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What is Obesity?

Obesity is a complex condition primarily caused by excess body fat. Obesity is more than a cosmetic issue. This medical condition increases the risk of many other illnesses and health issues. Heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, liver disease, sleep apnea, and many forms of cancer are among them.

Some people find it difficult to lose weight for various reasons. Sometimes, obesity is caused by a combination of environment, physiology, genetic variables, diet, exercise, and physical activity choices.

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

Obesity must be treated in time to prevent significant health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and some types of cancer. Early treatment can improve general health and well-being by reducing the risk of long-term diseases, improving quality of life, and helping with proper weight management. It also leads to better long-term control and successful weight loss.

What are the Common Symptoms of Obesity?

Common symptoms of obesity include the following:

  • Excessive Body Fat: Gaining much weight in the thighs, hips, and abdomen.
  • Breathlessness: Shortness of breath upon exertion
  • Fatigue: Weak and getting tired, even after rest.
  • Snoring or Sleep apnea refers to breathing difficulties that disturb sleep most of the time.
  • Excessive Sweating: Sweating more, especially at rest or exercising.
  • Difficulty moving around and, for this reason, being unable to carry out any physical activity.
  • Increased Appetite: Always feeling hungry or wanting to eat.
  • Mood Changes: Depressed, anxious, or low self-esteem feelings linked to weight-related problems.

Causes and Risk Factors of Obesity

Causes

  • Poor Diet: Consumption of processed snacks, sugary drinks, high-calorie foods, and low-nutrient fast food.
  • Lack of Physical Activity: Prolonged sitting and inactivity lead to lower caloric expenditure.
  • Genetics: Genetic predisposition, inherited genes, and family history may influence the body's way of storing fat and controlling metabolism.
  • Medical Conditions: Insulin resistance, hypothyroidism, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can increase the risk of obesity.
  • Hormonal Imbalances: Hormonal imbalances in leptin, ghrelin, and insulin may affect appetite and fat storage.
  • Emotional Factors: Overeating as a coping mechanism may be caused by stress, despair, and emotional eating.

Risk Factors

  • Age
  • Physical Inactivity
  • Poor Diet
  • Medical Conditions
  • Medications
  • Psychological Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Sleep Issues

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Latest Research and Technologies in the Treatment of Obesity in Turkey

Turkey has recently performed studies on enhancing obesity treatment by combining advanced medical technologies with drug options. While liraglutide has been shown to be a successful weight loss drug, new non-surgical weight management tools such as small intestine length modification provide promising alternatives. Successful treatment and prevention are essential because obesity carries a high economic burden in Turkey, where healthcare costs can reach billions of dollars.

Obesity Prevention Tips

Here are some tips for preventing obesity:

Keep Your Diet Balanced: Limit processed foods, sugar-filled beverages, and high-calorie snacks while eating a diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats.

Maintain Your Physical Activity Level: Try to get in at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as swimming, cycling, or walking, on most days of the week.

Control Portion Sizes: Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day and be aware of portion sizes to prevent overindulgence.

Keep Yourself Hydrated: Limit sugary drinks and sip water throughout the day.

Get Enough Sleep: Get between seven and nine hours of sound sleep every night. Lack of sleep can alter appetite hormones and cause overeating.

Treatment options for Obesity

Gastric Bypass: This technique prevents food intake and nutrient absorption by bypassing a portion of the small intestine and creating a tiny pouch-like stomach.


Cost Start From USD 4200 - USD 7500Explore Options

Sleeve Gastrectomy: A sleeve-shaped stomach that limits food intake is left behind after a significant section of the stomach is removed during a sleeve gastroscopy.


Cost Start From USD 3200 - USD 12000Explore Options

Lap Gastric Banding: restricts the amount of food consumed by wrapping a band around the upper part of the stomach to form a small pouch known as an Adjustable Gastric Banding or lap band.


Cost Start From USD 4000 - USD 8349Explore Options

  • Clinical assessment:
    • Physical Examination: A thorough physical examination evaluates overall health. This includes measuring waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index. It helps estimate body fat distribution and the possible risk of developing diabetes or heart problems.
    • Blood Tests: Blood tests are used to screen for potential subclinical medical disorders such as insulin resistance, hypothyroidism, hyperglycemia, and high cholesterol that could be associated with obesity.
  • Imaging Tests:
    • The DEXA scan is a test that measures bone density, lean mass, and fat mass. It provides a detailed assessment of fat distribution, which is essential to understand the health risks associated with obesity.
    • Ultrasound: Fatty liver and abdominal fat are common conditions in obese individuals, and ultrasound imaging can be used to assess these conditions.

Our MediRehab facilities, part of MediGence, offer physical therapy services for international patients. We also have convenient teleconsultation options so that patients all over the globe can receive expert treatment remotely. A few services such as:

  • Behaviouraltherapy is focused on solving emotional eating, developing self-control, and changing pathological eating habits. It may aid people in formulating and reaching weight loss objectives, and it may use support groups, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), or counselling.
  • Physical therapy: Customized exercise programs for obese individuals help improve their strength, cardiovascular fitness, and ambulation ability. A physical therapist can design low-impact exercises that can gradually raise the intensity of a patient's activity without harming the patient.
  • Depending on the situation, your healthcare professional may prescribe medicine to help control your symptoms and support the treatment plan.

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Hospitals for Obesity in Turkey

Medical Park Fatih Hospital: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Medical Park Fatih Hospital

Istanbul, Turkey

Medical Park Fatih Hospital located in Istanbul, Turkey is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • Situated in an area of 6500 m2
  • Capacity of 84 beds
  • Emergency Clinic
  • ICU
  • Many special services, including but not limited to T.V. (all domestic and international canals are available), Internet, patient-specific diet and journals and newspapers, are offered to patients to maximize satisfaction
  • Private rooms for patients available
  • Family accommodation
  • Pharmacy
  • Laundry
  • Mobility accessible rooms
  • Parking lot
  • Prayer Room
  • Cafeteria
Antalya Anadolu Hastanesi: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Antalya Anadolu Hastanesi

Antalya, Turkey

Apart from in-detail treatment procedures available, Antalya Anadolu Hastanesi located in Antalya , Turkey has a wide variety of facilities available for International Patients. Some of the facilities which are provided by them are Accommodation, Airport Transfer, Choice of Meals, Interpreter, TV inside room. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • A technological powerhouse, it provides 24*7 trauma care.
  • 4 suites and 54 luxurious rooms
  • 3 exceptional operating theatres
  • 3 Intensive Care Units
  • Efficient and capable healthcare personnel
  • Focus on patient care, reasonable prices
  • State of the art diagnostics setup
  • Recognised for providing integrated care for complex cases and rare cases
  • Latest 1.5 Tesla MR, 64 2 Multi-slice Computed Tomography (CT), coronary angiography, and panendoscope
  • Treatments such as angioplasty(PTCA), cryotherapy, IVF, ERCP, peritoneoscopy, facial palsies, and electro shock wave lithotripsy are available
  • Widely experienced and well educated healthcare professionals are at the forefront of healthcare delivery at the Antalya Anadolu Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
Biruni University Hospital: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Biruni University Hospital

Istanbul, Turkey

Biruni University Hospital started to serve in 2016. It is a full-fledged multi-specialty healthcare facility, situated in Istanbul, Turkey. The hospital is well-known for its outstanding medical care standards, and it has acquired numerous certificates from international quality organizations. It is a renowned & well-established healthcare facility that provides cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment approaches. They have a team of highly skilled doctors and surgeons on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to deliver the best medical care possible.

The hospital has various medical departments such as Cardiology, Neurology, Urology, Rheumatology, Pediatrics, General Medicine and Surgery, Gastroenterology, etc. Popular treatments conducted at the hospital are Pediatric Neurology, Cardiac Stenting, Balloon Angioplasty, Bypass surgery, plastic surgery procedures like Hair transplant, & Botox injections, and many more.  The hospital is known for its most valuable service i.e. service to human health. Hospital management & professionals define their service concept with the significance attached to the belief. The management is concerned with both medical statistics and, above all, the satisfaction of the patients. Patients from other countries are well looked after. The hospital offers international patients a relaxing and secure environment in terms of psychology, comfort, and health.

The hospital's primary purpose is to provide world-class patient-centered health care through our highly responsible team who can produce information and use it appropriately. With its university-based scientific infrastructure and competent health care, the hospital's management has long-term plans for it, with a desire to be an innovative and leading health institution that is regarded as a reference in the country and around the world. Several value-added services and quality policies are available at the facility. To mention a few, the hospital is open to development and technology, continuously measuring and improving, training qualified health professionals, caring about patient and employee satisfaction, and becoming mobilized to bring an environment of reliable diagnosis, treatment, and care to the majority of the society.

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Why Choose Turkey for Obesity Treatment?

Turkey is a popular destination for treating obesity for several significant reasons:

Affordable Healthcare: Compared to many Western countries, Turkey provides affordable treatment options, including weight loss programs and bariatric surgery, at a fraction of the cost.

Highly Trained Medical Professionals

Turkey has highly trained doctors and surgeons, many internationally qualified and aware of the latest obesity treatments.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Most Turkey hospitals are equipped with the latest medical technology to ensure quality care and follow international healthcare standards.

There are various treatment options, ranging from incredibly complex bariatric operations to non-surgical weight loss programs. Patients can expect therapy plans that address their specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

A well-balanced diet rich in nutritious food with limited portions will help you lose weight. Include common exercise, with 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, and drink plenty of water. Eat mindfully, get seven to nine hours of good sleep, and use yoga or other stress-reduction techniques. To maintain motivation, set reasonable weight loss objectives, don't skip meals, and surround yourself with encouraging people.

Bariatric surgery is a weight-loss method for severely obese individuals that alters the digestive tract to help the patient lose weight. The options include sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric banding, and gastric bypass. Candidates must have failed other efforts at weight loss and have a BMI of 40 or higher or 35 or higher with obesity-related medical conditions. To undergo the procedure, they must also be generally healthy and committed to lifestyle changes over the rest of their lives.

Although the recovery time after bariatric surgery in Turkey varies by patient and technique, it generally takes three to six weeks. Patients usually spend one to three days in the hospital immediately following surgery. The diet is liquid or soft food for the first few weeks, and rest is essential.

Most people can return to mild work or hobbies within two to three weeks, but physical activity should be avoided for four to six weeks. Complete healing takes six months, but readjusting to the new food and lifestyle changes may take up to three months.

There are several types of bariatric surgery, all of which aim at helping patients lose weight by effecting changes to the digestive system in some way:

Gastric Bypass: This technique prevents food intake and nutrient absorption by bypassing a portion of the small intestine and creating a tiny pouch-like stomach.

Sleeve gastrectomy: A sleeve-shaped stomach that limits food intake is left behind after a significant section of the stomach is removed during a sleeve gastroscopy.

Adjustable Gastric Banding: This technique restricts the amount of food consumed by wrapping a band around the upper part of the stomach to form a small pouch known as an Adjustable Gastric Banding or lap band.

Most patients experience a loss of between 50% and 70% of their excess weight within a year or two of bariatric surgery. However, this varies from patient to patient, depending on factors such as metabolism, lifestyle changes, and the surgery performed. After one year, weight loss tends to slow down; therefore, continuing healthy practices and annual check-ups are critical for long-term success.

Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and, in some cases, medical care or bariatric surgery can all help manage obesity, which can be a lifelong condition. Although it cannot be totally "cured," durability depends on making these adjustments to avoid weight gain and improve overall health.

Yes, bariatric surgery is available at many reputable hospitals throughout Turkey by physicians who are experts in weight-loss methods such as sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass.

Author

Dr. Abdullah Rahil
Dr. Abdullah Rahil

MPT (Neuro)

7 Years of Experience

Dr. Abdullah Rahil, M.P.T. (Neurology), is a dedicated physiotherapy professional specializing in orthopedic, neurological, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. With strong clinical expertise, he focuses on improving patient mobility, reducing pain, and restoring functional independence through evidence-based rehabilitation techniques. He is skilled in advanced therapeutic approaches that support effective rehabilitation and recovery for a wide range of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, focusing on improving mobility, reducing pain, and restoring functional independence. Dr. Rahil has extensive experience managing diverse rehabilitation cases. His patient-centered approach emphasizes personalized treatment plans, continuous assessment, and comprehensive rehabilitation to achieve optimal recovery outcomes. View More

Reviewer

Dr. Ashish George
Dr. Ashish George

Gastroenterologist

18 Years of Experience

Dr. Ashish George is one of the leading names in HPB surgery & liver transplantation and has about 18+ years of experience.He is a principal consultant & unit head of liver transplant at Fortis Shalimar Bagh. View More

Last Reviewed - January 2026