Gastric sleeve surgery (Sleeve gastrectomy) in Thessaloniki: Best Clinics and Costs 2025

Gastric sleeve or vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a popular weight loss surgery aimed to remove a significant part of the stomach, restrict the food intake, and make the patient eat much less food in one sitting.

This method does not affect the digestive system, so it helps avoid many side effects (lack of minerals and vitamins, etc.) in contrast with other types of bariatric procedures.

Bariatric surgery in Greece is a very effective and fast weight loss method. Most patients lose from 60% to 70% of excess weight in the first years after the operation, reaching the desired weight, a better quality of life and health in general.

Like any other surgical intervention, gastric sleeve resection has some contraindications that include:

• uncontrolled mental disorder, such as depression
• drug or alcohol addiction
• cancer
• cardiovascular disorders
• inability to comply with a diet with minimum nutritional requirements, including lifelong vitamin intake (if indicated).

The surgery is minimally invasive. Bariatric specialists in Greece carry it out laparoscopically (through small incisions). Gastric sleeve is performed under general anesthesia and takes about 1-2 hours. 

During the operation, the surgeon makes 3-4 small incisions on the anterior abdominal wall, and injects carbon dioxide into the abdominal cavity. Then the doctor immerses the endoscope and surgical instruments into the incisions. The intervention is displayed on the monitor, so the specialist controls all the movements and processes as a whole. During the sleeve gastrectomy {inCountry}, the bariatric surgeon removes 89% of the stomach.

After the stomach sleeve resection, the patient can face some complications:

• inflammation of the peritoneum (peritonitis) 
• bleeding 
• deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities
• pneumonia 
• abdominal abscesses
• wound infections 
• swallowing difficulty 
• stretching of the stomach and weight gain
• heartburn 
• gallstones 
• constipation 
• diarrhea. 
• excess skin 
• hair loss 
• dumping syndrome.

To avoid complications, you should follow all doctor’s recommendations.

After the stomach sleeve resection in Greece, the patient stays in a hospital. The hospitalization lasts 2-3 days. In the first few days, the specialists prescribe a bed regimen and parenteral nutrition (the food is administered through tubing attached to a needle or catheter). 

Gradually, the patient will be able to take semi-liquid food. In the future, the patient should keep a balanced diet and strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations.

In general, rehabilitation takes about 2 months. During this period, the patient must wear a special bandage, limit physical activity, and take vitamin and mineral supplements to avoid complications.

• reduces the amount of food intake
• effective for people with severe obesity
• does not spoil the digestion
• does not change the intestine
• does not lead to a mineral or vitamin deficiency
• less commonly leads to dumping syndrome
• no further intervention (filling, adjustment) required 
• fewer risks of complications and metabolic disorders development
• foreign body implantation in the stomach (balloon, bandage) is not required.

• weight loss is not so significant as after gastric bypass surgery
• requires some diet restrictions
• as any other operation can cause some complications
• the stomach may stretch over time
• the operation is irreversible.

If you think about this bariatric technique, you must:

• have a body mass index (BMI) 40+ kg/m2 
• have BMI 30+ kg/m2 with related serious disorders (diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, high cholesterol level, etc.)
• have an acceptable risk for the operation
• be well informed and motivated
• unsuccessfully try all reasonable non-surgical methods of losing weight.

Stomach sleeve resection is performed strictly for medical reasons. Only a specialist can confirm the diagnosis and make sure that other treatment methods are ineffective. 

During preoperative preparation, the patient needs to undergo a comprehensive body examination that includes:

• gastroscopy
• abdominal ultrasound
• electrocardiogram (ECG)
• chest X-ray
• blood tests
• general urine analysis
• coagulogram (blood clotting test).

The vertical sleeve gastrectomy is performed strictly on an empty stomach. The day before, gastric lavage (stomach pumping) is required.

Submit a request on the Bookimed website. Our Medical Doctor will contact you and give information on:

• world’s medical centers for sleeve stomach reduction
• cost-related information
• top bariatricians
• documents needed.
• You will choose the best hospital and receive a treatment program in 3 days. The exact price will be calculated individually in your particular case and included in the program.

Bookimed is an independent medical service. We do not represent the interests of specific hospitals. The service is free for patients. Bookimed management is paid for partner medical centers.