The Honest Exclusion List Comes First.
Botulinum toxin injected into the stomach muscle slows emptying, so you feel full sooner and for longer. It is a modest, temporary tool. Most of what is worth saying about it is who should not have it.
The People We Turn Away.
We decline gastric botox for four groups, and none of them becomes negotiable by paying more:
- BMI above roughly 40.
- Active ulcer or significant gastritis.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- A neuromuscular condition such as myasthenia gravis.
High BMI: The Wrong Tool, Stated Plainly.
Above a BMI of 40 the gap between what botox can deliver and what you actually need is too wide to bridge. Eight to fifteen kilos against a target of sixty is not a start, it is a delay, and an expensive one, because those months are months of untreated diabetes, sleep apnoea and joint load.
For those patients the conversation is a sleeve at €3,800 or a bypass at €5,200, and we prefer to have it early.
Stomach Lining, Reflux And Previous Surgery.
The injection is placed into the muscle layer through the stomach wall, so an inflamed or ulcerated lining has to be treated and healed first. We gastroscope everyone beforehand and will postpone on the day if what we see calls for it.
Significant reflux or a large hiatal hernia is a relative contraindication, since slowing gastric emptying can make reflux worse. Previous stomach surgery changes the anatomy enough that each case is judged individually.
How Long It Lasts, And When To Repeat.
The effect builds over one to two weeks and lasts roughly four to six months, because the nerve terminals regrow. It is a window, not a treatment course, and what happens inside that window decides whether it was worth doing.
Repeating it indefinitely is not a plan. If two cycles pass without the eating pattern changing, we say so rather than booking a third.
The Expectation Problem.
The last group is harder to define on a form. If someone wants a permanent solution, has no intention of changing how they eat, or has been told by three clinics that this counts as obesity surgery, the procedure will disappoint them whatever the technique.
We say that at the consultation. Turning down a €900 case costs us less than an unhappy patient.
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.