Gastric Balloon in Turkey
A non-surgical weight loss treatment with no hospital stay, from £1,580 with 5-star accommodation, transfers, and 12 months of aftercare.
Not everyone needs surgery to achieve meaningful, lasting weight loss. If your BMI is between 27 and 35 and you are looking for a less invasive option, a gastric balloon could be the right treatment for you.
A gastric balloon is a soft silicone balloon that is placed inside your stomach through your mouth, no incisions, no general anaesthesia, and no overnight hospital stay. Once inflated, it takes up space in your stomach, helping you feel full sooner and eat smaller portions naturally. The entire procedure takes around 20 minutes under light sedation, and most patients return to their hotel the same day.
Patients typically lose 10-15% of their total body weight over the 6-12 months the balloon is in place. For many people, that translates to 2-4 stone, enough to significantly improve health, confidence, and quality of life. It is also an effective starting point for patients who want to lose weight before considering a more comprehensive bariatric procedure.
At The Health Store Turkey, your gastric balloon package includes everything: the procedure, endoscopy suite, 5-star hotel accommodation, private airport transfers, a personal translator, and 12 months of aftercare support. From £1,765. No hidden costs.
What Is Gastric Balloon?
How a Gastric Balloon Works
A gastric balloon is a soft, medical-grade silicone balloon that is inserted into your stomach endoscopically, through your mouth and down your oesophagus, using a thin, flexible tube with a camera. There are no cuts, no stitches, and no scars.
Once the deflated balloon is positioned in your stomach, it is filled with a sterile saline solution (salt water) to roughly the size of a grapefruit. This takes up a significant portion of your stomach's capacity, which means:
- You feel full faster, meals are naturally smaller
- You stay satisfied longer, the balloon slows the emptying of your stomach
- You eat less without constantly fighting hunger, the physical presence of the balloon does the work for you
The entire placement procedure takes approximately 15-20 minutes under light sedation. You are not put to sleep with general anaesthesia, you are simply in a relaxed, drowsy state and will not feel discomfort during the procedure.
Types of Gastric Balloon
The Health Store Turkey uses leading, FDA-approved gastric balloon systems. Depending on your needs and goals, your consultant may recommend:
- 6-month balloon, placed for six months, then removed endoscopically. The most common option.
- 12-month balloon, designed to remain in place for up to 12 months, providing longer-term support.
- Adjustable balloon, the volume can be increased during the treatment period if needed, allowing your care team to optimise your results.
Your consultation will determine which type is most appropriate based on your BMI, health profile, and weight loss goals.
Am I Suitable?
A gastric balloon may be right for you if:
- Your BMI is between 27 and 35
- You want to lose 2-4 stone without undergoing surgery
- You have struggled with diets and exercise programmes but do not meet the criteria for (or do not want) surgical weight loss treatment
- You want a reversible, temporary treatment rather than a permanent procedure
- You are looking to lose weight before a planned surgical procedure (such as a gastric sleeve or joint replacement)
- You are committed to making dietary and lifestyle changes alongside the balloon
The gastric balloon is also suitable for patients who may not be candidates for general anaesthesia, as it only requires light sedation.
You may not be suitable if you have had previous stomach procedures, have certain gastrointestinal conditions (such as large hiatal hernias or active stomach ulcers), are pregnant, or have a BMI above 40 (in which case a surgical option may be more appropriate for your goals).
Your free consultation includes a full assessment. Your patient coordinator will review your BMI, medical history, and goals to confirm whether a gastric balloon is the right choice for you. If another treatment would deliver better results, they will tell you honestly. No obligation, no pressure.
What Happens During the Procedure?
Before Your Procedure
Your journey starts with a free consultation, by phone, video call, or at one of our UK consultation days. Your patient coordinator will discuss your weight loss goals, review your medical history, and explain exactly what to expect.
Once you decide to go ahead, your team arranges everything: hotel, transfers, and scheduling. Unlike surgical weight loss procedures, the gastric balloon does not require a liver-shrinking diet beforehand. You will receive straightforward preparation instructions, including fasting for 12 hours before your appointment.
On the Day
You will arrive at the clinic having fasted overnight. Your care team will explain each step, and your anaesthetist will administer light sedation, you will be relaxed and drowsy but not fully asleep.
The deflated balloon is passed through your mouth using an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera). Once positioned in your stomach, it is inflated with saline solution. The entire process takes approximately 15-20 minutes.
After the procedure, you will rest for 1-2 hours while the sedation wears off. Most patients experience some nausea and stomach cramping as their body adjusts to the balloon, this is completely normal and is managed with anti-nausea medication.
After Your Procedure
There is no hospital stay required. You will return to your 5-star hotel the same day to rest and recover. Your patient coordinator and personal translator are available by phone around the clock.
The first 3-5 days involve the most adjustment, as your stomach gets used to the balloon. Nausea and discomfort typically settle within this period. You will follow a liquid diet for the first few days, then progress to soft foods before returning to a normal (but smaller-portioned) diet.
Most patients feel completely comfortable within one week and fly home within 3-4 days of the procedure.
Recovery & Aftercare
What to Expect During Recovery
One of the main advantages of a gastric balloon is the minimal recovery time. There are no surgical wounds to heal, no stitches, and no restrictions on physical activity beyond the first few days.
Day 1-3: The adjustment period. Nausea, bloating, and stomach cramps are common as your body adapts to the balloon. Anti-nausea medication is provided, and sticking to clear liquids during this phase helps. Rest is important, but light walking is encouraged.
Day 3-7: Symptoms ease significantly. You progress from liquids to soft foods. Most patients feel well enough to fly home and return to normal daily activities during this phase.
Week 2-4: You transition to regular foods in smaller portions. This is when you begin to notice the balloon's effect on your appetite, meals are smaller, you feel satisfied sooner, and the urge to snack reduces.
Month 1-6 (or 1-12): The balloon remains in place, working alongside your new eating habits. Weight loss is steady and consistent. Your aftercare team supports you with dietary guidance, regular check-ins, and encouragement.
Your 12-Month Aftercare Programme
Even though the balloon may be removed at 6 months, your aftercare continues for a full 12 months. This is critical, because the real value of a gastric balloon lies in the habits you build while it is in place.
Your aftercare includes:
- Regular progress check-ins with your dedicated team
- Personalised dietary and nutrition guidance
- Behavioural support to help you maintain your new eating patterns after removal
- Free sports and fitness access for 12 months
- Direct access to your patient coordinator for any questions or concerns
The goal is not just to lose weight while the balloon is in place, it is to change your relationship with food permanently.
Risks & Considerations
A gastric balloon is one of the lowest-risk weight loss treatments available. It is non-surgical, does not require general anaesthesia, and is fully reversible. However, like any medical procedure, it is important to understand what to expect.
Common Side Effects (Expected and Temporary)
- Nausea and vomiting in the first 3-5 days (experienced by most patients; managed with medication)
- Stomach cramps and bloating as your body adjusts to the balloon
- Acid reflux (usually temporary; managed with prescribed medication)
- Constipation or changes in bowel habits during the adjustment period
These side effects are a normal part of the adjustment process and almost always resolve within the first week.
Less Common Risks
- Early removal, in approximately 3-5% of cases, the balloon needs to be removed early due to persistent intolerance (ongoing nausea or discomfort that does not respond to medication)
- Balloon deflation, modern balloons are designed with safety dye that changes the colour of your urine if the balloon deflates, alerting you immediately. Deflation is rare but requires prompt removal.
- Stomach ulceration, rare, and risk is minimised by using proton pump inhibitor medication throughout the treatment period
- Oesophageal irritation during placement or removal, uncommon and usually minor
How Your Risk Is Managed
The procedure is performed in a fully equipped endoscopy suite within a licensed medical facility. Your care team has extensive experience with gastric balloon placement, and the 12-month aftercare programme means any concerns are identified and addressed quickly.
The gastric balloon has an excellent safety profile. For many patients, it represents the safest possible entry point into effective, supported weight loss.
If you have specific concerns, your patient coordinator will address them openly during your free consultation.
UK Aftercare: We Are Here When You Get Home
Unlike other medical tourism companies, we do not leave you on your own once you are back in the UK. We have two dedicated aftercare clinics staffed by NHS-registered wound care specialists, so you can see a professional face-to-face for wound checks, dressing changes, and recovery support.
Medical disclaimer: Results of any surgical or interventional procedure may vary from person to person. You are advised to consult your physician for detailed information before undergoing any procedure. The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute medical advice. See our Medical Disclaimer for full details.
What Our Patients Say
Real reviews from real patients. Their words, not ours.
"Highly recommend THST. The level of care is unbelievable and the staff are warm and kind. My surgeon was lovely and I felt completely at ease."
"From start to finish my experience was amazing. The staff were amazing and caring and the hospital was spotlessly clean. A truly professional service."
"Definitely recommend. I received constant support with no language barriers at all. I felt welcomed and well taken care of throughout my entire stay."
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients lose 10-15% of their total body weight during the time the balloon is in place. In practical terms, that typically means 2-4 stone over 6-12 months. Your individual results depend on how closely you follow the dietary and lifestyle guidance provided by your aftercare team. The gastric balloon is a powerful tool, but it delivers the strongest results when combined with healthy eating habits and regular physical activity. Patients who fully engage with the aftercare programme consistently achieve the highest weight loss.
The placement procedure itself is not painful. You are given light sedation, which keeps you relaxed and comfortable throughout the 15-20 minute procedure. Most patients do not remember the placement at all. After the procedure, it is normal to experience nausea, bloating, and stomach cramps as your body adjusts to the balloon, this is the most uncomfortable part of the experience. These symptoms typically last 3-5 days and are managed with anti-nausea and pain medication. By the end of the first week, the vast majority of patients feel completely comfortable.
Depending on the type of balloon used, it remains in your stomach for either 6 or 12 months. At the end of the treatment period, the balloon is removed endoscopically, the same way it was placed, through your mouth under light sedation. The removal procedure takes approximately 15-20 minutes. Your consultation will determine which balloon duration is most appropriate for your goals and circumstances.
It depends on your starting weight and goals. A gastric balloon is ideal for patients with a BMI of 27-35 who want to lose 2-4 stone without undergoing a surgical procedure. It is non-surgical, reversible, and has a very short recovery time. However, if your BMI is above 35 or you need to lose a significant amount of weight (5+ stone), a gastric sleeve will typically deliver greater and more sustained results. Some patients use the gastric balloon as a first step, losing enough weight to become eligible for, or more comfortable with, a surgical procedure later. Your patient coordinator can help you understand which option is right for your specific situation.
Most patients stay for 3-4 days in total. Because the gastric balloon is a day procedure with no overnight hospital stay, your recovery time in Turkey is shorter than for surgical treatments. You will typically have the procedure on day one, rest and recover at your 5-star hotel on days two and three, and fly home on day three or four. Your patient coordinator will help you plan the timing around your flights. Some patients feel well enough to fly home after just two days, though an extra day of rest is generally recommended.
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