Gastric Sleeve Istanbul: I Waited 3 Years on the NHS — Here’s What Happened (UK Patient Story)
By Sarah Thompson, 42, Manchester
I’m writing this from my living room in Manchester, eight months after having gastric sleeve surgery in Istanbul — and I genuinely wish I’d done it years ago.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably where I was two years ago: stuck on an endless NHS waiting list, watching the months tick by while your weight climbs higher and your health deteriorates. Or maybe you’ve been quoted £12,000 by a private clinic in the UK and you’re wondering if there’s another option.
Let me tell you my story — because if it helps even one person avoid the mistakes I made, it’s worth sharing. ( Gastric Sleeve Istanbul )
Three Years on the NHS Waiting List
I first approached my GP about weight loss surgery in early 2022. At the time, I weighed 18 stone (114kg) and had a BMI of 42. I’d tried every diet under the sun — Slimming World, WeightWatchers, keto, you name it. I’d lose a stone, gain it back plus more. The cycle was endless and soul-destroying.
My GP referred me to the local bariatric surgery service. I was told the waiting list was “approximately 18 months.” That turned into two years. Then three. Every few months I’d get a letter saying they were “still processing referrals” and I should “continue to attend dietician appointments.”
Meanwhile, I developed type 2 diabetes. My blood pressure was through the roof. I couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs without getting out of breath. I was 42 years old and I felt like my body was giving up on me.
In late 2024, I finally got a letter saying I didn’t meet the criteria for NHS bariatric surgery anymore — my BMI had dropped to 39 after yet another failed diet attempt, and apparently that meant I wasn’t “sick enough” to qualify. Three years of waiting, and I was back to square one. ( Gastric Sleeve Istanbul )
The UK Private Option: £12,000 I Didn’t Have
I looked into going private in the UK. The cheapest quote I got was £10,500 from a clinic in Birmingham. Most were between £12,000 and £15,000. That didn’t include time off work, aftercare supplements, or the inevitable follow-up appointments.
I’m a single mum with two kids. I don’t have £12,000 sitting in a savings account. Even with a payment plan, it would have taken me years to save up — and by that point, who knows what state my health would be in?
I felt completely stuck. The NHS had failed me. Private care was out of reach. I genuinely believed I was going to spend the rest of my life obese, diabetic, and miserable. ( Gastric Sleeve Istanbul )
How I Found Estelux Istanbul
One evening in January 2025, I was scrolling through Instagram and saw a video of a woman from Birmingham talking about her gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey. She’d lost 6 stone in nine months and looked incredible — but what really struck me was how happy she seemed. Not just thinner, but genuinely healthier and more confident.
I started researching. I’ll be honest — at first, I was sceptical. Turkey? For surgery? It sounded dodgy. But the more I read, the more it made sense.
Turkish surgeons perform thousands of these procedures every year. The clinics are modern, JCI-accredited, and the costs are a fraction of what you’d pay in the UK because their overheads are lower — not because the quality is worse.
I found Estelux Istanbul through patient reviews on Google. What stood out to me was that their surgeon, Op. Dr. Aslan, is a specialist bariatric surgeon who’s performed over 2,000 gastric sleeve procedures. That’s more than most UK surgeons do in their entire careers.
I sent a WhatsApp message to their patient coordinator late one night — honestly, I didn’t expect a reply until the next day. But within 20 minutes, I had a detailed response answering all my questions. No pressure, no sales pitch, just clear, honest information. ( Gastric Sleeve Istanbul )
The Decision: Fear vs. Hope
I’ll be honest — I was terrified. Not of the surgery itself, but of making the wrong choice. What if something went wrong? What if the clinic was a scam? What if I flew all the way to Istanbul and regretted it?
But then I thought about the alternative: staying exactly where I was. Overweight, diabetic, exhausted, and hopeless. The NHS had already let me down. UK private care was financially impossible. If I didn’t do something now, when would I?
I had a video consultation with Op. Dr. Aslan in early February 2025. He explained the procedure in detail, reviewed my medical history, and answered every single one of my questions. He didn’t sugarcoat anything — he was clear about the risks, the recovery process, and the lifestyle changes I’d need to make. That honesty gave me confidence.
The all-inclusive package was around a third of what UK private clinics were quoting. It covered everything: the surgery, hospital stay, pre-operative tests, hotel, airport transfers, and aftercare support. No hidden costs. No surprises.
I booked my surgery for March 2025.
Arriving in Istanbul
I flew from Manchester to Istanbul on a Friday afternoon. The flight was just over four hours — shorter than a trip to Spain. Estelux arranged a VIP transfer from the airport to my hotel, a clean, modern 4-star place about 10 minutes from the hospital.
My patient coordinator, who I’d been messaging on WhatsApp for weeks, met me at the hotel. She walked me through the schedule for the next few days and made sure I had everything I needed. It immediately put me at ease.
The next morning, I went to the hospital for my pre-operative tests: blood work, ECG, chest X-ray, and a final consultation with Dr. Aslan. Everything was efficient, professional, and surprisingly calm. I’d expected a chaotic Turkish hospital from the horror stories you read online, but it was quieter and cleaner than most NHS hospitals I’d been to.
Dr. Aslan explained the surgery one more time, checked I understood the risks, and asked if I had any last-minute questions. I didn’t. I was ready. ( Gastric Sleeve Istanbul )
The Surgery
I won’t lie — I was nervous on the morning of the operation. But the anaesthetist was lovely, the nurses were reassuring, and before I knew it, I was being wheeled into the operating theatre.
The next thing I remember is waking up in the recovery room a few hours later. It was done.
The surgery itself is laparoscopic, which means it’s performed through tiny incisions in your abdomen. No massive scars, no long recovery time. Dr. Aslan removed about 80% of my stomach, leaving a small sleeve-shaped pouch that holds much less food — and, crucially, produces far less ghrelin, the hormone that makes you feel hungry.
I stayed in the hospital for two nights. The staff checked on me every few hours, managed my pain medication, and made sure I was drinking enough fluids. By the second day, I was up and walking around the ward — which is actually encouraged to prevent blood clots and speed up recovery. ( Gastric Sleeve Istanbul )
Recovery in Istanbul
After leaving the hospital, I spent another four days recovering at the hotel. Estelux provided a full aftercare pack with vitamins, protein shakes, and a detailed dietary plan for the first few weeks.
I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Aslan on day five to check my incisions and make sure everything was healing properly. He was happy with my progress and cleared me to fly home.
The hardest part of recovery wasn’t the pain — which was surprisingly manageable with the medication they gave me — but adjusting to the new eating habits. For the first two weeks, I could only manage liquids and pureed foods. My stomach felt full after just a few sips of water. It was strange, but also weirdly liberating. For the first time in years, I wasn’t constantly thinking about food. ( Gastric Sleeve Istanbul )
Flying Home
I flew back to Manchester a week after my surgery. I wore a compression garment under my clothes and brought a small cushion to hold against my stomach during the flight, but honestly, it was fine. I’d been more uncomfortable on budget flights to Alicante.
The Estelux team stayed in touch via WhatsApp throughout my recovery. If I had a question about what I could eat, whether a symptom was normal, or when I could start exercising again, I’d send a message and get a reply within an hour. That level of support made all the difference — especially in those first few weeks when everything felt new and slightly scary. ( Gastric Sleeve Istanbul )
Eight Months Later: The Results
It’s now November 2025, eight months since my surgery, and I’ve lost just over 5 stone (32kg). I’m down to 13 stone, and my BMI is 33 — still technically overweight, but I’m aiming for another stone or two over the next few months.
But the number on the scales isn’t even the best part.
My type 2 diabetes has gone into remission. I’m off all my medications. My blood pressure is normal. I can run up the stairs without getting out of breath. I have energy to play with my kids. I fit into clothes I haven’t worn since my twenties.
Most importantly, I feel like myself again. Not the exhausted, miserable version of me that spent three years waiting for the NHS to help. The real me. ( Gastric Sleeve Istanbul )
What I Wish I’d Known Before
If I could go back and give myself advice before the surgery, here’s what I’d say:
Do your research, but don’t overthink it. There are horror stories about medical tourism, but there are also horror stories about the NHS. The key is choosing a reputable clinic with an experienced surgeon — and Estelux ticked every box for me.
The surgery is the easy part. The real work starts when you get home. You have to commit to the lifestyle changes — eating smaller portions, avoiding sugary foods, taking your vitamins every day. If you’re not ready to make those changes, the surgery won’t work.
Trust the process. There were moments in the first few weeks when I panicked — “Have I made a huge mistake?” — but those feelings passed. Your body needs time to adjust. Be patient with yourself.
You don’t need the NHS to validate you. I wasted three years waiting for permission from a system that ultimately failed me. If you know you need this surgery and you’ve done your research, don’t wait. Life’s too short. ( Gastric Sleeve Istanbul )
The Cost: What I Actually Paid
This is the part everyone wants to know about, so I’ll be upfront.
My all-inclusive package at Estelux cost me just under £4,000. That covered:
- The surgery itself
- 2 nights in hospital
- 5 nights in a 4-star hotel
- All pre-operative tests (blood work, ECG, X-ray)
- Airport transfers
- Aftercare pack (vitamins, protein shakes, dietary plan)
- 6 months of remote follow-up support via WhatsApp
I also paid for:
- Flights: £180 return from Manchester to Istanbul
- Travel insurance: £45
- Spending money for food/taxis: £100
Total cost: approximately £4,325.
Compare that to the £12,000+ I was quoted in the UK, and it’s an absolute no-brainer.
Would I Do It Again?
Without a second thought, yes.
I know medical tourism isn’t for everyone. Some people will always feel safer staying in the UK, even if it means waiting years or spending thousands more. I get that.
But for me, going to Istanbul was the best decision I’ve ever made. I got my life back. I got my health back. And I did it without bankrupting myself or waiting another three years for a system that had already failed me.
If you’re reading this and you’re stuck in the same position I was — waiting on the NHS, priced out of UK private care, and feeling hopeless — please know there are other options. Do your research, ask questions, and trust your instincts.
I’m not a paid spokesperson for Estelux. I’m just a mum from Manchester who took a chance on herself — and it paid off.
If you want to ask me anything about my experience, feel free to leave a comment below. I’ll do my best to answer honestly.
And if you’re thinking about taking the leap yourself? I’ll be cheering you on.
Sarah x
Ready to start your weight loss journey?
If Sarah’s story resonates with you, Estelux Istanbul offers free consultations via WhatsApp. Speak to their team, ask your questions, and find out if gastric sleeve surgery is right for you.
Disclaimer: This is a patient story based on a real experience. Individual results vary depending on starting weight, adherence to post-operative guidelines, and lifestyle changes. Always consult a qualified medical professional before undergoing any surgical procedure.
