt am Main) starts from $3,130. Check the cost of flight from your native city to the chosen clinic before the travel.
- Accommodation. You should also be ready to pay extra charges for a hotel room or apartments during your stay in a country. Usually, clinics cooperate with nearby hotels and offer their patients discounts for accommodation.
Bookimed team may help you with booking tickets and searching for the best hotel near a medical center. Submit a request and our manager will contact you to assist in solving arranging issues. This option is free.
Useful information on the stomach sleeve pricing
The gastric sleeve surgery price varies in different countries. The main reasons for this are the economic development and the living standards of the nations. But the management quality and patients’ safety are on the same level.
- The gastric sleeve cost without insurance in Asian countries (India, Thailand) is 3-4 times lower than in the Middle Eastern or European ones.
- The bariatric sleeve surgery cost varies in Europe. The countries of Eastern Europe offer more affordable prices for the surgery in comparison with Western European states.
- Israel and Turkey are both the Middle Eastern countries. But the vertical sleeve gastrectomy cost in these states is different. The price for the procedure in Turkey is 2-3 times lower than in Israel.
Gastric surgery cost — summary to keep with you
- The lowest stomach sleeve surgery cost starts from $5,000. This is a minimal price available in Lithuania.
- Surgical method does not affect the price.
- You may save more money if benefit from clinic promotions and discounts.
- Airline tickets and accommodation may boost your expenses.
- Living wage and doctor's fee in a particular country affect the gastric sleeve cost without insurance in different ways. In Asian countries this aspects cut down the price, but in some European states (Germany or Spain) they increase payments.
Get an individual gastric sleeve cost
Gastric sleeve outcome
The sleeve gastrectomy significantly increases the chances to lose weight successfully. Patients lose 33-83% of their weight.
Many diseases associated with obesity, such as sleep apnea, diabetes type 2, joint disease, hypertension or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are relieved or cured after the surgery.
People get rid of more than half of excess weight for good and overcome some related diseases as well. 9 out of 10 people have to fight diabetes 2 out.
If you have obesity-related diseases, the gastric surgery cost in this case will be higher.
What are long term effects of gastric sleeve? Gastric sleeve surgery before and after
You may watch surgeon’s portfolio and before/after photos before choosing a hospital. It does not affect the average cost of gastric sleeve surgery.
Skin change before & after
If you have undergone a massive weight loss, you may face a sagging skin. However, surgeons offer plastic operations to remove any excess fat and skin and achieve well-proportioned body.
Among the most common plastic procedures performed after the gastric sleeve are body and arm lift surgeries.
Key recommendations to follow before the surgery
❗️ How to understand that you need the sleeve gastrectomy?
Calculate your BMI (body mass index). If your BMI is over 35 kg/m2 and you are not able to reduce your weight sufficiently and keep it, you may use the gastric sleeve as a primary treatment method.
You may also choose VSG to treat obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes 2, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level in blood, abnormal snoring or obstructive apnea during sleep, joint disease, myocardial infarction, and polycystic ovary syndrome.
❗️ When you have understood you need the operation, consult a bariatric doctor.
Discuss pros and cons of the gastric sleeve in your particular case. Try to keep from unrealistic expectations regarding to the results of the operation. Set yourself realistic goals.
❗️ Keep a diet and stop smoking.
Keep your preoperative diet that aims to reduce your body mass index and risks of complications associated with the intervention. You also should give up smoking at least six weeks before the surgery.
❗️ Things you have to take in a hospital.
Take a personal identity document, hygiene supplies, change clothing, indoor shoes, anti-thrombotic compression stockings, the mask (if you have apnea during sleep), and something for your leisure activity (books, magazines, IPad, etc.).
Gastric sleeve risks
VSG is not considered to be a major surgery but it's still an intervention so some complications may occur. Among them are:
- staple line leaks
- bleeding
- stenosis
- sagging skin from rapid weight loss
- hair loss.
In some cases, patients face dumping syndrome (movement of the food and sugar from the stomach to small bowel too quickly) and gallstone disease.
95% of the stomach sleeve gastrectomies do not cause any complications. Serious complication rate is less than one percent (0.96%) according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery data.
Sleeve gastrectomy step-by-step
Surgeons perform the gastric sleeve surgery applying laparoscopic method (keyhole technique). The operation lasts 1 hour.
Recovery period
You stay in the hospital for 2-4 days, then come back home.
1-2 weeks after the sleeve stomach reduction, you can eat only liquid or frayed food. Doctors offer an individual nutrition plan and this service does not affect the gastric sleeve cost.
In a few weeks after the operation, you can eat any food according to own preference and tolerance, but the daily ration is divided into 5-7 small portions.
You should change your lifestyle fundamentally to reduce weight quickly, maintain achievements and progress. The sleeve resection is only a stage of obesity treatment, but very effective one.
Frequently asked questions on gastric sleeve
Is the sleeve effective for weight loss? What is gastric sleeve success rate?
The gastric sleeve is recognized as one of the most effective slimming down procedures. 60% of people who are ready to undergo bariatric surgery choose sleeve method as the most appropriate.
According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery reports, the success rate of the sleeve gastrectomy is almost 100%.
In 9 out of 10 cases there are no complications after the operation.
What is the average weight loss after gastric sleeve? Is gastric sleeve reversible?
After the stomach sleeve, you can lose up to 70% of overweight. However, this index in kilograms is different in each particular case. So if you want to know the approximate weight loss rate after the surgery in your case, you can calculate it with the formula or consult a specialist.
During this type of bariatric surgery, a surgeon cuts off a bigger part of the stomach. That's why the gastric sleeve operation is not reversible.
Am I a good gastric sleeve candidate?
You may choose the gastric sleeve for weight loss only if:
- Your BMI (body mass index) is ≥ 40 kg/m2
- Your BMI is 35-40 kg/m2 with serious weight-related disease (f.e. diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and others)
- Your BMI is 30-35 and you have uncontrollable diabetes type 2 or metabolic syndrome.
Should I keep a gastric sleeve diet after the surgery?
Proper postoperative diet will help you avoid complications and increase weight loss. You should change your eating and drinking habits. It is very important what, when and how much you eat.
After VSG, you should keep 6 basic principles:
- food should be healthy
- eat protein-rich foods
- keep your blood sugar level stable
- drink enough water
- stop snacking
- reduce sweets.
When pregnancy is possible after gastric sleeve?
If you are planning a pregnancy, set it aside for at least 18 months after the surgery. During this time, the body weight decreases and pregnancy gives a lot of pressure on the body.
After VSG, pregnancy is safer for both mother and baby than before. Inform the midwife what type of surgery was performed and whether there were any complications after the surgery.
How is gastric sleeve procedure performed?
Step 1. A surgeon administers general anesthesia.
Step 2. A surgeon makes small incisions in the abdomen.
Step 3. Most of the stomach is removed. It remains only a narrow tube with a diameter of 2-3 cm (a gastric sleeve) with a volume of 80-120 milliliters.
Step 4. A laparoscope (surgical instrument with a small camera) is inserted into the abdominal cavity and fills it with gas (most often with carbon dioxide) to provide better accessibility and visibility of the internal organs.
Step 5. A surgeon operates through the bulging part of the stomach (large curvature of the organ) with a special stapler. It separates the stomach lower part and closes the gastric sleeve. This eliminates the need for manual sewing.
Step 6. The separated part of the stomach is pulled from the abdominal cavity through one of the incisions.
Step 7. A staining agent is introduced into the stomach through the gastric tube to check how tightly the sleeve is sewn. If the liquid does not leak, the operation can be completed.
Can I gain weight again after gastric sleeve?
The risk of weight gain will grow throughout your life. 80% of patients begin to slowly increase their weight, but most of them maintain a significant (more than half) level of weight loss.
People usually gain the excess fat because do not follow doctor's recommendations and ignore a healthy lifestyle.
Does the sleeve gastrectomy reduce the lifespan?
Some studies have found that the life span in people with BMI over 60 is reduced after bariatric procedures. But it is considered that the main reason for this is morbid obesity and related diseases during a long period before the surgery.
The lifespan for people with lower BMI after the operation will not change. Conversely, morbid obesity is a greater danger for people’s life than the gastric sleeve.