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Bariatric surgery · UK

Sleeve gastrectomy - a stomach-reducing operation for lasting weight loss.

Consultant-led laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for adults with obesity - removing around three-quarters of the stomach to reduce hunger, portion size and long-term weight-related illness.

See indicative pricing
A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What private sleeve gastrectomy costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across our partner units.

In short

£10,500–£15,500, home in 1–2 nights.

Option Indicative range
Bariatric consultation and MDT £350–£600
Full pre-operative work-up (bloods, ECG, endoscopy) £900–£1,500
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (self-pay, all-inclusive) £10,500–£15,500
Revisional sleeve (band to sleeve, sleeve to bypass) £13,500–£19,000
Dietitian follow-up (per session) £120–£200
Psychology support (per session) £140–£220
Structured 24-month aftercare package £1,800–£3,200

Prices vary by site, by complexity, and by whether add-on care is needed.

The problem

The right operation, the right team, and honest follow-up for years, not months.

Weight-loss surgery is where private clinics quietly under-deliver ’ MDT skipped, operation picked to fit the surgeon rather than the patient, and follow-up that stops the day you go home.

  • Confirm the operation

    Sleeve is not right for everyone. Reflux, dominant diabetes and prior surgery all steer the decision toward bypass or a different route.

  • Match the team

    A named consultant with a bariatric-trained anaesthetist, dietitian and psychologist ’ not a surgeon alone.

  • Plan the years after

    Weight loss is a two-year project. We insist on a structured 24-month follow-up plan before booking, not after.

When it helps

When a sleeve gastrectomy is the right step.

The situations where sleeve is a strong option, plus the times a different operation ’ or none at all ’ is a better answer.

  • BMI 40 or above

    The classic indication ’ severe obesity where diet and medication have not produced durable weight loss.

  • BMI 35+ with type 2 diabetes

    Weight-loss surgery can put type 2 diabetes into remission in a majority of patients with a BMI over 35.

  • Obstructive sleep apnoea

    Sustained weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy often reduces or removes the need for CPAP.

  • Fatty liver disease

    Sleeve reliably reverses steatosis in most patients and improves liver enzymes within months.

  • Weight-related joint pain

    Hip and knee osteoarthritis often improve substantially as weight comes off, and can defer joint replacement.

  • Fertility and PCOS

    Sleeve improves ovulation, menstrual regularity and fertility in women with PCOS.

  • Revision after a failed band

    A gastric band that has slipped, eroded or simply stopped working can be converted to a sleeve.

  • Red flag: uncontrolled binge eating

    Active binge-eating disorder is treated first ’ surgery on an untreated eating disorder rarely works and can cause harm.

Procedure options

The approach depends on your history.

Sleeve is the most common bariatric operation in the UK, but not the only one. Here is how the alternatives compare.

  • Sleeve gastrectomy

    The most common bariatric operation in the UK ’ a straightforward, durable procedure with a strong safety record.

  • Gastric bypass

    A Roux-en-Y bypass rearranges the stomach and small bowel ’ often preferred where reflux or diabetes is dominant.

  • Mini gastric bypass

    A one-anastomosis alternative ’ shorter operating time, good weight loss, slightly higher reflux risk.

  • Adjustable gastric band

    Rarely offered now in the UK ’ largely superseded by sleeve and bypass because of long-term failure rates.

  • Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty

    A stitched, incisionless alternative for patients with BMI 30–40 ’ less weight loss, quicker recovery.

  • Balloon and other endoscopic options

    Six or twelve-month intragastric balloon for short-term weight loss before definitive surgery.

  • GLP-1 medication

    Semaglutide or tirzepatide with dietitian support ’ appropriate for some patients before or instead of surgery.

  • Revisional surgery

    Band to sleeve, sleeve to bypass or bypass revision for weight regain or complications.

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

Sleeve gastrectomy has an excellent safety record in experienced hands. The details that matter are staple-line technique, MDT support and structured aftercare.

  • General anaesthetic

    Sleeve is done under general anaesthetic by a bariatric-trained anaesthetist. Pre-op review filters out unfit patients.

  • Bleeding

    Staple-line bleeding is uncommon (under 2 percent) and is usually managed without a second operation.

  • Staple-line leak

    The most feared complication ’ under 1 percent in experienced hands. On-table leak-testing and post-op monitoring reduce risk.

  • Stricture

    Narrowing of the sleeve can cause vomiting ’ managed with endoscopic dilatation in most cases.

  • Reflux

    New or worsened reflux occurs in around 20 percent. PPIs help. Occasionally, conversion to bypass is needed.

  • Nutritional deficiency

    Iron, B12, vitamin D and thiamine deficiency ’ prevented with lifelong supplements and monitoring.

  • Weight regain

    Some regain after 3–5 years is common. Dietitian, psychology and, occasionally, revisional surgery help.

  • Gallstones

    Rapid weight loss increases gallstone risk. Ursodeoxycholic acid is often prescribed for six months.

  • Red flags after surgery

    Severe pain, fever, fast heart rate, breathlessness or persistent vomiting needs the same-day team, not a routine call.

Reading your notes

Your notes in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whether it is a first sleeve or a revision, the operation record and discharge summary keep to the same shape.

A UK consultant reviewing a patient’s notes

A quiet reminder

Bariatric notes are precise ’ we translate them for you.

If you want us to walk you through the operation record, diet plan and warning signs before your review, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Operation and stay

    Date, operating consultant, procedure performed, length of stay and any drains or medications on discharge.

  2. 02 Findings

    Intra-operative findings

    Anatomy noted at surgery, adhesions, hiatus hernia repair if performed, and staple-line details.

  3. 03 Histology

    Sleeve specimen

    The removed stomach is sent to pathology to exclude unexpected disease.

  4. 04 Impression

    Aftercare plan

    Read this first: diet stage, supplements, warning signs, and the schedule of follow-up appointments.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Bariatric surgery is covered by many corporate and higher-tier policies where BMI and comorbidity criteria are met.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about sleeve gastrectomy.

Quick answers on eligibility, cost, recovery and how much weight to expect to lose.

  • How much does a private sleeve gastrectomy cost in the UK?

    All-inclusive self-pay packages typically run £10,500–£15,500 in 2026, covering consultation, pre-op work-up, surgery, hospital stay and 12 months of follow-up. Revisional surgery and complex cases sit higher.

  • Am I eligible for a gastric sleeve?

    Most UK bariatric units use BMI 40 or above, or BMI 35+ with a serious weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea or hypertension. Some accept BMI 30–35 where diabetes is poorly controlled.

  • How much weight will I lose after a sleeve?

    Most people lose 60–70 percent of their excess weight over 12–18 months. Long-term results depend on eating patterns, activity and follow-up ’ not on the operation alone.

  • How long is recovery after sleeve gastrectomy?

    One to two nights in hospital, back to office work in 2–3 weeks, and light exercise from 4 weeks. A liquid, then puree, then soft diet is followed for around six weeks before returning to solid food.

  • What are the main risks?

    Staple-line leak (under 1 percent), bleeding, stricture, reflux and, longer term, nutritional deficiency and some weight regain. Structured follow-up is what keeps the numbers low.

  • Does the NHS offer sleeve gastrectomy, and why go private?

    Yes ’ the NHS funds bariatric surgery through weight-management services, but waits are long and criteria strict. Private routes are used for speed, choice of consultant, and a package that includes psychology and long-term follow-up.

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