Gastric balloon in Turkey: what you should know before you book
A gastric balloon is a soft silicone balloon placed in the stomach and filled with saline, so you feel full sooner and eat smaller portions. It is not surgery: the balloon is either placed through the mouth with a thin camera (endoscope) under sedation or swallowed as a capsule, and it is removed or passes out after four to twelve months. On our site a gastric balloon in Turkey starts at €1,280 at an accredited hospital — the hospital's own price for international patients.
A balloon is a tool, not a treatment on its own. It helps you lose weight while it is in the stomach and gives you time to learn smaller portions and new habits; what happens after it comes out depends on those habits. It suits people who have a moderate amount of weight to lose, or who need to lose weight before another operation, rather than people with severe obesity, for whom surgery works better. This guide explains what you pay for, which balloon suits which patient, how the procedure and the first week feel, what studies say about results and side effects, and what to check before you travel.
The hospitals that place gastric balloons on our site are listed on this page with their prices, and the doctors with their experience and reviews. A quote is free, and you decide only after a doctor has reviewed your health details.
Gastric Balloon in Turkey: how it works
- 1Send your photos and questions
Free and without obligation: tell us what you want to change and send a few photos — by form or WhatsApp.
- 2Get a written plan and price
A surgeon reviews your case and you receive a personal plan with the price, usually within 24 hours. Compare hospitals; nothing is paid in advance.
- 3Travel, surgery and aftercare
Airport pick-up, examination, surgery and check-ups in Istanbul, then follow-up with your surgeon after you fly home.
Gastric Balloon in Turkey: hospitals and prices
Hospitals on our site that perform Gastric Balloon, with each hospital's own list price for international patients, shown in your currency.
- Within about 2 hours
A coordinator replies in your language by WhatsApp or e-mail.
- Within 24 hours
A surgeon reviews your photos and you receive a written plan with the surgeon's name and the price.
- You decide
Ask anything and take your time — nothing is paid in advance.
Why plan Gastric Balloon in Turkey with Treat Journey?
- Free for patients
Searching, comparing and requesting quotes costs nothing. You pay the hospital directly, at the price in your written quote — never a pre-payment to us.
- Real hospital prices, published
Every price on this page is the hospital's own price for international patients, shown live in your currency, with what the package includes.
- A named surgeon and a written plan
Your quote names the surgeon and the hospital and lists exactly what is included — no anonymous packages.
- Licensed hospitals only
We list licensed hospitals with an international patient department; accreditations such as JCI are shown on each hospital page.
- Honest reviews
We show real patient reviews, including Google reviews and critical ones, and we never invent ratings.
- Support before, during and after
A coordinator in your language answers within hours, arranges transfers and an interpreter, and stays in touch after you fly home.
Gastric balloon cost in Turkey
At the hospital listed on this page a gastric balloon costs from €1,280, shown in your currency in the hospital list. Across the Turkish market, prices for international patients mostly fall between about €1,500 and €3,500, depending on the type of balloon and what the package covers: a 6-month endoscopic balloon is usually the cheapest, a 12-month or adjustable balloon costs more, and the swallowable balloon sits in between or above. A very low price may not include sedation, the removal procedure or dietitian follow-up.
The table compares typical self-pay prices. Turkish prices are hospital prices for international patients; the other figures are approximate private prices and vary by clinic and type of balloon.
| Country | Typical price of a gastric balloon | What is usually included |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | from €1,280 | Balloon, sedation, endoscopy, tests, medication for the first days, dietitian, transfers; removal sometimes included |
| United Kingdom | about £3,000–£5,500 | Balloon, placement and an aftercare programme; removal usually included |
| United States | about $6,000–$10,000 | Balloon and placement; facility, anaesthesia and follow-up sometimes billed separately |
| Germany | about €3,000–€5,000 | Balloon, placement and removal |
Gastric balloon cost UK — and is it available on the NHS?
The gastric balloon cost in the UK is usually about £3,000–£5,500 privately, depending on the balloon and the length of the aftercare programme. The NHS does not normally fund a gastric balloon for weight loss alone; NICE guidance supports weight-loss surgery for people who meet its criteria, and balloons are offered on the NHS only rarely, for example to reduce weight before an operation. That is why patients searching for a gastric balloon UK price often compare clinics at home with a balloon abroad.
What changes the price:
- Type of balloon: a 6-month balloon costs less than a 12-month or adjustable balloon; a swallowable balloon avoids the endoscopy but the device itself is more expensive.
- Removal: endoscopic balloons must be removed with a second endoscopy. Ask whether removal is included, and where it will be done — in Turkey on a second trip or at a clinic at home.
- Aftercare: packages with dietitian follow-up for the whole time the balloon is in place, and sometimes after it, cost more but make the biggest difference to the result.
- Medication: anti-sickness medicines and an acid-reducing medicine (a proton pump inhibitor) are needed; check whether they are included for the whole period.
What a package usually includes: packages advertised as "gastric balloon Turkey all-inclusive" usually cover the consultation, blood tests, the balloon, the endoscopy or capsule placement with an X-ray check, sedation, a night in hospital or observation, medication for the first days, a dietitian session, an interpreter and transfers, and sometimes one or two hotel nights. Flights, a companion's costs, the removal (for some balloons) and medication for the following months are often not included — ask for the list in writing.
Payment: at the hospitals on our site you pay the hospital directly when you arrive; requesting a quote costs nothing. Be careful with any clinic that asks for a large deposit by bank transfer before a doctor has reviewed your health.
Types of gastric balloon: Allurion, Orbera and Spatz
Several balloons are used in Turkey. They differ in how they are placed and removed, how long they stay in and whether they can be adjusted.
| Balloon | Placement and removal | How long it stays | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allurion (swallowable) | Swallowed as a capsule on a thin tube and filled with about 550 ml of fluid; no endoscopy or sedation. It empties by itself and passes out naturally | About 4 months | No removal procedure, so no second trip; shorter treatment period |
| Orbera (6-month) | Placed and removed with an endoscope under sedation; filled with about 400–700 ml of saline | 6 months | The balloon with the longest track record and the most published data |
| Orbera365 (12-month) | As above | 12 months | More time to change habits; removal a year later |
| Spatz (adjustable) | Placed and removed endoscopically; the volume can be increased or decreased with a short endoscopy | 12 months | Can be made smaller if you cannot tolerate it or larger if weight loss slows |
The swallowable gastric balloon
The swallowable gastric balloon (Allurion) is popular with international patients because it fits a short trip: you swallow the capsule in a clinic, an X-ray confirms its position, it is filled through the thin tube, the tube is removed and you go home the same day. After about four months a valve opens, the balloon empties and passes through the bowel. The Allurion gastric balloon therefore avoids both sedation and a removal procedure, but it stays in for a shorter time than other balloons, so the weight loss is usually somewhat lower and the change in habits has less time to settle. Very rarely, an empty balloon can block the bowel and need removal.
The 12-month gastric balloon
A 12-month gastric balloon (Orbera365 or Spatz) stays in twice as long as a 6-month balloon. In studies it tends to produce somewhat more weight loss, and a longer period of portion control may help more people keep the weight off. The downside for international patients is the removal: plan either a second trip after a year or removal at a clinic in your own country, and ask for this in writing before you travel.
The Orbera balloon is the most studied device and is the type most often meant when people talk about a gastric balloon. Your doctor should explain why a particular balloon is recommended for you rather than offering only the one the clinic stocks.
Gastric balloon or weight-loss surgery?
A balloon and an operation do different jobs. A balloon is temporary and reversible, while a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass changes the stomach permanently.
| Question | Gastric balloon | Gastric sleeve or bypass |
|---|---|---|
| Typical weight loss | About 10–15% of body weight while the balloon is in place | About 25–35% of body weight within 12–18 months |
| Suitable BMI | Usually about 27–40 | Usually 35–40 or more (from 30 with type 2 diabetes) |
| Procedure | Endoscopy under sedation or a swallowed capsule; no incisions | Keyhole surgery under general anaesthesia |
| Time in Turkey | 1–3 days | About 5–7 days |
| Permanent? | No — removed or passes out after 4–12 months | Yes |
| Main drawback | Nausea in the first days; some weight is often regained after removal | Surgical risks; lifelong supplements |
A balloon is a reasonable choice if you have about 10–30 kg to lose, do not qualify for surgery or do not want it, or need to lose weight before another operation such as a knee replacement or a sleeve. If your BMI is above 40, or you have type 2 diabetes that is hard to control, surgery is usually more effective. Other non-surgical options are endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), which narrows the stomach with stitches from the inside and is longer-lasting than a balloon, and medically supervised non-surgical weight-loss programmes. All options are compared on the bariatric surgery page.
Who is a good candidate for a gastric balloon in Turkey?
You are usually a good candidate if:
- your BMI is roughly 27–40 (the exact range depends on the balloon and on your health);
- diet and exercise have not given lasting results;
- you are an adult (some clinics treat older teenagers with parental consent and careful assessment);
- you are ready to follow a diet plan and keep in contact with a dietitian for the whole treatment.
Who should not have a balloon: people who have had stomach surgery, including a previous sleeve or bypass; people with a large hiatus hernia, an active stomach ulcer, inflammatory bowel disease or a bleeding disorder; people who must take blood thinners, steroids or anti-inflammatory painkillers regularly; pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy during the treatment; and people with an untreated eating disorder or alcohol dependence. Tell the doctor about every medicine you take. Read more about obesity and its treatment.
How a gastric balloon is placed
- Before: you stop eating about 8–12 hours and drinking about 6 hours before the procedure. Blood tests and an assessment by the doctor and, for endoscopic balloons, the anaesthesiologist come first.
- Endoscopic balloon (Orbera, Spatz): under sedation the doctor first examines the stomach with an endoscope to rule out ulcers or a hiatus hernia, then passes the deflated balloon through the mouth into the stomach and fills it with saline, usually coloured blue so a leak would show in the urine. It takes about 20–30 minutes.
- Swallowable balloon (Allurion): you swallow a capsule attached to a thin tube with a glass of water; an X-ray checks that it is in the stomach, the balloon is filled through the tube and the tube is gently pulled out. It takes about 15–20 minutes and needs no sedation.
After an endoscopic placement you are observed for a few hours and often stay one night, so nausea can be treated with fluids and medicines through a drip.
Your gastric balloon trip to Turkey
Plan two to three days for an endoscopic balloon and one to two days for a swallowable balloon. A typical plan:
- Day 1 — arrival and tests: airport pick-up, consultation, blood tests and a dietitian session; with a swallowable balloon the placement can be the same day.
- Day 2 — placement: the balloon is placed in the morning; you rest, take anti-sickness medicines and sip clear liquids.
- Day 3 — check and flight home: once nausea is controlled and you can drink enough, the doctor confirms you are fit to fly.
- After you are home: dietitian follow-up by message or video every few weeks, and a plan for removal at four, six or twelve months depending on the balloon.
Travel with a companion if you can, because the first day can be unpleasant, and take your anti-sickness medicine in your hand luggage.
The first week and diet with a gastric balloon
The first three to seven days are the hardest part. As the stomach gets used to the balloon, most patients have nausea, vomiting, cramps or reflux; anti-sickness medicines, an acid-reducing medicine and small sips of fluid help, and these symptoms usually settle within a week. A typical diet plan:
- Days 1–3 — clear liquids: water, clear soup, diluted juice and herbal tea, in small sips throughout the day; aim for about 1.5–2 litres to avoid dehydration.
- Days 4–7 — full liquids: milk, yoghurt drinks, smooth soups and protein shakes.
- Week 2 — purées and soft foods: puréed vegetables, eggs, fish, yoghurt and lentils in small portions.
- From week 3 — normal food: small, balanced meals, eaten slowly and chewed well; stop at the first sign of fullness. Avoid fizzy drinks and very fatty foods, which make reflux and fullness worse.
Most of the weight is lost in the first three months. You can return to desk work after two to four days and to normal exercise after about a week, as long as you drink enough.
Flying home with a gastric balloon
Flying with a gastric balloon is safe; changes in cabin pressure do not affect a fluid-filled balloon. Most doctors allow the flight once you can keep fluids down, which is usually 24–48 hours after placement. Drink water in small sips during the flight, take your anti-sickness and acid-reducing medicines as prescribed and move around the cabin. Read our tips on flying after a procedure.
Seek medical help if you cannot keep fluids down for more than a day, have severe or persistent abdominal pain, signs of dehydration (very dark urine, dizziness) or see blue-green urine, which may mean the balloon is leaking. Carry the card you are given with the type of balloon and the date it must be removed.
Gastric balloon side effects and risks: what studies show
A gastric balloon is less invasive than surgery, but it is a medical device in the stomach and not free of risk. The most frequent problems are temporary, while serious complications are uncommon:
- Nausea, vomiting and cramps: the majority of patients have them in the first days; in published series they lead to early removal in roughly 5–10 in 100 patients who cannot tolerate the balloon.
- Reflux and stomach ulcers: heartburn is common; an ulcer or erosion under the balloon is found in a small minority and is the reason an acid-reducing medicine is taken throughout.
- Deflation and migration: a balloon can leak and shrink. A deflated balloon can move into the bowel and, rarely, block it, requiring endoscopic or surgical removal. This is why balloons are dyed and why you must not leave a balloon in longer than recommended.
- Over-inflation and pancreatitis: in 2017 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned about reports of balloons spontaneously over-inflating and of acute pancreatitis, both rare; severe pain or persistent vomiting needs prompt assessment.
- Perforation and death: perforation of the stomach or oesophagus is very rare. The FDA has also reported a small number of deaths worldwide among many thousands of balloon patients, some related to complications such as perforation; the overall risk is very low but not zero.
- Sedation risks: for endoscopic balloons, the usual small risks of sedation and endoscopy.
You lower the risks by choosing a doctor who places balloons regularly, being honest about previous stomach problems and medicines, taking the acid-reducing medicine, following the diet, keeping in contact with the clinic and having the balloon removed on time.
How and when the balloon is removed
An endoscopic balloon (Orbera, Orbera365 or Spatz) is removed after 6 or 12 months. Under sedation, the doctor passes an endoscope, punctures the balloon, drains the saline and pulls it out through the mouth; the procedure takes about 20–30 minutes and you go home the same day. You can have it removed in Turkey on a short second trip, or by a gastroenterologist at home — ask the clinic before you book whether a clinic in your country will remove a balloon placed abroad, and what it charges.
The Allurion gastric balloon does not need removal. After about four months it empties through a release valve and passes out naturally, usually unnoticed. Your doctor may confirm with an X-ray or ultrasound that it has gone if you are unsure.
Choosing a doctor and hospital, and red flags
- Who places the balloon: endoscopic balloons are placed by gastroenterologists or bariatric surgeons experienced in endoscopy. Ask for the doctor's name and how many balloons they place.
- The setting: an endoscopic balloon should be placed in a licensed hospital or endoscopy unit with an anaesthesiologist for the sedation and the possibility of admission. The hospitals on our site hold Ministry of Health licences and several are JCI-accredited.
- A genuine balloon: ask which brand and model is used and for its packaging or serial number; a cheap price can mean a device with little published data.
- Follow-up: ask who answers your messages when you are home, how often the dietitian contacts you, and what happens if you cannot tolerate the balloon or it needs to come out early.
Red flags: no health questions before placement, no plan for removal, no dietitian, pressure to pay a deposit quickly and promises of a fixed number of kilos. Our guide on choosing a safe doctor in Turkey has a checklist, and you can compare hospitals and doctors on our site.
Gastric balloon results and keeping the weight off
Most patients lose about 10–15% of their body weight while the balloon is in place — for someone weighing 100 kg, roughly 10–15 kg — with large differences between people. Results are better with a 12-month balloon and with regular dietitian contact. In the studies behind the Orbera balloon's approval, patients with the balloon and a diet programme lost about three times as much weight as patients on the programme alone.
Some weight is often regained after the balloon comes out, which is why the months with the balloon should be used to build lasting habits: protein at every meal, small portions, fewer sugary drinks and snacks, and regular activity. Patients who keep in contact with a dietitian after removal keep more of the weight off. If you regain weight or need to lose much more, a second balloon, ESG or surgery can be discussed later.
Gastric Balloon in Turkey reviews
Reviews of the hospitals and surgeons on this page that perform Gastric Balloon, with reviews about this treatment first. Reviews from Google are marked.
I was a patient there a week ago for gastric sleeve surgery. I received excellent treatment from my interpreter, who accompanied me throughout the entire process before the surgery, and the nutritionist was also very kind and attentive to my needs. Overall, my stay there was pleasant. I should mention that some of the nurses lack experience; it's noticeable when a more knowledgeable nurse is attending to you. One nurse accidentally injected me twice in the arm, and another nurse had to come and correct it. I also have a minor complaint about the "therapist" who, in my opinion, should be more careful, as he asked me inappropriate questions and judged me for being part of the LGBT community, which I don't think is the attitude a therapist should have. Aside from that, everything was excellent. The building looks very technologically advanced and is always very clean. I'm gradually progressing with my recovery and staying in touch with the nutritionist who continues to support me throughout this process. I definitely recommend it!
I would like to share my personal experience accompanying a patient who underwent gastric sleeve surgery. We traveled from Spain, and I must acknowledge the excellent service we received. It exceeded our expectations, and the level of professionalism demonstrated was evident. From the moment we arrived, we were picked up at the airport and taken to the "LOKMAN HEKIM" hospital, where they immediately began a series of preliminary tests. The staff is outstanding, and we are very grateful, from the medical staff to the support staff. I must highlight the hygiene, kindness, and personal attention they always offered. Our deepest gratitude goes to Linda (sales representative) and Alex (translator), who made us feel right at home, as well as to Professor Dr. Hüseyin Sinan, who performed the successful procedure, allowing my wife to recover in record time. In short, I highly recommend the service and urge the medical team to maintain this high standard. Thank you very much!
TALOFA; ALOHA; MALŌ E LELEI; BULA; KIA ORA I had initially planned to be support person for my BFF for an appointment she had long wanted to get done. As good friends do - I too did research to ensure she was on her healthiest path. I asked the Patient Consultant questions only a sceptic would. Linda was most approachable - she even set up a group chat for her; the patient and the patient's friend who simply had to know everything!!! Obviously on more personal/medical related matters - she'd communicate direct with my BFF. Linda was VERY informative; no question was too strange or silly and I NEVER felt I was being pressured to respond [though it helped that I kept her in the loop AND I was up front that I was researching other options/providers]. Now ANYONE who knows me - knows it takes A LOT to impress me!!! On this rare occasion - just from what is learnt and Linda's impeccable customer service - I too decided to book in for the gastric sleeve procedure! From airport pickup; admission; settling into our rooms; pre op tests [yes, covered a lot of klms going to/from specialists]; the actual operation; to post op care, our Patient Consultant 'Linda BURCU GUNSEL'; Interpreter 'Alessandra MADUREIRA' and Hospital Consultant 'Serap CELIK' were with us the WHOLE TIME!!! I also learnt; if on your initial enquiry you LOVE what the facilities offer - but you are not 'clicking with your consultant - they strongly encourage you request another - they truely don't mind! Long story short Would I recommend Lokman Hekim Hospital, Professor Huseyin SINAN M.D., his Consultancy and Medical Teams to everyone I know and anyone who cares to read this? ABSOLUTELY!!! Job WELL DONE ✅ ✅ ✅
Last week, Professor Hüseyin Sinan MD, along with his medical team, performed gastric sleeve surgery on me, from which I am recovering well. I am grateful to the entire medical team, Linda (sales), Belgin (nutritionist), Alessandra …
Today, my brother and I came to Lokman Hekim Hospital for a routine check-up. We come every year. But this year, we would like to thank Ms. Selda for welcoming and caring for us. She listened patiently, explaining everything step by step. I would like to thank her here as well and wish her continued success. Seeing such a caring person in such an institution truly made us happy.
It's a terrible place. I used many of its departments, even had surgery there, but I'll never go near it again. When you call about the results, they even hang up on you.
Frequently asked questions
At the accredited hospital on our site a gastric balloon costs from about €1,300 (shown in your currency on this page). Across the Turkish market prices usually range from about €1,500 to €3,500 depending on the balloon: 6-month endoscopic balloons are usually the cheapest, 12-month, adjustable and swallowable balloons cost more. Your exact price is written on your quote.
Usually the consultation, blood tests, the balloon, placement by endoscopy under sedation or as a swallowed capsule, observation or a night in hospital, medication for the first days, a dietitian session and transfers. Removal, flights and medication for the following months are often not included — ask for the list in writing.
Privately, a gastric balloon in the UK usually costs about £3,000–£5,500, depending on the balloon and the aftercare programme. The NHS rarely funds a gastric balloon for weight loss alone.
Most patients lose about 10–15% of their body weight while the balloon is in place, with large differences between people. Results are better with a 12-month balloon and regular dietitian support.
A swallowable balloon: you swallow a capsule on a thin tube, it is filled with about 550 ml of fluid and the tube is removed. It needs no endoscopy or sedation, and after about four months it empties by itself and passes out naturally, so no removal procedure is needed.
None is right for everyone. Allurion avoids sedation and removal but stays in only about four months. Orbera stays 6 or 12 months and has the most published data. Spatz stays 12 months and can be adjusted. The doctor recommends one after reviewing your weight, health and travel plans.
Usually adults with a BMI of about 27–40 who have not had lasting success with diet and exercise, have not had stomach surgery and are ready to follow a diet plan with dietitian support. It is not suitable with a large hiatus hernia, an active ulcer or during pregnancy.
The placement itself is painless under sedation or with a swallowed capsule. The first three to seven days are uncomfortable for most people — nausea, vomiting, cramps or reflux — and are controlled with medicines; symptoms usually settle within a week.
About four months for the swallowable Allurion balloon, six months for Orbera and twelve months for Orbera365 and Spatz. A balloon should not be left in longer than the manufacturer recommends.
An endoscopic balloon is removed under sedation after 6 or 12 months: it is punctured, drained and pulled out through the mouth in about 20–30 minutes. A swallowable balloon empties by itself after about four months and passes out naturally.
Balloons are filled with saline coloured with a blue dye, so a leak turns the urine blue-green. If this happens, contact the clinic straight away, because a deflated balloon can move into the bowel and must be removed. Bursting is very rare.
Clear liquids for the first two to three days, then full liquids until the end of the first week, purées and soft foods in the second week and normal food in small portions from about the third week. Fizzy drinks and very fatty foods should be avoided.
Plan two to three days for an endoscopic balloon and one to two days for a swallowable balloon, until nausea is controlled and you can drink enough to fly safely.
It is less invasive than surgery and serious complications are uncommon, but not impossible: early removal because of intolerance happens in roughly 5–10 in 100 patients, and deflation with bowel blockage, ulcers, pancreatitis and perforation are rare. Choose an experienced doctor, take your acid-reducing medicine and have the balloon removed on time.
Some weight is often regained after removal. Patients who use the balloon months to change their eating habits and keep in contact with a dietitian keep more of the weight off.
If your BMI is lower or you do not want surgery, a balloon is an option, but it loses about 10–15% of body weight compared with about 25–35% after a sleeve, and the effect is temporary. With a BMI above 40 or hard-to-control type 2 diabetes, surgery is usually more effective.
Yes. Cabin pressure does not affect a fluid-filled balloon. Most doctors allow the flight 24–48 hours after placement, once you can keep fluids down.