Gastric Sleeve Surgery Gone Wrong: Your Rights After Bariatric Malpractice in Turkey

Bariatric surgery has become a widely accepted and effective method for treating obesity and its related health complications. Among the most popular procedures is the gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy), which reduces the size of the stomach to promote weight loss. Turkey, with its advanced medical tourism infrastructure and cost-effective treatments, attracts thousands of international patients each year for these procedures.
Most gastric sleeve surgeries go well, but complications sometimes happen and can change your life. If these problems are caused by medical negligence, you may have the right to seek legal compensation in Turkey.
At Oran Partners, Turkey’s only law firm focused solely on medical malpractice, we help clients, especially international patients, who have suffered from botched bariatric surgeries. In this article, we explain how these complications happen, how to recognize malpractice, and what steps you can take to seek justice.

What Is a Gastric Sleeve and How Can It Go Wrong?

A gastric sleeve procedure removes about 75 to 80 percent of the stomach, leaving a narrow “sleeve” that limits how much you can eat and changes hunger hormones. The surgery is usually successful, but there are risks, especially if it is not done or managed properly.

Common complications resulting from medical negligence include:

  • Staple line leaks, which can cause life-threatening infections
  • Postoperative infections due to poor sterilization practices
  • Severe acid reflux, nausea, or vomiting not properly addressed
  • Internal bleeding or injury to nearby organs such as the spleen or liver
  • Negligent follow-up care, failing to detect early signs of complications
  • Improper patient assessment, including operating on individuals with contraindicated medical conditions
While not every complication is grounds for a malpractice claim, you may have a case if your injury resulted from a breach in the accepted medical standard of care.

When a Gastric Sleeve Surgery Becomes Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the standard of care that a reasonably competent professional would have provided in the same situation.

In gastric sleeve surgery, malpractice might involve:

  • Performing the procedure without proper preoperative assessment (e.g., failing to evaluate existing conditions or psychological readiness)
  • Using outdated or inappropriate surgical techniques
  • Failure to provide informed consent, including not explaining the risks and alternatives
  • Inadequate postoperative care, such as ignoring early signs of infection or leakage
  • Failing to refer the patient for urgent intervention when complications develop
In these scenarios, the surgeon, medical team, or hospital may be legally liable for any resulting harm.

Legal Steps to Take After a Botched Gastric Sleeve

If you suspect that your complications resulted from negligence, it is essential to act quickly and follow a clear process:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Your health comes first. Visit a trusted hospital or surgeon, ideally someone not connected to the original clinic, for evaluation and treatment. Ask for all findings and imaging to be clearly documented.

2. Collect and Secure Medical Records

Request a complete copy of your:
  • Preoperative assessments
  • Consent forms
  • Surgical reports and operative notes
  • Discharge papers and post-op follow-up instructions
These documents are critical for building a malpractice case.

3. Document the Harm

Keep detailed records of:
  • Symptoms and complications (photos, videos)
  • Medical bills and treatment expenses
  • Any lost income or inability to work
  • Emotional trauma and physical discomfort

4. Consult a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Legal support is crucial in complex cases involving surgical negligence. A specialized lawyer will:
  • Review your records
  • Consult medical experts
  • Determine if the standard of care was breached
  • Prepare your claim and represent yourself under Turkish law
At Oran Partners, we have helped both Turkish and international clients recover compensation after gastric sleeve malpractice, providing legal-medical guidance throughout the process.

What Compensation Can You Claim?

If malpractice is proven, you may be entitled to damages that cover both financial and emotional losses.

Possible compensation includes:

  • Corrective medical procedures, including reversal surgeries
  • Ongoing healthcare costs, such as nutritional therapy or infection management
  • Lost wages or income potential if your ability to work is reduced
  • Pain and suffering, including emotional trauma and psychological distress
  • Travel and accommodation costs for extended or repeat medical treatment
  • The exact amount will depend on the severity of your injury, the level of negligence, and your documented losses.

Special Considerations for International Patients

A significant number of patients seeking gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey come from Europe, the UK, the Middle East, North America, and Australia. While Turkish law still governs malpractice claims, cross-border issues can create additional challenges, such as:
  • Language barriers
  • Lack of familiarity with Turkish legal procedures
  • Difficulty accessing records remotely
  • Communication breakdowns with overseas clinics

At Oran Partners, we offer:

  • Multilingual legal services
  • Virtual consultations via Zoom or phone
  • Translation of documents and case files
  • Court representation without requiring you to return to Turkey
  • Our experience in handling cases involving international medical tourists ensures that distance does not prevent justice.

Statute of Limitations: Act Without Delay

Medical malpractice claims in Turkey are governed by strict legal deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, which define how long you have to take legal action after experiencing negligence. These deadlines vary depending on factors such as:

  • The type of medical procedure involved (e.g., elective cosmetic surgery vs. emergency treatment)

  • The nature of the injury and how it affects the patient long-term

  • The timing of the discovery of the malpractice

  • Whether the case involves standard negligence or criminal misconduct

For example, claims related to cosmetic and aesthetic procedures may be treated differently from claims involving emergency care or chronic condition mismanagement. In some situations, a patient may not immediately recognize that a mistake occurred—such as when complications develop gradually or medical records are concealed. In such cases, Turkish law may allow for a more flexible interpretation of the time limit.

However, these exceptions are not guaranteed. Once the maximum allowable period expires, your ability to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Turkey may be permanently lost, regardless of the severity of your injury or the strength of your case.

Take Action Early

If you believe you are a victim of medical malpractice in Istanbul, the most effective step you can take is to consult a specialized malpractice lawyer as early as possible. A legal expert can help you:

  • Assess whether your case falls within the legal time frame

  • Gather and preserve critical evidence before it becomes unavailable

  • File your complaint properly and without delay

Law firms like Oran Partners

 

Why Choose Oran Partners?

Oran Partners is Turkey’s only law firm that exclusively handles medical malpractice. With years of experience, particularly in bariatric surgery claims, we offer:
A deep understanding of gastric sleeve surgery and its risks
Legal-medical collaboration to build airtight cases
Access to leading Turkish and international medical experts
Success in recovering compensation for international clients
Clear, honest communication in multiple languages

Take the First Step Toward Justice

If you or a loved one has suffered complications from botched gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Medical negligence should not be ignored, especially when it affects your long-term health, livelihood, and quality of life.
Contact Oran Partners today for a free consultation.
We’ll evaluate your case, explain your options, and help you pursue justice with the care and confidence you deserve.