San Donato Hospital
Gastric sleeve surgery (Sleeve gastrectomy) in Italy typically costs from $12,500 to $20,000. The final price depends on the surgical technique, the clinic's reputation in cities like Milan or Rome, and hospital stay duration. In the US, similar procedures cost around $22,000 on average. Italy offers savings of approximately 26%. This generally includes the laparoscopic procedure, specialized anesthesia, and inpatient hospitalization.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Choosing a Research Hospital (IRCCS) provides elite care at a predictable price point. For instance, IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi - Sant'Ambrogio in Milan offers specialized packages around $20,600. This includes an IFSO-certified surgeon with over 9,000 operations. While clinics like San Donato offer more accessible entry prices, selecting JCI-accredited centers like Maria Cecilia Hospital ensures international safety standards.
| Italy | Turkey | The USA | |
| Gastric sleeve surgery (Sleeve gastrectomy) | from $12,500 | from $3,200 | from $18,000 |
| Da Vinci Gastric Sleeve Surgery | from $15,000 | from $7,625 | from $24,000 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Gastric sleeve surgery (Sleeve gastrectomy) upon arrival and use a flexible installment plan if needed.
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Over 500 successful Nissen and Toupet Fundoplication procedures – Dr. Braun specializes in minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques for GERD.
Specializes in sleeve gastrectomy and other bariatric procedures at Maria Cecilia Hospital – skilled in minimally invasive techniques for obesity management.
The doctor is a distinguished general surgeon with a specialization in Oncology and General Surgery, boasting 35 years of experience. The primary focus is on minimally invasive colorectal surgeries, proctological, and pelvic floor surgery. An active researcher and prolific author, the doctor participates in numerous healthcare projects related to colorectal cancer surgeries.
Graduating with distinction in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Rome 'La Sapienza', the doctor further specialized in General Surgery and Colorectal Surgery at prestigious institutions.
Dr. Alessandro Giovanelli is a bariatric surgeon with 39 years of experience. He specializes in obesity and general surgery. He has performed over 9,000 open general surgical operations. His expertise includes complex procedures such as gastric sleeve resection, gastric bypass, and gastric banding. He often uses advanced video-assisted and robotic techniques.
Dr. Giovanelli has published 70 articles in international medical journals. He is dedicated to research and education in bariatric and metabolic surgery. He is a member of SICOB and IFSO. He also holds advanced certifications in laparoscopic and robotic surgery from universities in Italy, Belgium, and the USA.
Written by Anna Leonova
Written by Vira Stagnik
Written by Anna Leonova
Gastric sleeve surgery in Italy is safe and performed by highly skilled surgeons adhering to rigorous European Union medical standards. Facilities in Milan, Rome, and Bologna hold Joint Commission International (JCI) and IRCCS accreditations, utilizing minimally invasive laparoscopic and Da Vinci robotic systems for superior patient safety.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While Italy is famous for cardiology, its bariatric sector is equally concentrated. Data shows that clinics like San Donato and IRCCS Galeazzi in Milan manage nearly 10,000 cases annually. This high volume directly correlates with lower complication rates, as surgeons maintain peak proficiency in laparoscopic techniques.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the importance of verifying surgeon credentials through Italian medical boards and international bariatric organizations. Many recommend arranging remote monitoring with a local doctor to manage your post-operative care once you return home.
Patients typically lose 60% to 70% of excess body weight within 12 to 18 months after a sleeve gastrectomy. This permanent surgical reduction of the stomach capacity leads to rapid initial results. Long-term success requires lifelong dietary changes to prevent the remaining stomach tissue from stretching.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian bariatric centers often favor a multidisciplinary approach involving specialized research institutes. For example, Maria Cecilia Hospital utilize surgeons with experience in over 12,000 procedures. This high volume often correlates with better long-term gastric volume management. Patients should prioritize clinics with Italian Society of Obesity Surgery (SICOB) members to ensure standardized follow-up care.
Patient Consensus: Many patients report losing 60–100 lbs within two years but emphasize that women may lose faster initially. Consistent protein intake and avoiding carbonated drinks are crucial to maintaining the restrictive effect of the sleeve long-term.
Sleeve gastrectomy risks include short-term surgical complications like staple line leaks, bleeding, and blood clots, alongside long-term issues such as chronic acid reflux and nutritional deficiencies. Most procedures are performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic techniques by board-certified Italian surgeons to optimize safety.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian bariatric centers like Maria Cecilia Hospital and IRCCS San Donato often combine surgical expertise with deep research backgrounds. Surgeons like Dr. Antonio Braun have performed over 12,000 procedures. This high volume is a key safety signal because experienced centers typically maintain lower leak rates and offer smoother transitions to robotic-assisted Da Vinci surgery if complications are anticipated.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that early movement is vital to prevent blood clots even when it feels painful. Many advise tracking heartburn symptoms immediately, as reflux tends to worsen over time without medical intervention.
Gastric sleeve surgery in Italy involves removing approximately 70-80% of the stomach using a stapling device. The procedure typically takes 60 to 90 minutes of pure surgery time, though the total operating room duration usually spans 1 to 2 hours with anesthesia.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While surgery lasts around 90 minutes, top Italian facilities like Maria Cecilia Hospital prioritize multidisciplinary protocols to minimize complications. Prof. Dr. Antonio Braun has performed over 12,000 gastrointestinal surgeries, illustrating how high-volume expertise can reduce specific surgical risks.
Patient Consensus: Patients often experience transient gas pain for 1 to 3 days from abdominal inflation. Many report walking within hours of waking up to aid recovery and manage this discomfort.
Patients typically stay in Italy for 7 to 14 days to complete gastric sleeve surgery and initial monitoring. Hospitalization lasts 2 to 4 days at facilities like Maria Cecilia Hospital. Most individuals return to light desk work within 10 days and resume full activity after 6 weeks.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian clinics like Maria Cecilia Hospital often extend hospital stays by 2 to 3 days for pathology reviews. This rigorous protocol ensures patient safety before discharge but requires flexible travel planning. Scheduling 14 days total prevents stress if flight adjustments or extra outpatient checks become necessary.
Patient Consensus: Many patients find they can resume desk work by day 10 but suggest buying flexible return flights. Expect energy levels to normalize by the second month while prioritizing aggressive hydration during the initial travel home.
Italy qualifies adults for gastric sleeve surgery if they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher. Individuals with a BMI of 35 to 39.9 also qualify when high-risk comorbidities like type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea are present.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While public waiting lists are long, private facilities in Milan and Rome offer faster access. Leading specialists like Dr. Antonio Braun at Maria Cecilia Hospital bring 25 years of experience to these cases. Private packages often include multidisciplinary diagnostic screenings that can expedite the mandatory endocrinology and psychological approvals.
Patient Consensus: Successful patients emphasize documenting 2 years of failed diets meticulously for approval. Many suggest securing an endocrinologist evaluation early to strengthen the case for surgery based on comorbidities.
Laparoscopic gastric sleeve scars in Italy are minimal and fade significantly over time. Surgeons use small port incisions measuring only 0.5 to 1 cm. These 4 to 5 marks typically become thin, pale lines that are nearly invisible within 12 to 24 months of healing.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian bariatric centers often lead in volume, with San Raffaele performing over 52,000 operations yearly. High-volume centers often utilize mini-laparoscopic ports. These tools are even smaller than standard laparoscopic instruments. This typically results in scars that blend like natural skin creases or stretch marks.
Patient Consensus: Patients report that clothing and bikinis easily conceal the small marks after maturation. Many recommend starting silicone gel treatments by week 3 to ensure scars remain flat and skin-colored.