Gastric plication in Turkey: reduce the stomach without cutting it
Everything you need to know about gastric plication in Turkey: who it is for, how the operation works, results, risks and price.
What is gastric plication in Turkey?
Gastric plication in Turkey is intended for adults with obesity, usually with a BMI between 30 and 40, who have not managed to lose weight lastingly with diet and physical activity. The surgeon folds the stomach inwards and holds it in place with stitches, by laparoscopy, under general anesthesia, in 1 to 2 hours. The stomach is reduced by about 70% without being cut or stapled, and without an implant. Plan on 5 to 6 days in Turkey, including 1 to 2 nights in hospital. In Turkey, prices range from €3,500 to €4,500.
TurquieMed organizes your stay: review of your file by a surgeon, opinion and detailed quote within 48 hours, airport pick-up, transfers, hotel, interpreter and 7-day-a-week assistance.
To choose well, check that the surgeon performs plication regularly, compare it with the sleeve for your case, and check the nutritional follow-up planned after your return.
- Technique
- Laparoscopy, no cutting or stapling
- Anesthesia
- General
- Hospital stay
- Usually 1 to 2 nights
- Follow-up
- Medical and nutritional
How much does gastric plication cost in Turkey?
In Turkey, gastric plication costs from €3,500 to €4,500. The final price depends on the hospital, the surgeon, the pre-operative tests and the number of nights in hospital and at the hotel. It appears on your free quote, prepared after your medical file has been reviewed.
The quote usually includes:
- pre-operative tests and consultation with the surgeon and anesthetist;
- the laparoscopic operation and hospital stay;
- medication in hospital and your eating plan on discharge;
- hotel, transfers, interpreter and TurquieMed assistance 7 days a week.
The flight and follow-up after your return are usually at your own expense.
Why have gastric plication in Turkey?
Gastric plication reduces the volume of the stomach by folding it in on itself, without removing any part. Less widely performed than the sleeve, it requires surgeons who master this particular technique.
- A technique with no removal of the stomach. The stomach is folded and stitched by laparoscopy, without stapling or removal, which avoids the risk of a leak along a staple line.
- Surgeons who perform plication. The bariatric surgeons who offer it help you compare it with the sleeve according to your weight and expectations.
- A check-up before the procedure. Blood tests, gastroscopy and consultations confirm that plication suits your situation.
- A short hospital stay. 1 to 2 nights in hospital, then a few days at the hotel before the final check-up.
- Nutritional follow-up prepared. You leave with the stages for returning to food and the follow-up instructions to continue close to home.
How does gastric plication work?
A stomach folded in on itself
The surgeon folds the greater curvature of the stomach inwards, in one or two folds, and secures them with stitches. The stomach takes on a tube shape, close to that obtained with a sleeve.
No cutting, no staples, no implant
No part of the stomach is removed and no band or balloon is fitted. There is therefore no staple line and no foreign body in the abdomen.
A smaller stomach, faster fullness
With a stomach reduced by about 70%, you feel full with small portions. In the first weeks, swelling of the stomach around the stitches may increase nausea: it then subsides.
Gastric plication or another obesity treatment?
Plication is often compared with the sleeve: the shape of the stomach is similar, but nothing is removed. It is better suited to moderate BMIs. On the other hand, weight loss is slightly smaller and weight regain is more frequent in the long term, as the folds can loosen. The technique has also been studied less over the long term than the sleeve or bypass. The surgeon will guide you according to your BMI and goals.
| Criterion | Gastric plication | Gastric balloon | Gastric botox | Gastric band | Gastric sleeve | Gastric bypass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price in Turkey | €3,500 to €4,500 | From €1,500 | From €1,500 | From €3,900 | From €2,800 | From €4,000 |
| Technique | Laparoscopy | Endoscopy, no incision | Endoscopy, no incision | Laparoscopy | Laparoscopy | Laparoscopy |
| Procedure time | 1 to 2 hours | 20 to 30 minutes | 15 to 20 minutes | 1 to 2 hours | 1 to 2 hours | 2 to 3 hours |
| Average weight loss | 20 to 25% of body weight | 10 to 15% of body weight in 6 months | Modest, a few kilos | 15 to 20% of body weight | 25 to 30% of body weight in the 1st year | 30 to 35% of body weight |
| Reversible | Partly | Yes (temporary) | Yes (temporary effect) | Yes | No | Difficult |
| Changes to the intestine | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Risk of deficiencies | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High |
These figures are indicative and vary between patients, surgeons and techniques.
For a detailed comparison, see our guides to the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and gastric balloon.
Who can benefit from gastric plication?
Plication is generally intended for adults in one of these situations:
- a BMI between 30 and 40, with or without a weight-related condition;
- failure of well-conducted medical and dietary follow-up;
- the wish to avoid having part of the stomach removed;
- willingness to attend nutritional follow-up after the operation.
To calculate your BMI, divide your weight by your height squared: 95 kg for 1.70 m gives a BMI of 33.
When plication is not recommended
- very severe obesity, where the sleeve or bypass give better results;
- severe reflux or a large hiatal hernia;
- untreated serious eating disorders;
- alcohol or substance dependence;
- current pregnancy or pregnancy planned within the year.
How is gastric plication performed in Turkey?
- You send your file. Weight, height, medical history, treatments and recent tests.
- The surgeon reviews it. They confirm whether plication is right for you and you receive your quote.
- Day 1: arrival and tests. Airport pick-up, consultation with the surgeon and anesthetist, blood tests and gastroscopy.
- Day 2: the operation. Laparoscopic plication, in 1 to 2 hours, under general anesthesia. You walk from the next day.
- Days 3 and 4: discharge from hospital. After 1 to 2 nights of monitoring and a return to liquids, you go back to the hotel.
- Days 5 and 6: check-up and return. Final visit with the surgeon, handover of the report and prescriptions, then flight home.
After plication: eating and results
Eating
For the first 2 weeks, you only take liquids, in small sips. In weeks 3 and 4, you move on to puréed foods, then soft foods. You return to normal eating at around 6 weeks, in small portions. Following these stages is important: they protect the stitches while healing.
Results
Weight loss averages 20 to 25% of starting weight, or 50 to 60% of excess weight, over 12 to 18 months. To keep it off, nutritional follow-up and physical activity are essential, as the stomach can stretch over time if portions increase.
Daily life
You can return to office work after 1 to 2 weeks, and gradually resume sport after 4 weeks. A multivitamin is often recommended during the phase of rapid weight loss. Pregnancy should be avoided during the first year.
What are the risks of gastric plication?
Plication is performed by laparoscopy, without cutting or stapling, which allows a quick recovery: most patients walk the next day and leave hospital after 1 to 2 nights. Serious complications are rare and, when they occur, they are usually detected and treated during the hospital stay.
The most common effects
| Effect | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea and vomiting | Swelling of the stomach around the stitches | Common in the first 2 to 3 weeks, relieved by medication |
| Pain and tiredness in the first days | Normal after the operation | They ease within a few days |
| Reflux | Acid coming back up | Usually well treated with medication |
Rare complications
They are uncommon, but it is important to know them so you can react quickly if a symptom appears.
| Complication | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Leak at a stitch | A stitch is not watertight | Rare, monitored in hospital |
| Obstruction | Swelling hinders the passage of food | Usually temporary, treated in hospital |
| Loosening of the folds | The stomach stretches over time | May lead to weight regain |
To reduce these risks, choose a surgeon who performs plication regularly and follow the eating stages: they protect the stitches while healing.
How to choose your hospital and quote?
A low price is not enough. Ask the hospital these questions before committing:
- Is the hospital authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Health to treat international patients?
- Who will perform the plication, and how experienced are they with this technique?
- How many plications does the surgeon perform each year?
- Who takes care of a complication, on site and after your return home?
- What medical and nutritional follow-up is planned, and with whom?
What a good quote should specify
- The name of the hospital and the doctor
- The tests, anesthesia, hospital stay and medication included
- The number of nights in hospital and at the hotel, and the transfers
- What happens in case of complication or cancellation
- The follow-up offered after your return
Also budget for your flight and follow-up consultations. Planned treatment in Turkey is usually not covered by public health insurance: ask your insurer in writing before committing.
Take time to think, and be wary of any offer that pushes you to decide quickly.
Our partner hospitals in Turkey
Frequently asked questions about gastric plication in Turkey
How much does gastric plication cost in Turkey?
In Turkey, gastric plication costs from €3,500 to €4,500. The price depends on the hospital, the surgeon, the pre-operative tests and the number of nights in hospital and at the hotel. The quote usually includes tests, the operation, hospital stay, medication, hotel, transfers, interpreter and assistance. The flight is at your own expense.
How much weight can you lose with gastric plication?
On average 20 to 25% of starting weight, or 50 to 60% of excess weight, over 12 to 18 months. For a person weighing 100 kg, this often means 20 to 25 kg. The result depends greatly on keeping to portion sizes and nutritional follow-up, as the stomach can stretch over time.
What is the difference between plication and a sleeve?
Both give the stomach a tube shape. With a sleeve, about three quarters of the stomach is removed and the result is greater and more lasting: 25 to 30% of body weight in the first year. With plication, the stomach is folded and stitched, with nothing removed: weight loss is slightly smaller, 20 to 25%, and regain is more frequent. With TurquieMed, the sleeve starts from €2,800.
Is gastric plication reversible?
Partly: as nothing is removed, the stitches can in theory be undone, especially in the first months. In practice, when the result is insufficient, plication is more often converted into a sleeve or bypass than reversed. Do not choose it only because it is reversible.
How long do I need to stay in Turkey?
Plan on 5 to 6 days: tests on arrival, the operation the next day, 1 to 2 nights in hospital, then 1 to 2 days at the hotel before a final check-up. The surgeon then gives you the go-ahead to fly.
Is nausea common after plication?
Yes, more than after a sleeve, especially during the first 2 to 3 weeks: the stomach swells around the stitches. Anti-nausea medication is prescribed on discharge. Drink in small sips throughout the day and follow the eating stages. If you can no longer drink, contact your team without delay.
When can I return to work and sport?
For office work, the return is usually after 1 to 2 weeks, and after 3 to 4 weeks for a physical job. Walking starts the day after the operation. Sport resumes gradually from 4 weeks, with the surgeon’s approval.
Is gastric plication covered by insurance?
Generally not. Plication is rarely among the techniques covered by health insurance, and planned treatment in Turkey is usually at your own expense. Follow-up with your own doctor at home is generally covered as usual: check with your insurer.
Your gastric plication project in Turkey
Send us your weight, height, medical history and current treatments. You will receive an opinion and a free quote after your file has been reviewed.
