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Questions and answers

Gastric sleeve questions

Short, straight answers, with a link to the full guide for each.

Free check · about a minute

Am I eligible?

See where your BMI sits against the usual criteria, what it costs in Ireland and what the HSE, insurance and tax relief can do. A surgeon always makes the final call.

Your height and weight never leave your device. If you ask a clinic to contact you, we send only a BMI band and your answers, with your consent.

Step 1 of 7

Your height and weight

We work out your BMI here on the page. Nothing is sent.

cm
kg
Your BMI–

Enter your height and weight.

Do you have any of these?

Tick all that apply. These are the conditions surgeons look for at a BMI of 35 to 40.

What have you tried before?

Tick all that apply. A clinic asks this at the first consultation.

Which option are you looking at?

Pick the closest. You can change your mind at the consultation.

How would you like to go about it?

Your result explains the cost and the wait for each route.

When, and where are you?

The clinic uses your county to plan consultations and check-ups near you.

Your result
Where should the clinic contact you?

One Irish clinic gets your enquiry, nobody else. They contact you to arrange a consultation with a surgeon. Nothing is booked unless you say yes.

Thank you

Your enquiry is on its way to one Irish clinic. Here's what happens next:

  1. Today. We pass your answers to one clinic whose bariatric surgeons are on the Medical Council's Specialist Register. No one else gets them.
  2. Usually within two working days. The clinic rings or texts you to arrange a first consultation.
  3. At the consultation. A surgeon and the team assess you, explain your options and give you a written quote. Nothing is booked unless you say yes.

Changed your mind? Email hello@gastricsleeve.ie and we'll delete your enquiry and tell the clinic.

The answers

What is a gastric sleeve?

An operation that removes about 80% of the stomach by keyhole surgery, leaving a narrow tube, so you feel full on much less food. Sleeve gastrectomy explained.

How much does a gastric sleeve cost in Ireland?

About €6,500 to €10,000 paying yourself. A bypass is about €7,500 to €12,600 and a balloon about €3,400 to €4,900. The cost in Ireland.

Who is eligible for a gastric sleeve?

Usually adults with a BMI of 40 or more, or 35 to 40 with a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea, for whom surgery is safe and who can commit to lifelong follow-up. The criteria.

Can I get a gastric sleeve on the HSE?

Yes, through a GP referral to an HSE specialist obesity service. There's no hospital charge, but the HSE did 208 operations in 2024 and waits can run to years. The HSE route.

Does health insurance cover it?

Many Irish hospital plans cover listed bariatric operations when you meet the criteria and get pre-approval. A pre-existing condition wait of up to five years can apply on a new policy. Insurance.

Can I claim tax relief?

Yes, usually: relief at 20% on what you pay yourself, claimed through Revenue's myAccount. Tax relief.

How long is recovery?

One to three days in hospital, two to three weeks before a desk job for many people, about six weeks before heavy lifting, and a balanced diet again from about week twelve. Recovery week by week.

How much weight will I lose?

The HSE says surgery with lifestyle changes can lead to 20% to 40% of your weight. One NHS unit reports up to 25 to 30% after a sleeve. Results vary and nobody can promise a number.

What are the risks?

Blood clots, a staple-line leak, infection, a blocked gut, gallstones, reflux, vitamin loss and excess skin. Serious complications are uncommon but real. Risks explained.

Is a sleeve or a bypass better?

Neither for everyone. A bypass usually gives a little more weight loss and helps reflux and diabetes; a sleeve is simpler. Sleeve vs bypass.

Should I go to Turkey?

It's your decision. Prices are often less than half, but the EU schemes don't cover Turkey, travel doesn't get tax relief, and your follow-up still happens at home. Turkey vs Ireland.

Are weight-loss injections an alternative?

For some people. Trials show about 15% to 20% weight loss on Wegovy or Mounjaro, less than surgery, and weight tends to return after stopping. Talk to your GP. Injections vs surgery.

Who runs this site?

Bartlomiej Standa, trading as Elevate Ireland. It's an independent guide and introduction service, not a clinic. How this site works.

What happens after I send my answers?

We pass them to one Irish clinic. The clinic usually contacts you within two working days to arrange a consultation. Nothing is booked unless you say yes.

Can I withdraw my enquiry?

Yes, at any time. Email hello@gastricsleeve.ie and we'll delete it and tell the clinic. Privacy notice.

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Check where you stand in about a minute

Your BMI against the usual criteria and the cost in Ireland. Free, private and no obligation.

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