Gastric sleeve surgery is not merely an operation intended to reduce the size of the stomach. The patient’s metabolic condition, heart and lung health, stomach anatomy, vitamin and mineral balance, suitability for anaesthesia, and ability to adapt to postoperative lifestyle changes must all be assessed together.

For medical tourism patients who wish to undergo gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey in particular, the correct planning of preoperative tests is one of the most important steps in ensuring safe surgery. In the approach adopted by Op. Dr. Serkan Tüğen and Healthylife Clinic, the aim is to prepare the patient for surgery in the most appropriate way, identify potential risks in advance, and create a safe, personalised surgical pathway.

Why Is Preoperative Assessment Important Before Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Preoperative assessment is performed to determine whether the patient is suitable for gastric sleeve surgery. Not every person who is overweight is automatically a candidate for surgery.

Body mass index, associated medical conditions, previous weight-loss attempts, reflux or stomach-related complaints, current medications, and psychological readiness should all be evaluated together.

Which Blood Tests Are Performed Before Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Blood tests are among the fundamental assessments used to evaluate the patient’s general health before surgery. Anaemia, signs of infection, blood glucose levels, liver and kidney function, coagulation status, and vitamin or mineral deficiencies can all be identified before the operation.

Commonly requested blood tests may include:

• Complete blood count

• Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c

• Liver and kidney function tests

• Electrolyte levels

• Coagulation tests

• Thyroid function tests

• Iron, ferritin, vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin D levels

• Lipid profile

• Insulin resistance and hormone tests in selected patients

Is Endoscopy Performed Before Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Endoscopy before gastric sleeve surgery may be important for evaluating the stomach and oesophagus. It can help identify gastritis, ulcers, hiatal hernia, signs of reflux, polyps, or other stomach-related conditions.

These findings may affect the surgical plan.

Endoscopy becomes particularly important in patients who experience reflux, heartburn, have a previous history of stomach disease, or have used stomach medication for a long period. In some cases, a different type of bariatric surgery may be considered instead of gastric sleeve surgery.

How Are the Heart and Lungs Evaluated?

Heart and lung health should be assessed before bariatric surgery. An ECG, chest X-ray, respiratory evaluation, and, when necessary, a cardiology consultation may be requested.

If the patient has sleep apnoea, shortness of breath, hypertension, a heart rhythm disorder, or a history of heart disease, the process is planned in greater detail.

Lung capacity and respiratory safety are important in relation to general anaesthesia. Smoking, sleep apnoea, and physical inactivity may increase postoperative respiratory risks.

For this reason, additional tests and specialist opinions may be required in higher-risk patients.

Which Checks Are Performed Before Anaesthesia?

Gastric sleeve surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. Therefore, the patient is assessed by an anaesthesiologist before the operation.

Current medications, allergies, previous experiences with anaesthesia, chronic diseases, sleep apnoea, hypertension, and diabetes are reviewed.

The purpose of the anaesthetic assessment is to improve safety during surgery. Some medications may need to be discontinued before the operation, while others may require dose adjustment.

Blood thinners, diabetes medications, and blood pressure medications must always be managed under medical supervision.

Is Dietitian and Psychological Assessment Necessary?

Gastric sleeve surgery is not only a surgical procedure. It is a process that requires long-term lifestyle changes.

For this reason, evaluating the patient’s eating habits before surgery is important. During the dietitian assessment, protein intake, fluid consumption, night eating habits, sweet cravings, and portion control are reviewed.

Some patients may also require psychological assessment. Identifying binge eating, emotional eating, depression, anxiety, alcohol use, or potential difficulties in adapting to the postoperative process may help improve treatment success.

Are Imaging Tests Performed Before Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

The same imaging tests may not be required for every patient.

However, abdominal ultrasound may be requested to evaluate gallstones, fatty liver disease, or other intra-abdominal conditions. Some patients may also require a chest X-ray, advanced imaging, or consultations with other medical specialties.

Conditions commonly associated with obesity, such as fatty liver disease, gallstones, reflux, and hiatal hernia, may affect the surgical plan.

For this reason, imaging tests are selected according to the patient’s medical history and physical examination.

How Are Medical Tourism Patients Prepared Before Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

The process should be planned more carefully for patients travelling to Turkey for gastric sleeve surgery.

While the patient is still in their home country, their current weight, height, medical conditions, medications, previous operations, and any available test results are reviewed.

After arrival in Turkey, the required preoperative tests are completed and surgical suitability is confirmed.

At Healthylife Clinic, the aim for medical tourism patients is to make the entire process clear and manageable, including the initial consultation, test planning, hospital organisation, surgical preparation, discharge education, and follow-up after returning home.

Flight planning, postoperative nutrition education, and information about urgent warning signs are particularly important.

Can Test Results Delay the Surgery?

Yes. Some test results may require surgery to be postponed.

If the patient has uncontrolled diabetes, severe anaemia, an active infection, significant vitamin or mineral deficiency, serious heart or lung risk, an active ulcer, or a high anaesthetic risk, these conditions should be treated or stabilised first.

Postponing surgery should not be considered a negative outcome.

On the contrary, it is a protective decision made to prepare the patient for surgery under safer conditions.

Conclusion

A successful result in gastric sleeve surgery begins not on the day of the operation, but with proper preparation beforehand.

With his expertise in general surgery, Op. Dr. Serkan Tüğen evaluates the patient’s degree of obesity, stomach health, metabolic condition, associated diseases, and suitability for anaesthesia as a whole.

The aim of the Healthylife Clinic approach is to provide both local and international patients considering gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey with a safe, transparent, personalised, and closely monitored preoperative preparation process.

The correct tests, appropriate patient selection, and regular follow-up form the foundation of safe bariatric surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Endoscopy Mandatory Before Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

The approach may vary between medical centres.

However, endoscopy is particularly important for surgical planning in patients with suspected reflux, gastritis, ulcers, or hiatal hernia.

When Are Blood Tests Performed Before Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Blood tests are generally performed during the preoperative preparation period.

If deficiencies or risk factors are identified in the results, the necessary treatment or adjustments can be made before surgery.

Is a Cardiology Examination Required Before Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

A cardiology assessment may be required in patients with heart disease, hypertension, heart rhythm disorders, shortness of breath, or significant cardiovascular risk factors.

Is a Chest X-Ray Taken Before Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

A chest X-ray or respiratory assessment may be requested for many patients.

It is particularly important in patients who smoke, have sleep apnoea, or experience shortness of breath.

Is a Diet Required Before Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Some patients may be advised to follow a special preoperative diet to reduce fatty liver changes and make the surgery technically easier.

The plan is determined individually.

Is Surgery Cancelled If a Problem Is Found in the Tests?

Not every abnormal result leads to cancellation of the operation.

In some cases, the condition can be treated or corrected, and the surgery can then be safely rescheduled.

Do Medical Tourism Patients Have Their Tests in Turkey?

The preliminary assessment is usually performed online.

However, a significant proportion of the tests required to confirm final surgical suitability may be completed after the patient arrives in Turkey.