Best Obesity Doctors in Istanbul for Australians

Associate Professor Vahit Mutlu has performed over 1,100 surgical treatments, specialising in metabolic and weight-loss procedures at Istanbul's JCI-accredited Memorial Ataşehir Hospital.

• Performs sleeve gastrectomy, a procedure that reduces stomach size to limit food intake and hunger hormones
• Expert in gastric balloon insertions, providing non-surgical weight-loss options for those not ready for surgery
• Senior surgeon at Memorial Ataşehir Hospital, which meets rigorous international standards for patient safety and care
• Served as a Research Assistant at Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine

Dr Kaplan Baha Temizgonul has performed 1,100 bariatric procedures and is a graduate of Pamukkale University – the birthplace of sleeve gastrectomy in Turkey.

• Specialises in advanced laparoscopic surgery using small incisions for faster recovery
• Provides daily bedside visits to patients during their recovery in Istanbul
• Extensive experience in long-term care with some patient follow-ups reaching 17 years
• Trained at Bakirkoy Sadi Konuk, a high-volume surgical research and training centre

Dr. Abdulcabbar Kartal is a colorectal and general surgeon at Anadolu Medical Center. He specializes in HIPEC and bariatric surgery. He has performed over 500 bariatric procedures. Dr. Kartal holds certification from the European Society of Coloproctology (FEBS-C). He works at a clinic affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine.

• Completed over 650 surgical operations across major hospitals in Turkey.
• Certified by the Turkish Surgical Association for his surgical qualifications.
• Uses laser techniques for hemorrhoidal diseases and interventional endoscopic procedures.
• Member of the Turkish Association of Endoscopic Laparoscopic Surgery.

Professor Dr Samet Yardımcı is a standout in metabolic surgery, famously becoming Turkey's youngest gastroenterology surgeon after topping the national subspecialty entrance exams.

• Performed 900+ procedures focusing on laparoscopic obesity and metabolic surgery
• Trained in surgical oncology and organ transplant at MD Anderson in the USA
• Specialises in gastric balloon and minimally invasive weight loss techniques
• Former faculty at Marmara University specialising in inflammatory bowel and digestive surgery

Assistant Professor Omer Bilgehan Poyrazoglu specialises in metabolic and bariatric surgery, having completed advanced surgical training in France to master weight-loss procedures.

• Performs robotic-assisted surgery which uses smaller incisions for less pain and faster healing
• Member of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders
• Uses advanced laparoscopic techniques for gastric sleeve and bypass procedures
• Published research in peer-reviewed journals on gastrointestinal and bariatric outcomes
• Treats patients at Büyük Anadolu Hospitals using evidence-based surgical protocols

Dr. Halil Alis is a gastrointestinal surgeon and Medical Director at VM Medical Park Florya. He is a robotic surgery trainer using the Da Vinci system. Dr. Alis treats obesity, colorectal conditions, and complex digestive diseases. He has authored over 70 scientific papers in international medical journals.

• Active member of SAGES, EAES, IASGO, ISSO, and IFSO.
• Performs Da Vinci robotic gastric sleeve and bypass surgeries.
• Provides diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures like ERCP and EUS.
• Served as a manager at Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training Hospital.

Associate Professor Dr. Soykan Barlas is a general and transplant surgeon at Medical Park Göztepe Hospital. He specializes in kidney transplants and bariatric procedures like gastric sleeve surgery. Dr. Barlas completed laparoscopic training in Scotland. He holds a Certificate of Appreciation from the Turkish Ministry of Health.

• Serves as an academic lecturer at Demiroğlu Science University.
• Published over 20 articles in international medical journals.
• Authored book chapters on kidney and pancreas transplantation.
• Works at VM Medical Park, a JCI-accredited facility in Istanbul.

Dr. Levent Kaptanoglu is a general surgeon at VM Medical Park Pendik Hospital in Istanbul. He is a member of the American Society for Transplantation and Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Chirurgie. Dr. Kaptanoglu completed a fellowship at the Northwestern University Transplantation Unit in Chicago.

• Specializes in complex procedures like Whipple surgery and liver resection.
• Treats conditions including liver hemangioma, pancreatic cysts, and obesity.
• Performs surgeries for breast, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers.
• Sits on the boards of the Breast Surgery and Hepatobiliary Surgery Associations.

Dr Hanifi Onalan specialises in both surgical and non-surgical obesity treatments at Atlas University Hospital. He integrates endoscopic techniques to provide patients with effective weight loss options without traditional invasive surgery.

• Performs gastric balloon insertions to reduce stomach capacity without permanent changes
• Offers gastric botox injections to slow digestion and manage appetite
• Specialises in laparoscopic hernia repair for post-surgical recovery
• Holds a Videoendoscopy Application Certificate from Bakırkoy Dr Sadi Konuk Hospital
• Practises at a major university teaching hospital in Istanbul

Associate Professor Emine Yildirim is a senior general surgeon at Atlas University Hospital with a strong background in gastrointestinal and metabolic surgical care.

• Specialises in gastric and colorectal procedures to manage complex metabolic conditions
• Served as Chief Physician and Deputy Chief Physician across several major Turkish hospitals
• Published extensive research on gastric cancer and intestinal health in international journals
• Expert in minimally invasive techniques for abdominal and gastrointestinal surgery

Associate Professor Burcin Batman has performed over 1,100 obesity and metabolic procedures with a remarkably low 0.1% complication rate.

• Specialises in gastric sleeve surgery and endoscopic gastric balloon applications
• Appointed as Associate Professor at Istinye University Faculty of Medicine
• Focuses on metabolic surgery to treat weight-related health issues
• Trained at Istanbul University, one of Turkey's oldest medical schools
• Provides ongoing postoperative support with direct patient contact

Dr. Görkem Özgen is a general surgeon at Quartz Hospital, Istanbul. He specializes in metabolic surgery and the treatment of obesity. He graduated from Hacettepe University's English medical program. He later specialized in general surgery at Istanbul University.

• Performs weight loss surgeries, including gastric sleeve and gastric bypass.
• Treats abdominal wall hernias and diseases of the breast.
• Expertise covers anorectal disorders and post-bariatric reconstructive surgery.
• Works at Quartz Hospital, which treats 6,500+ international patients annually.

Professor Baris Demiriz specialises in bariatric surgery and holds membership with the International Federation of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders Surgery (IFSO).

• Focuses on laparoscopic surgery – a minimally invasive approach using small incisions for less scarring
• Member of the Turkish Obesity Surgery Association and the Endocrine Surgery Association
• Trained at Istanbul University – one of Turkey's oldest and most respected medical faculties
• Specialises in metabolic surgery to manage weight-related health conditions

Professor Burak Kavlakogluu is a senior surgical leader who previously served as the Head of General Surgery at Elazığ Education and Research Hospital.

• Specialises in obesity surgery and bariatric procedures at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital
• Holds the title of Professor – the highest academic rank in Turkish medical education
• Former Chief Physician with extensive experience managing complex surgical departments
• Trained at Ankara University, one of Turkey's oldest and most respected medical schools
• Expertise includes metabolic surgery and revision weight loss procedures

Dr Burak Kankaya is a specialist general surgeon at Valued Med Hub Hospitals who trained at the Cleveland Clinic's Centre for Endocrine Surgery in the USA.

• Specialises in metabolic surgery to treat obesity and related endocrine disorders
• Completed surgical residency at the prestigious Bakirkoy Dr Sadi Konuk Training Hospital
• Trained in Italy at the Universita Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
• Member of the Turkish Surgical Association
• Focuses on endocrine-based surgical weight loss solutions

Dr. Cengiz Dibekoglu performed the first robotic general surgery operation in Turkey. He is a specialist in laparoscopy and robotic procedures at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital. Dr. Dibekoglu focuses on colorectal, gastrointestinal, and weight loss surgeries. He trained at Marmara University and Istanbul University.

• Specializes in Da Vinci robotic gastroectomy, gastric sleeve, and bypass surgeries.
• Treats complex conditions including hiatal hernias, pancreatic cysts, and liver hemangiomas.
• Member of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery.
• Former Acting Head of the General Surgery Department at Kadir Has University.

Professor Halil Alis is an internationally recognised surgical expert who has published extensively on bariatric and metabolic surgery outcomes.

• Specialises in laparoscopic weight loss surgery using small incisions for faster recovery
• International member of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity (IFSO)
• Active member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons
• Expert in gastrointestinal endoscopy for precise internal diagnostic assessments
• Trained at the Istanbul School of Medicine in general surgical specialisations

Op. Dr. Şükrü Arslan is a General Surgeon. He received his M.D. from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa in 2005. He completed his General Surgery residency at Atatürk University between 2006 and 2011. He served as an Assistant Professor of General Surgery at Atatürk University from 2013 to 2017. He also worked with the Atatürk University Organ Transplantation Center.

His practice covers gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, endocrine, hernia, and abdominal surgery. He focuses on minimally invasive and laparoscopic techniques and organ transplantation. He has worked in public hospitals and leading private hospitals across the Marmara Region. He has been a General Surgeon at NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital since May 2026. He speaks English.

Dr. Servet Tali is a bariatric surgeon at Central Hospital in Istanbul. He has performed over 10,000 successful bariatric and metabolic surgeries. He specializes in weight loss procedures and metabolic management for diabetes. Dr. Tali consults with more than 1,000 patients annually.

• Performs Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy, and Gastric Balloon procedures.
• Expert in transit bipartition and ileal interposition for diabetes treatment.
• Member of the Turkish Surgery Association and the Turkish Medical Association.
• Works at Central Hospital, which features da Vinci robotic surgical systems.

Professor Yahya Ozel is a high-volume general surgeon who trained under world-leading specialists at Tokyo University Hospital in Japan.

• Specialises in bariatric surgery using laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques for smaller incisions
• Certified in surgical endoscopy by the Turkish Surgical Association for accurate internal assessments
• Expert in metabolic surgery to help manage weight-related conditions like type 2 diabetes
• Former academic faculty member at Dogus University training the next generation of surgeons
• Holds the Turkish Surgical Proficiency Certificate for meeting rigorous national surgical standards