Gastric Sleeve Experience Video: UK Patients Tell Their Story

In this gastric sleeve experience video, nine patients from the UK talk about their operation with Op. Dr. Volkan Arayıcı in İzmir.

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Video · 3:34 min · published October 2026 on YouTube · channel of Op. Dr. Volkan Arayıcı

What the video covers

This gastric sleeve experience video brings together nine patients from the UK – Louise, Joanne, Michael, Luke, Josie, Chelsea, Dawn, Paula and 75-year-old Sylvia. In three and a half minutes they talk about why they chose Turkey and Op. Dr. Volkan Arayıcı in İzmir, the checks before surgery, the operation and the first days in hospital, the aftercare – and whether they would do it again.

Several found the surgeon through Instagram, YouTube or the WhatsApp button on the website; for Luke, the patient group chat was what made him decide. Chelsea was surprised by how many tests are done before surgery, Michael describes nausea in the first two days, and Luke was surprised how quickly he was walking. Dawn, who travelled alone, says she never felt on her own.

These are personal experiences. How the first days go and how much weight someone loses varies from person to person; every operation carries risks, and we go through them with you in person before you decide.

Chapters

  1. 00:00What our patients say
  2. 00:18Why Turkey – and why this doctor?
  3. 01:00Arrival and pre-op checks
  4. 01:25The operation and the first days
  5. 02:10Aftercare
  6. 02:43Would you do it again?

Full transcript of the video

Full transcript of the video in English, lightly edited for readability. Some interviews were recorded in earlier years; the process described below is how it works today.

00:00 · What our patients say

00:00Louise (Patient from the UK): I feel amazing. Been up, walking around – I just can't imagine that I've actually been through it.

00:08Joanne (Patient from England): Thank you so much for your kindness – thank you to change my life.

00:18 · Why Turkey – and why this doctor?

00:22Joanne (Patient from England): I saw that Dr Volkan had an Instagram page, and then on YouTube I could actually see and listen to him talking to other English patients and their experiences.

00:40Michael (Patient from London): It has a WhatsApp tab on the website, and you're instantly connected with someone who can talk you through and offer a bit more advice on the surgery.

00:52Luke (Patient from England): I contacted you through WhatsApp, you put me into the group chat – and the group chat was the one that made me decide to come with you guys.

01:00 · Arrival and pre-op checks

01:03Josie (Patient from the UK): On arrival I had a lovely driver waiting for me with my name on the board, so I knew exactly where to go.

01:12Chelsea (Patient from the UK): It was quite a lot. It's different to England – you have so many tests here.

01:21On screen: How it works with us – Day 1: arrival & blood tests · next morning: ultrasound, echo, cardiology, chest & anaesthesia checks · then surgery

01:25 · The operation and the first days

01:29Joanne (Patient from England): The surgery was really quick. He came in and said: you'll be alright, I know what I'm doing. So yeah, it was great.

01:41Michael (Patient from London): The first two days there was a lot of nausea – you do feel sick. But every day you get a little bit better. Today I feel not 100%, but I'm getting better.

01:54Luke (Patient from England): I was surprised I was walking so quickly. It went really well. And then just walking up and down the hallway every couple of hours was easy.

02:06On screen: 4 nights in hospital – You stay in hospital until discharge – no hotel transfer.

02:10 · Aftercare

02:14Dawn (Patient from the UK): I came here on my own, and I've never felt on my own. I've always felt looked after. He's always put me at ease.

02:24Paula (Patient from the UK): You said it's four days in the hospital. Now everything is coming like you said.

02:31Op. Dr. Volkan Arayıcı (Bariatric surgeon, İzmir): Please just keep walking. When you go home, return to your normal life. It's so important.

02:43 · Would you do it again?

02:46Louise (Patient from the UK): So you would recommend us 100%? – 110%. – 110%? – 110%, yes. Definitely.

02:56Joanne (Patient from England): Yeah, 100%, definitely recommend. I would come back again.

03:05Sylvia (75, patient from the UK): I would recommend people to come. I believe I'm one of the oldest.

03:15Louise (Patient from the UK): So yeah, just take the step – just go for it. Hopefully in a year's time I'll be standing here a completely new person.

How it works with us today

The interviews were recorded over several years, so some details reflect the time of recording. Today:

  • Day 1: arrival, transfer from the airport straight to the hospital, admission and blood tests only
  • Day 2: ultrasound, echocardiogram, cardiology, chest and anaesthesia checks in the morning – if everything is fine, surgery around midday
  • Four nights in hospital until discharge – no hotel transfer
  • Five days in Turkey in total; on day five, transfer straight to the airport
  • Twelve months of aftercare by video call and WhatsApp

Free assessment – send your height, weight and age; Op. Dr. Volkan Arayıcı replies personally.

Your questions to Op. Dr. Volkan Arayıcı

Send me your height, weight and age – I will tell you personally which operation is suitable and what it costs. A gastric sleeve costs from £3,000 as a fixed price, including pre-operative tests, four nights in hospital until discharge – no hotel – transfers, an interpreter and twelve months of aftercare; the flight is not included.

Whether an operation is right for you is decided individually. Results are not guaranteed.

Free assessment – send your height, weight and age; Op. Dr. Volkan Arayıcı replies personally.

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VA

Op. Dr. Volkan Arayıcı

Specialist in Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery · Izmir, Turkey

✓ IFSO Member✓ 5,000+ Surgeries✓ Specialist since 2014

This article was written and medically reviewed by Op. Dr. Volkan Arayıcı. Dr. Arayıcı has been exclusively specialising in bariatric surgery since 2014 and has performed over 5,000 procedures at a JCI- and TEMOS-accredited hospital in Izmir.

✍ Published: November 3, 2026 · 🔄 Updated: November 9, 2026 · About the author →