Key Takeaways
- Check the hospital first: Temos or TÜSKA accreditation, a fully equipped adult ICU and Ministry of Health authorisation.
- Check the surgeon by name: specialist training, IFSO membership and real bariatric experience.
- Ask for a written, itemised quote — and know exactly what is included and what isn’t (hotel nights are often separate).
- Choose a clinic whose aftercare continues after you fly home to the UK.
In this guide: The hospital The surgeon Pricing & inclusions UK aftercare FAQ
Weight loss surgery abroad can be a safe, well-organised choice — if you know what to check before you book. This guide sets out the safety standards, surgeon checks and aftercare questions that matter most.
On the NHS, the wait for a gastric sleeve or bypass now typically runs to two years or more — around 22–34 months from GP referral (see our NHS waiting times guide). During that time, obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea and joint pain can get worse.
Turkey — and Antalya in particular — has become one of the most popular destinations for UK patients. That popularity brings a lot of choice, and standards vary. Knowing how to check a clinic’s safety, certification and experience is the most important step you can take.
1. Check the hospital: accreditation and infrastructure
A clinic is only as safe as the hospital it operates in. In the UK you rely on the CQC (Care Quality Commission); in Turkey, look for these:
- TÜSKA or Temos accreditation — independent standards for hygiene, patient safety and emergency response.
- A fully equipped adult ICU — bariatric surgery is routine, but an intensive care unit on site is a non-negotiable safety net for any major operation.
- Ministry of Health authorisation — the clinic should hold an official International Health Tourism Authorisation Certificate issued by the Turkish Ministry of Health.
At NewMe, bariatric operations take place at Anatolia Hospital in Antalya, one of our contracted institutions, accredited by Temos for Quality in Medical Care. NewMe holds health tourism authorisation certificate No. AK-0051.
2. Verify your surgeon’s credentials
A comfortable hotel means nothing if your surgeon lacks experience. Ask for your surgeon’s full name, check their specialist training and membership of IFSO (the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders), and ask how many bariatric operations they perform. At NewMe, bariatric procedures are performed by two IFSO-member surgeons:
Prof. Dr. Nurullah Bülbüller
Professor of Surgery with decades of academic and clinical bariatric practice, specialising in laparoscopic obesity surgery and complex cases.
Op. Dr. Mani Habibi
Co-founder of NewMe and co-author of more than 40 scientific publications. Dr. Habibi specialises in laparoscopic weight loss surgery, with a patient-first approach to lifelong follow-up.
3. Ask for a written, itemised quote
A reputable clinic is upfront about costs. Package pricing is popular with UK patients because it removes much of the logistical stress — but check exactly what the package includes, and what it doesn’t. A safe bariatric package should include:
- Comprehensive pre-op screening (blood tests, ECG, chest X-ray, ultrasound)
- The operation itself (gastric sleeve, bypass or balloon)
- Hospital stay in a private room (3–4 nights for a gastric sleeve)
- VIP transfers between the airport, hotel and hospital
- An aftercare kit with medications and a one-month supply of protein shakes
- One year of dietitian support and online follow-up consultations
Hotel nights: at NewMe, hotel nights after discharge are not part of the surgery package. They are booked separately and listed in your written quote, so you see the full cost before you decide.
Swipe the table on mobile →
| Route | Typical waiting time | Estimated cost | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHS (UK) | Around 22–34 months | Free | — |
| UK private clinic | 2–4 weeks | £9,000–£20,000 | Often surgery only |
| NewMe (Turkey) | Usually 2–4 weeks | See current prices | Surgery, hospital, VIP transfers, medications, dietitian — hotel separate |
4. Don’t compromise on UK aftercare
Surgery is only the start — the real work of weight loss begins when you get home. The clearest difference between clinics is what happens after you fly back.
At NewMe, follow-up continues after your flight home: dietitian guidance, a direct WhatsApp line to the medical team, scheduled online check-ins through the first year and a GP-ready English surgical report. Our bariatric surgeons also hold in-person follow-up clinics in the UK twice a year, in rotating cities, with dates announced to patients in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for surgery in Turkey?
British citizen passport holders can visit Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism or business. For travel for medical purposes, GOV.UK advises checking Turkey’s official visa information — your coordinator can help you confirm what applies before you book. Your passport must be valid for at least 150 days from your arrival date. See the GOV.UK entry requirements for Turkey.
Can a friend or family member come with me?
Yes — a companion is a real help during recovery. Your companion can stay with you in your private hospital room at no extra lodging cost, and we can book a hotel room for you both for the nights after discharge (hotel nights are charged separately).
How long will I stay in Turkey?
Usually about 6–7 days in total: 3–4 nights in hospital, then 2–3 nights resting in a hotel. After a final check-up, your surgeon gives you fit-to-fly clearance; the flight to the UK takes about 4 hours.
How can I check a clinic’s Ministry of Health authorisation?
Ask for the certificate number of its International Health Tourism Authorisation and verify it. NewMe’s certificate is No. AK-0051, issued by the Turkish Ministry of Health, and our travel agency licence is TÜRSAB Group A No. 13866.
Ask us anything on this checklist — accreditation, surgeon CVs, a written quote. We answer with documents, not promises.
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