Gastric Balloon is one of the easy to apply bariatric surgery operations among the controlled weight loss programs, also which can be safely applied. Majority of the patients who are on search for obesity and weight loss treatment prefer this method. Here you can find necessary information about getting Gastric Balloon in Turkey, Istanbul, including the cost, prices, and best clinics, doctors and surgeons. To find answers to your questions concerning the gastric balloon, let’s read on.
What is Gastric Balloon & What to Expect?
Gastric balloon, or intragastric ballooning (in Turkish: mide balonu), is one of the newest and most popular non-surgical weight loss methods safely applied by endoscopists in Turkey. It involves inserting a small, saline-filled silicone balloon into the stomach. By reducing your eating quantities in your stomach, this balloon will make you feel full, and you won’t want to eat more because the balloon gets too big to pass into the bowel. It aids in weight loss.
Gastric balloon is one of the frequently used operations in the treatment of obesity due to its being a risk-free obesity treatment, as well as not fully surgical procedure. It is an easy to apply but temporary weight loss method.
This is kind of an alternative treatment method of obesity treatment where a balloon is inserted into the stomach and inflated there with endoscopy. And with the help of the balloon in the stomach, you are having a constant feeling of satiety in the stomach which will allow you loose weight.
Gastric Balloon is performed endoscopically with a light anesthesia given to the patient. The logic here is to reduce the stomach volume by creating a volume when it is inflated in the stomach and to reduce the amount of food taken. Thus, it is expected from the patients to change their eating habits and lose about 10 to 25 kilos between 6 months to 1 year.
Gastric balloon is an inflatable balloon-shaped prosthesis made of silicone. It is not a soluble material and is not affected by stomach acid. However, we can say that as it has to be removed after a certain period of time, it is perhaps the biggest disadvantage of this method. And for the majority of gastric balloons, this period is around 6 months.
The procedure is mostly applied under light anesthesia, and accompanied by an anesthesiologist. So we can say that it is a comfortable way for both the patient and the doctor performing the procedure.
After you take the anesthesia, first routine endoscopy is performed to evaluate the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. If the surgeon detects a lesion in the stomach, than the gastric balloon application is postponed.
If all is fine there in your stomach, than the deflated balloon wrapped in a special package covered with plenty of lubricating gel is advanced to the esophagus. After the gastric balloon is placed into the stomach, it is inflated with air or liquid according to the model of the balloon with the help of endoscopy and left free in the stomach.
Typical gastric balloon procedure generally takes about between 30 to 45 minutes and you are usually discharged from the hospital on the same day. Some patients may have nausea that may require the use of anti-nausea intravenously. In such cases, it is more appropriate to spend the night of the procedure in the hospital.
How is the Gastric Balloon Placed?
Before the gastric balloon is inserted into the patient’s stomach and using endoscopic imaging techniques, the patient is thoroughly examined by qualified medical professionals. Overall health is examined to determine whether the patient has any other health issues in their stomach. Although general anesthesia isn’t required during gastric balloon placement; however, local sedation is applied by an anesthetic spray to numb your throat.
Today, the gastric balloon can be placed in the stomach in two different ways. Gastric balloon placement can be performed in 2 ways:
Endoscopic Gastric Balloon
During the endoscopic gastric balloon procedure, the patient is sedated to make the patient feel more comfortable. Since the procedure is performed with the endoscopy technique, the patient shouldn’t eat or drink anything for a certain period before the procedure. Thanks to a plastic guard, your mouth will remain open throughout the treatment.
The doctor will then introduce the endoscope — a little tube with a tiny camera at the tip, enabling your doctor to watch inside for obstructions or abnormalities until it reaches the stomach. After that, the endoscope will be withdrawn, and a deflated balloon will be placed.
The balloon will be filled with saline (salt water) or methylene blue (blue dye) and inflated. Saline and methylene are compatible with the body as approved by the health authorities. Afterward, a sealing valve will be added. Your doctor will insert the endoscope once more to check on everything, ensuring the balloon is positioned correctly before removing the endoscope. Endoscopic gastric balloon application is completed in approximately half an hour or 1 hour. During this time, the patient does not feel any pain or pain.
Swallowable Gastric Balloon
The patient swallows the uninflated capsule-shaped balloon at the end of a thin wire with the help of plenty of water. For patients with difficulty swallowing the balloon, the doctor can help the patient swallow the balloon with the help of a thin stylet. With the help of imaging methods such as X-rays, the doctor ensures that the balloon is in the right place in the stomach.
Then, using the apparatus at the end of the balloon, the doctor starts inflating the balloon with nearly 500 ml of water containing potassium sorbate and rechecks its final position. Finally, the doctor carefully removes the apparatus placed at the end of the balloon. The procedure takes approximately 20 minutes.
How Is the Gastric Balloon Removed?
The same procedure used to insert the gastric balloon through the mouth is used to remove it. The balloon and a catheter will be inserted into your stomach through your mouth by your specialist doctor. The balloon will subsequently be pierced (or punctured) and deflated, which will then be grabbed and taken out of your stomach.
What is the Lifespan of the Gastric Balloon?
Although it depends on the method used; however, roughly after six months, the gastric balloons can be endoscopically removed.
Why Choose the Gastric Balloon?
The intragastric balloon is used to facilitate weight loss. Losing weight can lower your risk of developing significant weight-related problems, such as:
- Heart disease or stroke (Cardiological disorders)
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- The illness of gastroesophageal reflux
Who Are Candidates for Gastric Balloon Surgery?
- Those with body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40,
- If you experience health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure linked to being overweight or obese,
- If your efforts to lose weight through diet and exercise have been unsuccessful,
- In emergencies where rapid weight loss is required,
- Obese patients are at risk of surgery or conditions requiring temporary obesity treatment.
Advantages of Gastric Balloon
- Since no incisions are made during this operation, scarring won’t be an issue.
- The gastric balloon recovery period is substantially short. Once nausea subsides, returning to work won’t be a problem.
- Your stomach or digestive system isn’t permanently altered by it.
- It aids in weight loss.
- It quickly makes you feel full and less hungry.
How much weight loss should I anticipate?
Your initial weight and capacity for diet and activity will determine how much you lose.
Still, you could reduce your weight by 20 to 50 pounds.
How to Get Ready for Gastric Balloon Surgery
If you decide to have gastric balloon surgery, your medical staff will provide detailed preparation instructions, including:
- You’ll need to take some tests.
- You might be needed to begin a physical exercise program,
- You will be put on a tight diet, and you will be asked to take specific drugs.
Before the Surgery
- As per your doctor’s recommendation, refrain from drinking anything six hours before surgery and skip meals eight hours beforehand.
- The treatment can be performed in an outpatient facility and takes about 20 minutes.
- Your doctor will also recommend various medications to treat nausea and acid reflux.
After the Surgery
You will have less room for meals when the gastric balloon is implanted. You’ll feel fuller with the small portions or when you eat less, which will help you lose weight. If you combine your surgery with exercise, you will reduce your weight for sure.
Diet: Always check with your doctor and follow their advice. Yet, typically, for the first three days following surgery, you must only consume fluids. After 4 days, you can resume eating soft foods and consuming 8 cups of liquids between meals.
Lifestyle: You’ll have to adopt a new way of life. It would be best if you started working out. And within a day or two, depending on how quickly your stomach gets used to having the foreign item inside of it, you’ll be able to go back to work.
Results: When you typically eat, the balloon will make you feel full more quickly, and it’ll take longer for your stomach to empty. The hormone levels regulating your hunger will also vary due to the balloon. For sure, how much you can alter your lifestyle choices, including diet and activity, will determine how much weight you can lose.
Advantages of Gastric Balloon in Turkey, Istanbul
Turkey, one of the primary medical tourism hubs, offers a new weight loss method called Gastric Balloon. An endoscopic procedure like this is relatively new and frequently preferred by domestic and international patients in Turkey.
Istanbul in Turkey is one of the top choices in the world for obesity, weight loss treatment, and bariatric surgery. Majority of the medical tourists visit Istanbul and Turkey for this treatment and surgery from the Middle East, Gulf and European countries.
The surgeons in Turkey are also one of the most popular and well-known ones in the world. You’ll also find world class clinics at very affordable prices.
How about Gastric Balloon in Turkey, Istanbul?
If you’ve been thinking about obesity, weight loss treatment or bariatric surgery, you’ve probably shocked with the costs in the EU, UK or US.
However, when you compare the costs and quality of service in the clinics in Turkey, Istanbul, you’ll definitely agree that it will be by far the most economical and practical way.
FAQs
How much does it cost a gastric balloon in Turkey?
Average cost of a gastric balloon is between $1,500 – $3,500 in Istanbul, Turkey depending on the reputation of the doctor and the hospital/clinic. This competitive cost mostly includes 6 months dietitian service.
Is Turkey good for gastric balloon?
Turkey is one of the best places to get gastric balloon surgery. We can say that Turkey is among the top 5 countries for bariatric surgeries in the world. This is due affordable prices with very good service quality, adequate care, state-of-the-art surgical facilities and well-equipped to handle emergencies, well trained surgeons, and vacation time.
Is a gastric balloon in Turkey safe?
Yes, it is safe. Turkey has one of the best public healthcare systems and private healthcare sector in the world. There strict regulations that apply to both Turkish citizens and international patients that come to the country for medical treatments to help ensure their safety and prevent any possible harm to the patients and unnecessary surgeries.
Who are eligible for for gastric balloon in Turkey?
Gastric balloon is usually ideal for those who have a body mass index (BMI) of 27-40 and have difficulty in making diet.
How long does it take to place the gastric balloon?
The placement of the gastric balloon mostly takes about between 10 to 15 minutes.
Should I stay at the hospital after the insertion of a gastric balloon?
Endoscopic gastric balloon procedure is performed under anesthesia and it is recommended to stay at the hospital for at least 1 hour. For swallowable gastric balloon, you can be discharged immediately.
How many types of gastric balloon are there?
There are 2 types of gastric balloon and regarding the type of the gastric balloon, it can stay in the stomach for 6 and 12 months. Doctos usually evaluate your weight and nutritional habits and then decide which balloon to apply.
How long does the gastric balloon stays in the stomach?
Gastric balloon usually stays in the stomach for about 4 to 6 or 12 months depending the type of the gastric balloon.
How much weight is lost with the gastric balloon treatment?
Patients are expected to give about 15 to 20 kg. with a gastric balloon, which is an average of 15-20% of their initial weight.
Who are the best gastric balloon doctors in Turkey?
Best gastric balloon doctors in Turkey, Istanbul are;
- Dr. Ceyhun Aydogan – Istanbul
- Dr. Mehmet Toprak – Istanbul
- Prof. Dr. Cemal Kara – Izmir
- Prof. Dr. Ender Ozer – Istanbul
- Dr. Babek Tabandeh – Istanbul
- Dr. Toygar Toydemir – Istanbul
- Dr. Yahya Ozel - Istanbul
What the Clinics Offer?
Majority of the clinics offer a very well planned trip with guide and consultant, including;
- Your detailed treatment plan in Istanbul with all the logistics,
- A comprehensive discussion with costs to your desired outcome,
- Your accommodation plan that best suits your needs,
- Pick-up from the airport to your hotel and the clinic, and vice-versa,
- Your lifetime follow-up and aftercare service
Top Clinics & Surgeons for Gastric Balloon in Turkey, Istanbul
If you are into the top rated surgeons and clinics for your obesity and weight loss treatment, or bariatric surgery needs, here is our pick of the top clinics and surgeons in Istanbul and Turkey. We are Istanbul insiders and here we only suggest the proven and top rated ones with the patients’ comments.
Op.Dr. Mehmet is a popular general and plastic surgeon providing high quality obesity and weight loss treatments and operations for his patients worldwide (VM Medical Park Maltepe Hastanesi, Maltepe, Istanbul, 
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cemal Kara is a popular general surgeon specialist providing high level and quality obesity and weight loss treatments at his private center in Izmir (Yeni Mahalle Park Yasam Evleri, B1 Blok, No:1V, Cigli, Izmir, 
Op. Dr. Nurettin Kapucu is a general surgery doctor providing high quality services in the field of obesity and weight loss treatment in Istanbul. He is in contact with Privacy Estetik Clinic (Tesvikiye Terrace Fulya Residence Center 1, D:77, Sisli, Istanbul, 
Forever Clinica Aesthetic Center (Bestelsiz, 101. Sk No:107, Avrasya Hospital, Zeytinburnu, Istanbul, 
New Look Guide (
Dr. Babek Tabandeh, who is number 1 in Robotic Surgery as he can perform bariatric surgeries laparoscopically, joined the American Association of Surgeons in 2015 and took his place in the International Federation of Surgery Obesity (IFSO) in 2017. Dr. Babek Tabandeh is also a lecturer at the best universities in Turkey. New Look Guide Clinic is happy to be with the patients who want to benefit from Sleeve Gastrectomy, Gastric Bypass, Mini Bypass and Gastric Balloon services together with their doctor.
Prof. Dr. Toygar Toydemir leads the obesity and weight loss treatments at his private center in Istanbul (Mim Kemal Oke Cad. No:11/2, Nisantasi, Istanbul, 
Op. Dr. Yahya Ozel (1966) is one of the most popular plastic surgeons in the field of obesity and weight loss treatment in Istanbul and Turkey. He serves his patients and performs his operations at the Istanbul Private Medical Park Pendik Hospital, one of the high quality A+ private hospitals in the city.
