Gastric balloon in Turkey, Prices of Istanbul Clinics 2024

What is a gastric balloon?

The gastric balloon, also known as intragastric balloon, is a weight-loss procedure performed at our clinics and hospitals in Turkey. It consists of inserting a spherical silicone device into the patient's stomach endoscopically. This process is mainly dedicated to people with a high degree of obesity, especially those suffering from the morbid type. It is certainly the most effective solution without undergoing surgery.

If diet, healthy eating, and exercise are not effective, the gastric balloon will be the ideal solution to achieve the desired weight. It is recommended for overweight patients with a BMI (body mass index) between 25 and 35. Indeed, this medical device, which occupies space inside the stomach, induces a sensation of satiety, thus helping to lose weight without surgery. To do this, the slimming balloon is swallowed by the patient in a 20-minute session.

However, the advice of a doctor specialized in bariatric surgery is necessary to obtain an optimal result without complications. Furthermore, the price of the intragastric balloon in Turkey, varies from one clinic to another, depending on several factors. With our partner clinics, you can opt for it at the lowest price.

Procedure conditions

The decision to proceed with a stomach balloon is made by a medical specialist, usually a gastroenterologist or bariatric surgeon, after a thorough evaluation of the patient's medical situation. The requirements for a gastric balloon procedure may vary depending on medical recommendations and the specific criteria of each healthcare facility. However, here are some general requirements that are often considered:

• The weight you want to lose and your current BMI
• Health status
• Expectations and needs
• Commitment to a medical follow-up

Some patients are not good candidates to receive the weight loss balloon. Our doctors will ask you about your medical history and will also examine you to determine your eligibility for this obesity procedure.

Main types of gastric balloons in Turkey

Several types of gastric balloons can be placed. Each type has advantages and disadvantages. Thus, the appropriate choice will depend on various factors, such as the individual medical situation and preferences. We suggest Elipse, Orbera, and Spatz, the most popular types in the bariatric sector.

Elipse balloon

The Elipse Gastric Balloon does not require anesthesia or endoscopy to be inserted or ejected. Indeed, during the installation, the patient will have to swallow a gelatinous capsule containing the Intragastric Balloon. The capsule is attached to an external pocket using a tube. Once placed in the stomach, the doctor will proceed to fill the Elipse balloon with approximately 550 CC of physiological solution through this tube. Before, during, and after the installation, the doctor submits the patient to radiological controls to make sure that the installation goes well.

The Elipse gastric balloon is expelled after approximately 16 weeks (4 months). At the end of this period, the ball deteriorates, and its timed valve opens to facilitate expulsion. Therefore, the physiological solution is expelled through the urine and the balloon (in a small transparent film form) will be expelled naturally through stools or, in rare cases, when vomiting.

SPATZ: The adjustable device

It is an intragastric balloon that lasts 12 months with variable volume. The proposed advantages consist of better adaptability to the patient who must start with small volumes and then increase them until the feeling of satiety fades after 2 to 4 months. Any volume change requires a new gastroscopy.

Subsequently, this option ensures the sensation of early satiety, facing the intolerance that occurs in 5 to 10% of cases. Moreover, the balloon is adjustable, and it can be inflated a little more once it loses its effectiveness over time.

Process of the intervention in Istanbul

Making some adjustments to your eating habits is necessary before proceeding with the procedure. You should also visit the doctor, nutritionist, and fitness instructor at least once. Your doctor will also advise you to have a blood test.

Balloon placement

The placement of the gastric balloon in Istanbul is performed by two methods:

• The first method is to insert the balloon into the mouth, then the esophagus and stomach under local anesthesia. It is then filled with a solution that contains methylene blue. 
• The second method consists of swallowing a balloon in tablet form with a sterile saline solution without using any type of anesthesia. The time required for fixation does not exceed thirty minutes.

Post-operative phase

After the operation, you must spend one night in the hospital under medical supervision. In addition, nutritional care and dietary monitoring are essential, especially during the first period. You may experience some problems such as abdominal pain, but these will disappear quickly. To achieve a good result, you must adopt a healthy diet after the operation. This should be based on liquid foods at first and then semi-liquid foods until you resume normal food consumption in the fourth week.

Placement results

The results are encouraging if you make an effort to change your diet with the help of a gastric balloon. Be sure to lose ten to fifteen kilograms in four months. Physical activity is necessary to boost your weight loss and obtain a better result. Once the device is withdrawn, the doctor gives instructions to the patient to maintain his body weight. The patient has to keep consulting his doctor during the 6 first post-intervention months, to make sure that his weight loss is progressing well. Losing weight and maintaining it is hard, so you will be monitored throughout this plan by doctors and dieticians (biologists and nutritionists). This medical team will help you adopt and keep new healthy habits in your nutrition and physical activities.