Gastric sleeve Turkey review: Josie's experience

What the video covers

Josie, 41, travelled from England to İzmir for a gastric sleeve after struggling with her weight for a long time. Interviewed by the clinic’s coordinator on day three after surgery, she explains how she chose the clinic and how the trip went.

She first looked at a clinic in Riga, Latvia, but found the price too high. When this clinic came up on Google, her first thought was that it looked too cheap, so she got in touch and asked everything: the procedure, the price and what was included. She sent her passport details and a copy of her flight booking, and the hospital confirmation arrived within 48 hours – the point at which, she says, she knew it was not a scam.

She booked her own direct flight from Manchester to İzmir, was met at the airport by a driver holding a board with her name, and was settled into her room on arrival, where each step was explained. She had been weighing up a gastric band, a sleeve and a bypass; the recommendation came after the coordinator had spoken to the surgeon. When she was in pain on the ward, she only had to tell her coordinator, who spoke to the doctor, and she was given painkillers. Her verdict: she would definitely recommend the surgeon and the team.

Filmed in October 2020. How it works today: day 1 arrival and blood tests; day 2 scans, specialist reviews and surgery around midday; four nights in hospital until discharge – no hotel; day 5 discharge and transfer to the airport. Flights are not included.