It Buys Time. The Programme Buys Permanence.
A balloon placed endoscopically, no incisions, out again within a year. It is a real tool for a specific group and a poor substitute for surgery in everyone else, and we would rather say which one you are before you pay.
Who It Genuinely Suits.
- BMI 27 to 33 patients who do not qualify for surgery.
- Patients who need to lose weight before another operation.
- Those who want to test whether they can adapt to smaller portions before committing to something permanent.
What The Numbers Look Like.
Typical loss is 10 to 20 kg while the balloon is in place over six to twelve months.
Studies show that patients who receive structured dietary support maintain far more of that loss at two years than those who do not. The balloon buys time; the programme buys permanence. A balloon sold without the programme is half a treatment.
The First Week Is Genuinely Unpleasant.
Cramping and nausea for three to five days as the stomach adapts. Medication is prescribed in advance rather than in response.
Roughly one in twenty patients cannot tolerate it and asks for early removal. That possibility should be discussed openly beforehand, and we discuss it, because a patient who was not warned experiences the same week as a complication rather than as an expected phase.
Removal, And What Follows.
Removal is endoscopic, takes minutes, and requires no incision. What matters is the month either side of it.
Appetite returns quickly once the balloon is out, and the patients who hold their loss are the ones whose dietitian contact continues past removal rather than stopping with it. We plan that follow-up as part of the treatment, not as an upsell afterwards.
When It Is The Wrong Choice.
- BMI over 40.
- Uncontrolled reflux.
- Previous gastric surgery.
- The expectation that it will work without dietary change.
In those cases the money is better spent on the operation that actually addresses the problem. Gastric balloon is €2,800 including the endoscopy, the balloon, removal and the dietitian programme.
The Ones People Actually Ask.
How much does gastric sleeve surgery cost in Istanbul, Turkey?
At Swedish Clinic a gastric sleeve starts from €3,800, gastric bypass from €5,200 and a gastric balloon from €2,800, all-inclusive packages covering surgeon, anaesthesia, hospital stay, pre-operative tests, medication, VIP transfers and 12 months of dietitian follow-up. The same operations cost €12,000-€20,000 privately in the UK, Germany or the Netherlands.
Am I a candidate for bariatric surgery? What BMI do I need?
As a guide: BMI 27-32 usually suits a gastric balloon or botox, BMI 33-40 a gastric sleeve, and BMI 40+, or a lower BMI combined with type-2 diabetes, sleep apnoea or severe reflux, a gastric bypass. Your blood tests, endoscopy and medical history decide the final plan, and the eligibility check is free.
How much weight will I lose after a gastric sleeve?
Most sleeve patients lose 60-70% of their excess weight within 12-18 months; bypass patients typically reach 70-80%. The operation makes it possible, the dietitian programme, protein targets and activity are what keep it off, which is why follow-up is part of the package.
Is weight loss surgery in Turkey safe?
It is when it is done in the right setting. Your operation takes place in a licensed full-fledged hospital with an ICU on site, performed by a board-certified bariatric surgeon, under a Health Tourism Authorisation Certificate from the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health. We also hold Temos international accreditation and ISO 9001 (UKAS) certified management. Never accept bariatric surgery in a day clinic without intensive care.
How many days do I need to stay in Istanbul?
Plan 5-6 nights for sleeve or bypass: tests and endoscopy on day one, surgery on day two, 2-3 nights in hospital, then a final check before you fly. A gastric balloon needs only 2-3 nights as it is an endoscopic procedure with no incisions.
What can I eat after the operation?
Two weeks of liquids, two weeks of purées, then soft food and gradually normal meals in small portions with protein first. Your dietitian gives you a written plan for each phase in your own language and checks in monthly for a year.
Will I have loose skin after losing weight?
Some patients do, usually 12-18 months after surgery once the weight has stabilised. If it bothers you, a tummy tuck, arm lift or body contouring can be planned then. We quote those separately when the time comes, never as an upsell on day one.
Do you help with hotel, transfers and translation?
Yes. VIP airport transfers, a translator in your language and help with hotel booking are part of every package, and your coordinator stays in touch long after you fly home.