Bariatric Surgery for Type 2 Diabetes in Turkey
Living with type 2 diabetes and wondering whether surgery is an option for you? For diabetes, Op. Dr. Mesut Çaynak first considers gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y or mini), with sleeve as the second option. He has performed more than 3,800 obesity surgery procedures. His team reviews your A1c, medications and BMI first and tells you honestly whether surgery fits. A coordinator stays with you after you fly home.
Surgery at a JCI-accredited hospital
TEMOS-accredited hospital
SRC-accredited Master Surgeon- One of only 7 SRC-listed bariatric surgeons in Turkey
- 3,800+ obesity surgery procedures
Surgical Review CorporationMaster Surgeon, Metabolic & Bariatric SurgeryAccredited Aug 2021 – 2027The surgeon's team reviews your height, weight, A1c and medication list. No obligation. SRC accreditation can be verified on SRC's site.
A NexWell patient's trip, and Dr. Çaynak's patients
Individual results vary.
The surgeon's team reviews your height, weight, A1c and medication list. No obligation. SRC accreditation can be verified on SRC's site.
As featured in
Coverage of Dr. Çaynak's work.
Credentials
Accreditation you can check yourself
Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) certificate for Op. Dr. Mesut Çaynak, accredited August 2021–2027. Tap the certificate to enlarge it.
Source for “one of only 7 SRC-listed bariatric surgeons in Turkey”: SRC accredited providers list.
Is surgery right for your type 2 diabetes?
“Am I a candidate for weight loss surgery?” is the first question most patients with diabetes ask. Dr. Çaynak explains that eligibility is judged by international standards, based on your BMI together with weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
Guidelines now look at metabolic disease, not only weight. The ADA Standards of Care recommend considering metabolic surgery for adults with type 2 diabetes and a BMI of 30 or higher, and the 2022 ASMBS/IFSO guideline says it should be considered at BMI 30–34.9 when metabolic disease is present. Your surgeon makes the decision after reviewing your own history.
- BMI 30 or higher. This is where ADA and ASMBS/IFSO guidance starts for people with type 2 diabetes. Thresholds are lower for people of Asian descent.
- Diabetes history. How long you have had diabetes, your recent A1c and which medications you take all matter to the surgeon.
- Readiness. Surgery means lifelong changes in eating and vitamins, and regular blood tests.
These are starting points, not rules. Your surgeon recommends one operation after reviewing your case.
Turkish audio · English subtitles
Key facts
Bariatric (metabolic) surgery for type 2 diabetes in Turkey is performed laparoscopically by Op. Dr. Mesut Çaynak at ASV Yaşam Hospital in Antalya, and in some cases in Istanbul. For patients with diabetes he first considers gastric bypass, with sleeve as the second option. The ADA recommends considering metabolic surgery in type 2 diabetes from a BMI of 30. The surgeon decides after reviewing your case.
- Procedures
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, mini (one-anastomosis) bypass; sleeve gastrectomy as second option
- Often considered for
- Type 2 diabetes with BMI ≥30 (ADA)
- Method
- Laparoscopic, at a JCI-accredited hospital
- Aftercare
- 12 months remote follow-up; medication changes stay with your doctors
- Reviewed by
- Op. Dr. Mesut Çaynak (bariatric surgeon)
Four things we put in writing
- 1
Who operates. Your surgery is performed by Op. Dr. Mesut Çaynak, a bariatric surgeon in Antalya.
- 2
What the package covers. One personal quote covers pre-operative tests, laparoscopic surgery, 3 nights in the hospital, hotel accommodation, anesthesia, dietitian consultations, medications and airport–hospital transfers. Flights are yours.
- 3
Who answers after you fly home. 12 months of remote follow-up with a dietitian. Your own doctor keeps managing your diabetes medications.
- 4
Who we say no to. Patients for whom surgery isn't appropriate. The surgeon decides after reviewing your case.
We don't operate on everyone.
Weight-loss surgery is not right for every patient. Eligibility depends on your BMI, overall health, diabetes history and readiness for lifestyle change. A coordinator arranges a remote assessment, and the surgeon decides whether you qualify.
Check if you qualifyVIDEO · 0:48
What is the safest bariatric surgery?
Dr. Çaynak explains why the surgeon and the hospital matter more than the choice of procedure. He talks about operating with an experienced surgical team in a well-equipped hospital.
You can meet him in an online consultation before you book travel.
Online consultation with the surgeonBariatric surgery and type 2 diabetes: the evidence
Bypass makes the stomach smaller and reroutes part of the small intestine. Beyond the smaller portions, this changes how the gut handles food and the hormones it releases, and weight loss itself also helps blood sugar control. Researchers are still working out how much each factor contributes. That is why surgeons call these operations metabolic surgery when diabetes is the reason for operating.
The strongest randomized evidence comes from STAMPEDE. In this trial, 150 people with type 2 diabetes (BMI 27–43, average starting A1c 9.2%) received intensive medical therapy alone, or medical therapy plus gastric bypass or sleeve. After 5 years, the share with an A1c of 6.0% or lower, with or without diabetes medication, was (Schauer et al., NEJM 2017):
- Gastric bypass: 29% (14 of 49)
- Sleeve gastrectomy: 23% (11 of 47)
- Intensive medical therapy alone: 5% (2 of 38)
Read these numbers carefully. The trial was small, and bypass and sleeve were not statistically compared with each other. Many participants still needed some treatment. A pooled analysis of 136 earlier studies (Buchwald et al., JAMA 2004) also reported diabetes resolved or improved in most patients, but it covers bariatric surgery as a group and older operations, not bypass alone. Neither source describes Dr. Çaynak's own results.
Dr. Çaynak says that for patients with metabolic disease such as type 2 diabetes, bypass is the operation he prefers, and that sleeve is the choice when obesity alone is the issue. He explains this in the video. Bypass carries its own trade-offs, including lifelong vitamin supplements and a higher chance of vitamin and iron shortage than sleeve (NIDDK), so the decision is made case by case.
What to expect
- Weight and blood sugar. In STAMPEDE, average weight fell by 23% after bypass and 19% after sleeve over 5 years, versus 5% with medical therapy alone. Individual results vary.
- Remission is possible, not promised. Some people reach normal-range blood sugar with less or no medication; others improve but still need treatment. Diabetes can also return over time.
- Your medications. Insulin and tablet doses can need review quickly after surgery. Changes are made only by the doctor who prescribes them, based on your blood sugar readings. Do not stop or cut any medication on your own.
- Long-term checks. Regular A1c and vitamin blood tests, and diabetes eye, kidney and foot checks with your own doctor, continue after surgery.
Dr. Çaynak's team works with your own doctor. Bring your latest A1c, medication list and any recent lab results to the assessment, and tell your endocrinologist or primary care doctor about your plans so your diabetes care stays continuous before and after surgery.
Sources
- Schauer et al., STAMPEDE 5-year outcomes (NEJM, 2017; PubMed)
- Buchwald et al., Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (JAMA, 2004; PubMed)
- Eisenberg et al., 2022 ASMBS and IFSO Indications for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (PubMed)
- American Diabetes Association, Standards of Care in Diabetes, “Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes” (Diabetes Care)
Before and after, from Dr. Çaynak's practice
Patients of Dr. Çaynak. Results vary, and these images don't predict yours.
Patient of Op. Dr. Çaynak
Patient of Op. Dr. Çaynak
Patient of Op. Dr. Çaynak
Patient of Op. Dr. Çaynak
Patient of Op. Dr. Çaynak
Patient of Op. Dr. Çaynak
Your surgeon: Op. Dr. Mesut Çaynak
He has been an SRC-accredited Master Surgeon in Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery since 2021, according to the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC). He has performed more than 3,800 obesity surgery procedures over the past decade.
He works with a team that includes a gastroenterological surgeon and two dietitians (Prof. Dr. İsmail Gömceli; Dt. Ece Eyiler and Dt. Melis Çivril).
Surgery takes place at ASV Yaşam Hospital in Antalya, which is accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI). Dr. Çaynak also operates in Istanbul.
His SRC certificate is shown in the credentials section above.
His SRC certificate is shown in the credentials section above. Verify on SRC
Which operation for type 2 diabetes?
For patients with type 2 diabetes, Dr. Çaynak first considers bypass and treats sleeve as the second option. The final choice depends on your diabetes history, BMI, reflux and anatomy, and is made by the surgeon.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
The surgeon creates a small upper stomach pouch and reroutes the small intestine so food skips much of the stomach and upper intestine. NIDDK describes it as hard to undo. It was one of the two operations tested in STAMPEDE.
- Intestine is reconnected in two places (a “Y” shape).
- In Dr. Çaynak's practice, usually the first operation considered for type 2 diabetes.
Mini gastric bypass (one-anastomosis)
A single-connection bypass: the stomach pouch is joined to the intestine at one point, so the operation has one fewer intestinal connection than Roux-en-Y.
- Bile reaching the stomach pouch (bile reflux) is one thing the surgeon weighs, together with your reflux history.
Sleeve gastrectomy (second option)
Most of the stomach is removed and the intestine is not rerouted. It was also tested in STAMPEDE and, in his assessment, can be the better fit in some patients, for example when diabetes is mild or the surgeon prefers to avoid rerouting.
- NIDDK lists acid reflux and hiatal hernia as risks of sleeve.
Bypass or sleeve with type 2 diabetes
| Gastric bypass | Gastric sleeve | |
|---|---|---|
| What happens | Stomach made smaller and intestine rerouted | Most of the stomach is removed; no rerouting |
| STAMPEDE, 5 years (A1c ≤6.0%) | 14 of 49 patients (29%) | 11 of 47 patients (23%) |
| Reflux | Dr. Çaynak's clinical assessment: often considered when reflux is already a problem | NIDDK lists acid reflux and hiatal hernia as risks |
| Vitamins and iron | NIDDK: higher chance of vitamin and iron shortage than sleeve; lifelong supplements | Supplements still needed; NIDDK lists vitamin and iron deficiency as a risk |
| Reversal | Hard to undo (NIDDK) | Part of the stomach is removed permanently |
Sources: NIDDK, “Types of Bariatric Surgery”; Schauer et al., NEJM 2017 (small trial, bypass and sleeve were not statistically compared). Your surgeon's advice is specific to you.
See all weight-loss procedures
Gastric sleeve, bypass and revision surgery, with how a single assessment decides which one fits.
JCI-accredited ASV Yaşam Hospital
Surgery is done laparoscopically: through several small incisions rather than one large cut. It takes place at ASV Yaşam Hospital in Antalya, a JCI-accredited hospital. Your package includes 3 nights in the hospital. The surgeon decides when you are cleared to fly, typically around day 5–7 for most patients.
- METHOD
- Laparoscopic
- HOSPITAL
- ASV Yaşam Hospital, Antalya (JCI-accredited)
- HOSPITAL STAY
- 3 nights (package)
- FLY-HOME CLEARANCE
- Surgeon decides, usually day 5–7
Metabolic surgery in Antalya or Istanbul
Dr. Çaynak operates at ASV Yaşam Hospital in Antalya, on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, and he can also operate in Istanbul. Your coordinator confirms the city and hospital when you get your quote. Antalya is usually reached by connecting through Istanbul. Turkey is 7 hours ahead of New York in summer and 8 hours ahead in winter, so we schedule calls with that in mind.
ASV Yaşam Hospital: Gebizli Mah. 1116 Sk No:4, Muratpaşa/Antalya, Turkey (listed by the Antalya Provincial Health Directorate).
Recovery and preparation. Preparation starts weeks ahead: the surgeon's team tells you what to do before the operation, including how your diabetes medications are handled, and what to expect after.
Surgery for type 2 diabetes in Turkey: from first message to flying home
STEP 1 · YOU ARE HERE
Send your details. Height, weight, latest A1c and your medication list. Photos or lab results are optional.
STEP 2
Surgeon-level review. Dr. Çaynak's team reviews your case in an online consultation. A physician, not a salesperson, decides if you qualify and which operation, if any, fits.
STEP 3
Personal quote. You get a written quote after the surgeon's assessment.
STEP 4
Talk to your own doctor. Share the plan with your endocrinologist or primary care doctor so they can adjust your diabetes care around the surgery date.
STEP 5
Dates and travel. We book the hospital stay, hotel and transfers; you book flights.
STEP 6
Surgery in Antalya or Istanbul. Pre-operative tests, then laparoscopic surgery, then 3 nights in the hospital.
STEP 7
Follow-up at home. 12 months of remote check-ins with a dietitian, alongside your own doctor's diabetes care.
How to prepare for bariatric surgery
VIDEO · 1:10
Dr. Çaynak explains that obesity is a serious health condition, not a cosmetic one, and walks through what happens before and after the operation. He also covers the pre-operative tests and the steps your team asks you to take in advance.
Turkish audio · English subtitles
Surgery price in Turkey: your quote
NIDDK, the US National Institutes of Health institute, says weight-loss surgery can cost $15,000 to $25,000 or more in the United States. Your price in Turkey depends on the operation your surgeon recommends and your case, so it is quoted in writing after the assessment, not before.
| Item | Metabolic / bariatric surgery, Turkey (NexWell package) | Weight-loss surgery, United States (self-pay) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Personal quote after your surgeon's assessment | $15,000–$25,000 USD or more |
| Source | Written quote from the surgeon's team | NIDDK, “Definition & Facts of Weight-Loss Surgery” (page last reviewed Sept. 2020) |
Not an apples-to-apples comparison: the NIDDK range covers weight-loss surgery in general, not only bypass, and varies by procedure and complications. Prices in US dollars; flights are not included in the Turkey package. Insurance coverage of surgery abroad varies; check with your insurer.
- Included in the package: pre-operative tests, laparoscopic surgery, anesthesia, 3 nights in the hospital, hotel accommodation, dietitian consultations, first-month medications, compression stockings, airport transfers, 12-month remote follow-up.
- Not included: flights.
- Bypass and sleeve are quoted after assessment, because the right operation depends on your case.
- Ongoing diabetes medication and care with your own doctor are not part of the package.
After surgery abroad: 12 months of follow-up
- Remote check-ins with a dietitian for 12 months.
- Your diabetes medications are adjusted only by the doctor who prescribes them. Keep checking your blood sugar as they advise, and send them your readings.
- Weight-loss surgery means lifelong changes: a new way of eating and vitamin supplements. Your dietitian and surgeon explain this before you decide.
- Keep up routine diabetes checks (A1c, eyes, kidneys, feet) with your own doctor.
- If you have severe pain, fever, vomiting you can't stop, trouble breathing, or signs of very low or very high blood sugar after you return, go to your nearest emergency room and tell them about your surgery. Don't wait for an online reply.
Dumping syndrome and eating after gastric bypass
Bypass changes how food moves through your system. Dr. Çaynak explains dumping syndrome, which can happen after gastric bypass: the early and late types, the foods and drinks that trigger it (such as high-calorie liquids and sugary foods) and the symptoms to watch for.
NIDDK also notes a higher chance of vitamin and iron shortage after gastric bypass than after sleeve, which is why supplements and blood tests are part of the follow-up plan. NIDDK source
Bariatric surgery for type 2 diabetes: common questions
Am I a candidate for bariatric surgery with type 2 diabetes?
The ADA Standards of Care recommend considering metabolic surgery for adults with type 2 diabetes and a BMI of 30 or higher, and the 2022 ASMBS/IFSO guideline says it should be considered at BMI 30–34.9 when metabolic disease is present. Your A1c, diabetes history and overall health also matter. Dr. Çaynak's team reviews them in a remote assessment and the surgeon decides.
Why does Dr. Çaynak consider bypass first for diabetes?
He says bypass is the operation he prefers for patients with metabolic disease such as type 2 diabetes, and sleeve when obesity alone is the issue. Bypass reroutes part of the intestine, which changes gut hormones as well as portion size. It also has trade-offs, such as lifelong vitamins and a higher chance of vitamin and iron shortage than sleeve (NIDDK). The surgeon recommends one operation after reviewing your case.
Can I have surgery if I take insulin?
People who use insulin can be assessed; the surgeon decides case by case, together with your diabetes physician. Insulin use is something the surgeon needs to know about. Send your full medication list with your enquiry. Insulin doses are managed by your own diabetes doctor, who will need to review them before and after the operation. Never change them yourself.
What A1c do I need to have surgery?
We do not use a single cutoff. The surgeon looks at your recent A1c together with your medications, diabetes duration, BMI and other conditions. For reference, patients in the STAMPEDE trial averaged an A1c of 9.2% at the start. Send your latest result with your enquiry.
Will I still need diabetes medication after surgery?
It varies. In STAMPEDE, 29% of bypass patients and 23% of sleeve patients reached an A1c of 6.0% or lower after 5 years, with or without medication, compared with 5% on medical therapy alone (Schauer et al., NEJM 2017). Others improved but still needed treatment. Medication changes are made only by your prescribing doctor, never by you.
Does bariatric surgery put type 2 diabetes into remission?
Some patients reach normal-range blood sugar with less or no medication, and in studies bariatric surgery improved or resolved diabetes in most patients. No operation can promise it, and diabetes can return over time. Results depend on your diabetes history, and your surgeon and your own doctor review this with you before you decide.
Gastric sleeve or gastric bypass for type 2 diabetes?
Dr. Çaynak first considers bypass for patients with diabetes and treats sleeve as the second option. In STAMPEDE both improved blood sugar more than medical therapy alone; the trial was small and did not statistically compare the two operations. The right one depends on your reflux, BMI, diabetes history and anatomy, and the surgeon decides.
Can I have surgery with a BMI of 30 to 35?
Possibly. The ADA recommends considering metabolic surgery for type 2 diabetes from BMI 30, and the 2022 ASMBS/IFSO guideline says it should be considered at BMI 30–34.9 with metabolic disease. Whether it is appropriate for you depends on your diabetes control and health, and the surgeon decides after reviewing your case.
How many days do I need to stay in Turkey?
The package includes 3 nights in the hospital, and the surgeon decides when you are cleared to fly, usually around day 5–7. Longer itineraries from the US can mean waiting a few extra days. Plan the dates with your coordinator, and with your own doctor for diabetes supplies and medication timing.
What follow-up do I get, and who manages my diabetes at home?
You get 12 months of remote follow-up with a dietitian. Your own endocrinologist or primary care doctor keeps managing your diabetes medications and routine checks, and we encourage you to involve them before you travel. If you have severe symptoms at home, go to your nearest emergency room.
Is it safe?
Every surgery carries risks, including bleeding, infection and blood clots, and people with diabetes need careful pre-operative assessment. Outcomes depend on that assessment, the surgeon's experience and follow-up care. We cannot promise results. Dr. Çaynak's team reviews your case first and can decline you if surgery isn't appropriate.
Who performs the surgery?
Your surgeon is Op. Dr. Mesut Çaynak, a bariatric surgeon. He has been an SRC-accredited Master Surgeon in Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery since 2021 and has performed more than 3,800 obesity surgery procedures. Surgery takes place at ASV Yaşam Hospital, Antalya (JCI-accredited) or, in some cases, in Istanbul.
What does the package cover, and what will it cost me?
The package covers tests, surgery, anesthesia, 3 nights in the hospital, hotel accommodation, dietitian visits, first-month medications, compression stockings and airport transfers. It does not cover flights. You get your personal quote in writing after the surgeon reviews your case, before you decide.
More information
Gastric Bypass in Turkey
Roux-en-Y and mini bypass: how they differ and who they suit.
Read more →Obesity Surgery Overview
Sleeve, bypass and revision: how one assessment decides which fits.
Read more →Gastric Sleeve in Turkey
Sleeve gastrectomy: the second option for many patients with diabetes.
Read more →Our Medical Reviewer
Op. Dr. Mesut Çaynak: general surgeon, metabolic & bariatric surgery.
Read more →Medically reviewed by Op. Dr. Mesut Çaynak, General Surgeon, Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery. Last reviewed October 2026
Request your diabetes surgery assessment
Tell us your height, weight, latest A1c and the diabetes medications you take. Dr. Çaynak's team reviews your case and replies with a written quote after the assessment. Prefer to talk first? Request an online consultation with the surgeon.
A physician reviews your case. No obligation.
Send your current weight, height and any reports you have. The surgeon reviews them and you get a written plan within 24 hours.
For information only, not medical advice. Surgery carries risks, and results vary. See our editorial policy and medical disclaimer. NexWell is a health tourism agency (Nexwell Global Solutions FZCO, Dubai); the surgery is performed by an independent surgeon at ASV Yaşam Hospital in Antalya or a hospital in Istanbul.