FAQ

Turkey has become one of the top destinations for bariatric surgery, especially for patients from the UK and Europe. The biggest reason is cost – treatments here are much more affordable. For example, weight loss surgery in Turkey can cost up to 70% less than in the UK. This is due to lower operating costs and government support for medical tourism, not a difference in quality. Which brings us to the next point: quality of care. Turkey’s leading hospitals (like ours) are internationally accredited and use the same modern techniques and strict standards as clinics in Western Europe. You’ll be treated by highly qualified surgeons (often members of international bariatric associations) using cutting-edge technology. Another advantage is speed – in many countries, patients wait years for bariatric surgery; with us, you can schedule surgery within weeks at your convenience. And let’s not forget the experience: you get to recover in a beautiful holiday-like setting. Antalya offers sunshine, sea views, and a calm environment to heal. Many of our international patients say combining their treatment with a mini-vacation made the whole journey rewarding and memorable. In short, by coming to Turkey you save money, get top-notch medical care, skip long waiting lists, and even enjoy a vacation – a win-win all around.

A: We completely understand this concern. Your safety is our absolute priority. At OFM Antalya Hospital, you’ll be in a fully licensed hospital that meets European standards of care (it was literally built to EU specifications). We are equipped with ICU facilities and an experienced team for any contingency. Our surgeons are world-class – board-certified in general surgery and specialized in bariatrics, with thousands of surgeries of experience. Many have trained or worked in Europe as well. We adhere to the same protocols and regulations you’d find in a UK or German hospital. All equipment is modern and regularly inspected. Also, our patient-to-nurse ratio is excellent, meaning you receive attentive care round the clock. Communication-wise, you’ll have English-speaking (or your preferred language) staff with you at all major points, so nothing gets lost in translation. We also prepare you thoroughly before you travel – reviewing your medical history, etc. – to ensure you’re a safe candidate for surgery. If we have any doubts about safety, we won’t proceed until issues are addressed. Rest assured, you’ll be cared for by a capable, compassionate medical team from start to finish. The proof is in our results and patient testimonials – you are in very good hands with us.

The amount of weight each patient loses can vary, but the results are often dramatic. On average, patients lose 50–70% of their excess body weight within the first year or two after surgery. For example, if you are 100 lbs (45 kg) overweight, you might lose around 50 lbs (22 kg) or more in the first year. Many of our patients reach a healthy BMI within 12–18 months post-op. Equally important, bariatric surgery can lead to remission of conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension in a large number of cases. Now, keeping the weight off depends on maintaining the healthier eating habits and lifestyle changes that we’ll teach you. The surgery is a powerful tool – it will dramatically reduce your appetite and capacity to eat, especially in the first year. This gives you a window of opportunity to reset your habits. We’ll support you with nutritional guidance and follow-ups during this period. Most patients find it much easier to stick to a healthy diet after surgery because they simply aren’t as hungry as before and feel full with small portions. However, it is possible to regain weight years later if one returns to a high-calorie diet (like snacking on sweets or drinking sugary drinks frequently). The good news is, our program emphasizes long-term success: we set you up with the knowledge and support to preserve your results permanently. Studies show bariatric surgery patients keep most of the weight off long-term compared to those who try to lose weight with diet alone. In summary, you can expect to lose a significant amount of weight – and as long as you stick with the lifestyle changes, you should keep it off and continue enjoying the health benefits for life.

You should plan for about a one-week trip for the surgery itself. Typically, our international patients stay around 5–7 days in Turkey. This includes the day of surgery and a few days after for initial recovery. For example, you might arrive on a Sunday, have surgery on Monday, stay in the hospital for 2–3 days, then spend another couple of days resting at a hotel, and fly home by Friday or Saturday. We will personalize the timeline to your case (some patients stay an extra day if needed, or choose to stay longer to enjoy a holiday). Before you leave, we’ll do thorough check-ups to make sure you’re fit for travel. Flying after bariatric surgery is generally safe within a week; we’ll advise you on precautions like moving your legs during the flight to reduce clot risk. As for getting back to normal, recovery is surprisingly quick. Most people are up and walking the same or next day after surgery, and each day gets better. By the time you’re home, you’ll be on a liquid/soft diet and able to do light daily activities. We usually recommend taking 2 weeks off work (for desk jobs) to recover fully, or up to 4 weeks if your job is very physically demanding. Within 2–3 weeks, many patients feel almost back to “normal” (minus the excess weight!). Heavy lifting is off-limits for about a month. We’ll provide detailed guidance on activity, diet, and self-care for every phase of recovery. To sum up: about a week in Turkey, and a couple of weeks of taking it easy at home. It’s a relatively short commitment for a lifetime of change!

You will need to book your flights to and from Antalya, as these are not included in our medical package. This actually works out better, since you can choose the travel dates, airline, and departure airport that suit you best (often at a great price by shopping around). Don’t worry – we will guide you on the optimal dates and times to arrive/depart, and if you need advice on airlines or routes, we’re happy to help. Once you’ve booked your flights, we take care of everything else. As mentioned, all your local transportation in Antalya is included – our driver will be there to meet you on arrival and shuttle you around until you leave. We also arrange your accommodation (hospital and hotel) as part of the package, so no need to worry about that. Think of it like this: you handle the plane ticket, we handle the rest! Many patients ask if they should buy travel insurance – we do recommend it for peace of mind, and ensure it covers medical travel. Also, keep in mind that even after paying for a flight, patients still save thousands of euros compared to doing the surgery at home. (In fact, your entire trip plus surgery often costs less than just the surgery alone in countries like the UK or Germany.) So, book your flight, pack your bags, and leave the logistics to us – we’ve got you covered from the minute you land in Turkey.

Our aftercare program is one of the key parts of our service – we believe it’s critical to your success. Before you leave Antalya, we’ll give you a folder (and digital copy) with all your post-op instructions, diet phases, and follow-up schedule. But we don’t just hand you papers and say goodbye. We stay in contact to make sure you’re doing well. Typically, a specialist from our team will call or video chat with you about a week after you’re home to check on your recovery. After that, we have scheduled check-ins: e.g. at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months post-surgery (and any time you want in between). You can also reach out to us by phone, WhatsApp, or email any time if you have questions or concerns – whether it’s a question about vitamins or you’re unsure about a certain food, we’re here to help. We’ll ask you to send updates on your weight loss and how you’re feeling, which you can easily do through our secure mobile app or just by messaging us. Our dietitian will work with you on adjusting your diet as you progress, and our doctors remain available to address any medical questions. We encourage you to also maintain regular check-ups with your local GP – and we’ll gladly collaborate with them if needed (we provide a detailed surgery report for you to give to your doctor). The bottom line: you are not left on your own after surgery. We’re committed to your long-term success. Whether it’s 2 weeks or 2 years later, you can always contact our clinic and we’ll support you in any way possible.

Yes! You are welcome to bring a companion for support. In fact, having a loved one by your side can make the experience easier. We accommodate companions all the time – just let us know in advance. Your companion can stay with you in your private hospital room (there’s a sofa-bed for guests), so you won’t be separated. They’ll also be able to stay in the hotel with you, of course. The hospital provides meals for patients; your companion can order meals separately when staying at the hospital or simply dine at local restaurants (Antalya has great food!). All the ground transportation we provide will include your companion at no extra charge – the airport pickups and hospital transfers are for both of you. The only costs for a companion would be their flight and any personal expenses (and a modest fee for their hotel accommodation if not already included – many of our package deals do include one companion’s hotel stay for free, so ask about current offers). We will make sure you and your companion are comfortable throughout the journey. And if you’re coming alone, don’t worry – our team will be there to support you, and you’ll feel like you have family here anyway. Whether you bring someone or come solo, you will be well taken care of.

We’re here to help. If you’re unsure about anything or just want to understand your options better, simply reach out to us. You can phone us, WhatsApp us, or send an email – our friendly medical consultants will gladly answer all your questions. We can also connect you with past patients if you’d like to hear about their experiences. We know this is a big decision, and we want you to feel completely comfortable and informed. No pressure, no obligation. Just get in touch, and we’ll provide honest, straightforward information to help you make the best choice for your health.