Last updated: 10/28/2024

Discover the Best Clinics and Costs for Gastric band in Istanbul 2024

Get Free Personalized Offer
Content meets the Bookimed Editorial Policy and is medically reviewed by
Fahad Mawlood

Your Benefits and Guarantees with Bookimed

Direct Prices

Bookimed does not add extra charges for Gastric band prices. The rates come from the clinics' official price lists. You pay directly at the clinic for your Gastric band upon your arrival.

Verified Clinics & Doctors Only

Bookimed is committed to your safety. We only work with medical institutions that maintain high international standards in Gastric band and have the necessary licenses to serve international patients worldwide.

Free 24/7 Assistance

Bookimed offers free expert assistance. A personal medical coordinator supports you before, during, and after your treatment, solving any issues. You're never alone on your Gastric band journey.

How Much Does Gastric band Cost in Turkey?

The average cost of Gastric band in Turkey ranges from $1500 to $4560. The offers include gastric band surgery as an option for those wishing to change their lifestyle and lose weight. The surgery is minimally invasive and generally considered safe, with a low risk of complications. Patients can expect to experience a faster recovery time and improved health after the procedure.
Request the price

Don't Miss Out On Exclusive Gastric band Deals in Istanbul for 2024

Estherian Clinic
Turkey, Istanbul
Kurmay Celen
13 years of experience
Surgeon's portfolio
  • Implant type: Allurion gastric balloon
  • Kurmay Celen has specialized in weight loss surgery since 2011.
  • Estherian Clinic serves 600 patients annually from Europe, the Commonwealth, the USA, Canada, Australia, and CIS countries.
  • Included Services: Hospitalization, afterward hotel stay, transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport
  • Stay Info: 2 days stay in the hospital, 6 days stay in the hotel, included in the price

Discover the Best Gastric band Clinics in Istanbul: 31 Verified Options and Prices

You’ve viewed 9 of 31 clinics

Get a Medical Assessment for Gastric band in Istanbul: Select Your Expert from 10 Experienced Doctors

View all Doctors
verified
Suleyman Hilmi Ipekci
25 years of experience
Assoc. Prof. Süleyman İPEKÇİ, M.D. is a physician specializing in diabetes, thyroid and diabetes diseases, thyroid cancers, pituitary diseases, adrenal gland diseases, and hormone disorders. He graduated from Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, Istanbul University in 1999, completed his residency in 2005, his fellowship in 2010, and his training for Associate Professorship in 2016. He has authored 42 scientific articles published in international scientific journals and has participated in numerous national and international conferences and projects.
Get a free consultation
verified
Yasar Ozdenkaya
21 years of experience

Dr. Ozdenskaya has been practicing medicine since 1998, and has worked in several hospitals and clinics in the Istanbul area. Since 2012 he has been working as a general specialist in obesity surgery at Medipol Clinic, performing laparoscopic gastric sleeve resection, stomach resection with the da Vinci robot, gastric balloon and mini-gastric bypass operations.

Get a free consultation
verified
Halil Alis
32 years of experience
Dr. Halil Alis is a highly experienced general and laparoscopic surgeon specializing in colorectal surgery, obesity, and metabolic management. He has over 18 years of experience, treating a wide range of conditions related to the gastrointestinal tract. He has expertise in performing operations such as liver resection, appendectomy, gastric bypass, and many others. Dr. Alis is also a member of numerous international and local medical associations.
Get a free consultation
Author
Anna Leonova
Head of Content Marketing Team
Updated: 5/18/2024
The content accuracy and quality have been checked by Bookimed Medical Advisory Board

Reviews about Bookimed: Discover Patients' Insights

All reviews
Karen • Gastric band
United Kingdom
Dec 18, 2021
Verified review.
"I didn't want to leave
I spent 3 nights and days in this hospital and i didn't want to leave, all the staff from surgeon to cleaning staff where fantastic friendly professional informative and welcoming, the hospital is clean and organised there wasnt a single thing i wasnt impressed with, i will be returning next year and am looking forward to my stay in hospital and seeing all the wonderful staff again
About Bookimed service
Ive not requested or had any post op support as yet but am confident that if i need any questions answered they will be there for me immediately
Natalia Vilenskaia
Kyrgyzstan
Oct 10, 2022
Verified review.
The doctor from the first minute caused complete confidence
Excellent clinic. Very caring and skilled doctors. Despite the fact that I went to the gastrectomy operation alone, without an accompanying person, I did not feel for a single minute without attention and care. Thanks to my wonderful translator Elmira - she has become a real support. Special thanks to my coordinator Bakhtygul - she organized everything as comfortably and professionally as possible. The recovery room is excellent. Bright, with a beautiful view. My deep gratitude to all the staff of the surgical department (floor 1) for their kindness, attention, support, care. The doctor from the first minute caused complete confidence. I think he is a true professional and a wonderful surgeon. I definitely recommend the clinic for a competent, comprehensive examination, and for the treatment of serious problems.
About Bookimed service
Definitely satisfied! Thanks to the whole team.
Clare Turner • Gastric sleeve surgery (Sleeve gastrectomy)
United Kingdom
May 21, 2022
Verified review.
"THANK YOU with all my heart
Decided on surgery through using BOOKIMED. They helped me chose the right clinic & made initial contact for me. I chose Dr HE as due to extra research he is the most popular surgeon for bariatric surgery there is. I have lots of great things to say about the Emsey hospital ( upgraded at last minute when in Istanbul. But all was not possible without Bookimeds initial help. THANK YOU with all my heart.
About Bookimed service
Yes fully satisfied, Amazing surgery team, hospital staff. Hotel upgrade was great, but did not cater for post op food aka broth on their menu
Anonymous • Da Vinci Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Turkey
Nov 4, 2021
Verified review.
We had a very good translator that helped us
It was very easy we had a very good translator that helped us very friendly doctors and fast response thank you
About Bookimed service
Yes
Svitlana • Gastric sleeve surgery (Sleeve gastrectomy)
Poland
May 18, 2024
Verified review.
I am glad I chose this clinic, I recommend it to everyone
Everything was perfect. My personal driver met me at the airport and took me to the clinic in a luxury car. At the clinic I was met by the coordinator - interpreter Ismail. He helped me to get registered at the clinic and set preliminary analyses. The next day there was another coordinator - interpreter. She helped me through the remaining procedures before surgery. Many people come with an accompanying family member (mum, sister, husband) I came alone. So my coordinator sat with me in the room after surgery all day until I fully recovered, talking to me. All the days after the operation, the coordinators came several times a day to ask about my condition and my needs. All the doctors are very nice and attentive. All the staff, nurses, orderlies and other clinic staff are all very caring and nice. The ward is large and spacious. It has a toilet and a shower. There is a cupboard for personal belongings and a TV set. Meals are provided several times a day. The menu differs depending on the operation and some people can make their own diet. I am glad I chose this clinic, I recommend it to everyone. MANY THANKS TO DR ALIATIN AND MY COORDINATORS MRS BURCIN, MRS IZMAIL AND MRS OLENA.
Everything was so good, I can't even choose one thing to praise. Beautiful ward, the best staff.
...
About Bookimed service
Good online filing system. Large assortment of clinics. Pleasant supervisors. Everything is clear and accessible
Anonymous • Gastric sleeve surgery (Sleeve gastrectomy)
Spain
Jan 30, 2024
Verified review.
I don't know if it could have been improved in any way, so I rate this experience a 10 out of 10
From the beginning the process was adapted to my needs: flight dates and availability. In only 2 weeks everything was already organised and programmed. The fact that they gave me the planning by days helped a lot, apart from the personalised assistance I received from the coordinator and the dietician. They were able to answer my questions and doubts very quickly and accurately. They did everything in such a way that it didn't seem complicated at all. One day I had all the necessary tests, the next day I was operated on, another 3 days in hospital and that was it. The day of the surgery was a bit tough but the other 3 days were very bearable, with enough painkillers and plenty of saline solution. The day before the surgery, in the personal interview with the doctor, they gave me as much information as possible and cleared up any doubts, so I already knew beforehand what the process would be. The hospital staff helped a lot to make my experience a pleasant and positive one. I don't know if it could have been improved in any way, so I rate this experience a 10 out of 10.
All information received prior to the procedure.
I would have liked to be able to communicate better in English with the clinic staff.
jade Carter • Gastric sleeve surgery (Sleeve gastrectomy)
United Kingdom
Mar 29, 2024
Verified review.
They very much prioritise the patients health as all hospitals should but with the horror stories you hear in the media about health tourism is hard to find a hospital to trust, but lokman hekim is one that I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone and I think I picked the right place to have my gastric sleeve
I had an amazing experience with this hospital. The hospital itself was pristinely clean and the room I was given was luxurious and private. From all my pre op testing to after my surgery, everything flowed and was done so smoothly. The attention and care I got from the nurses post op put me at ease and made me feel so safe. They very much prioritise the patients health as all hospitals should but with the horror stories you hear in the media about health tourism is hard to find a hospital to trust, but lokman hekim is one that I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone and I think I picked the right place to have my gastric sleeve.
Nurses care and my translator
Prescriptions you have to pay for separately
About Bookimed service
Fast responses and very efficient
Anonymous • Gastric bypass
Germany
Feb 5, 2024
Verified review.
I have a recommendation this hospital to everyone
Yes evrithing its correct with doktor and staff, di helpful staff one moment i Help a recommendation dis hospital to everyone thanky from you,me respekt Julian Kule
About Bookimed service
Veri nice to Bay tickets and reservation to hotel
Ayoob Zainal • Gastric sleeve surgery (Sleeve gastrectomy)
Jan 10, 2024
Verified review.
AMAZING overall experience, I would recommend 10/10
I had a great experience with dr. Kaplan, he works with care and treats his patience with an utmost care, answering all questions and providing clarity when needed. The coordinator Madina was absolutely lovely, helping us out throughout the entire process making sure that we have everything we need, making this whole process stress free. The nutrition specialist Ece was very helpful not just with providing the plan, adjusting my diet and answering all my questions medically (nutritionally speaking) but she went out of her way to provide comfort to my mother that was accompanying me on this medical journey, which was immeasurably sweet and thoughtful. AMAZING overall experience, I would recommend 10/10.
The staff
Nothing
June McHenry • Gastric balloon
Italy
Oct 28, 2023
Verified review.
All arrangements happened as scheduled, airport transportation, transportation to hospital, hotel reservations. The hotel room was very nice. The hospital was very clean. All staff and doctors were professional and responsive.

FAQ about treatment in Turkey

Is it worth choosing Turkey for gastric band surgery?

Choosing Turkey for gastric band surgery is a worthy option due to its affordable prices, experienced surgeons, modern facilities, and the country's reputation for providing high-quality medical tourism.

We recommend that everyone who is getting prepared for gastric band operation do a thorough research of clinics and healthcare providers to get top-notch services.

The Ministry of Health and the Independent Turkish Medical Associations control medical facilities in Turkey. Most clinics in Turkey have the following accreditations:

  • JCI (Joint Commission International);

  • ISO (International Organization for Standardization);

  • JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) accreditations.

So, why Turkey is a worthy country to undergo gastric band operation?

  • Clinics meet JCI accreditation standards are among the top world-class medical institutions. Turkish medical facilities use the most modern techniques and medical equipment, and meet all the standards set by the international authorities, strictly following all healthcare guidelines.

  • Gastric band surgery in Turkey is much cheaper than in many European countries, It makes Turkey an attractive option for budget-conscious patients. For instance, the price of gastric band surgery in Turkey starts at $1500, while in the UK and USA, it ranges from $6000.

  • Certified bariatric surgeons experience the technique and train at the world’s high-rated clinics. They have accreditations from such organizations as JCI, ISO, the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity, and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

  • The availability of modern hospitals with high-tech equipment and high hygiene standards. The healthcare system in Turkey is supported by world-known universities and research institutes, getting sufficient funds for implementing high technologies in medicine.

  • Many hospitals provide patients with all-inclusive gastric band Turkey packages that cover surgery, accommodation, and after-surgery care.

  • No language barrier: most high-rated hospitals have English-speaking staff to ensure clear communication.

What is gastric band surgery?

Gastric band surgery is a bariatric operation that reduces the stomach’s size, making a person feel fuller after eating less food than usual. It involves placing a silicone band around the upper part of the stomach.

This way, it constricts its volume and reduces food consumption. This bariatric surgery helps lose weight by putting a small ring, which slows food to the stomach without leading to malabsorption.

It’s also known as adjustable gastric band operation, lap band, or laparoscopic banding (LAGB). The band itself is approved as an effective banding surgery for weight loss treatment by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

A bariatric surgeon places the stomach band around the upper portion of the stomach with the help of a laparoscope and attaches a tube to the ring. The tube is accessible via an injection port under the abdomen's skin.

The surgeon then injects a saline solution into the adjustable stomach band through this port to inflate it. It’s possible to change the level of constriction around the upper stomach, creating a small pouch above.

A smaller stomach can hold less food at a time, thus, increasing the feeling of fullness. As a result, a person lowers food consumption overall.

What are adjustable gastric band cost and packages in Turkey?

The gastric band cost in Turkey is up to 70% less than in the UK. That means you can save thousands of pounds.

The average gastric band surgery cost in Turkey ranges from $1500 to $4560. If you want to know how much does a gastric band cost in Turkey compared to the US and Western markets, here's a comparative table:

 

 

UK

USA

Germany

France

Turkey

Prices

$6,000 to $15,000

$5,000 to $30,000

$8,000 to $15,000

$8,000 to $20,000

$1500 to $4560

Package may offer

(included in the price)

  • Procedure

  • Post-op care

  • Hospital & hotel stay

  • Transfer

  • Consultation

  • Pre-op tests

  • Procedure

  • Post-op care

  • Hospital & hotel stay

  • Consultation

  • Warranty

  • Pre-op tests

  • Procedure

  • Post-op care

  • Consultation

  • Pre-op tests

  • Procedure

  • Post-op care

  • Hospital & hotel stay

  • Medication

  • Consultation

  • Pre-op tests

  • Procedure

  • Post-op care

  • Hospital & hotel stay

  • Medication

  • Consultation

 

Medical tourism in Turkey almost always provides patients with all-inclusive packages. It can include free services such as:

  • medical procedure;
  • hospital and hotel stays;
  • taxi transfer 'airport-hotel-clinic-airport';
  • language assistance;
  • medical consultation.

Still, medical packages can vary based on the healthcare provider. So, we recommend checking the specific clinic you're interested in to specify the package plan. Medical coordinators from Bookimed are available 24/7 to answer your questions and choose the best hospital and healthcare provider. To get comprehensive assistance, just leave your contacts on our website.

What is a gastric band, and how does it work?

Lap bands are made of silastic rubber with an inflatable balloon inside. It makes the band be adjusted. It's connected to an injection port placed under the abdomen's skin. The ring can be regulated with the help of a needle placed in the port, which fills the band with water.

A surgeon decides whether to loosen or tighten the bariatric band over time. A patient should visit a surgeon in four to six weeks to adjust a band. However, a patient can ask to change the tightness level earlier if he/she has some discomfort. 

If a patient has eating issues, can't lose weight, or vomits after each meal, it's recommended to ask a surgeon to adjust the band's tightness. Also, it's possible to regulate the amount of food a person can eat in the future.

Research displayed several groups of patients divided according to the length of follow-up. Patients from a subgroup 0-6 months had 0.6 adjustments per month and 18.3% of excess weight loss. While another group of 6-12 months had 0.4 adjustments per month and 27.2% of excess weight loss.

How is gastric banding procedure performed?

A patient receives general anesthesia, so they'll be asleep and won't feel pain. A surgeon uses a tiny camera called a laparoscope placed in the belly. This tool allows the doctor to see inside it. 

To summarize, these are key features of the restrictive band surgery:

  • Up to 5 minor surgical cuts are needed to place a laparoscope in the abdomen to start the operation.
  • A surgeon places a band around the upper stomach creating a small pouch at the top.
  • It implies no stapling inside the belly.
  • The duration of the operation is 30 to 60 minutes.

After the procedure, a stomach, namely a small pouch at the top, will fill quickly. So, a patient will feel full when eating a smaller amount of food than they used to consume before.

Research on the long-term outcomes after the lap band surgery indicated the following data. 125 patients participated in the analysis, with a body weight of around 120 kg and a BMI of 44 kg/m2. The success rate was 50 % after the procedure, with 43% removing a band in 54 months, while 29% of patients underwent their second weight loss operation.

The failure rate of a gastric band surgery is 10-15%, as patients who fail don't follow the rules for success, meaning neglecting lifestyle and balanced diet.

What are the requirements to undergo gastric band surgery?

Doctors recommend gastric band surgery to those patients who meet the below-mentioned indications:

  • A body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher or a BMI of 35 or higher with one obesity-related comorbid condition, i.e., hypertension, diabetes, and severe musculoskeletal issues.

  • Having unsuccessful nonoperative weight loss attempts.

  • Be an adult (18 years old minimum).

  • Having excess weight for more than 5 years.

  • Not having any other disease that caused obesity.

  • Being in good mental health, with no dependencies.

  • Being out of any medical contraindications to bariatric surgery.

  • Having done medical follow-ups frequently.

  • Consult a surgeon before the procedure to get a customized evaluation to be ready for surgery.

Laparoscopic gastric band surgery is an effective way to treat morbid obesity. However, the weight won't come off by itself. Besides limiting food intake via surgery and slowing digestion, people should be highly motivated to adopt new lifestyle changes and diet regimes.

What is pre- and postoperative care of gastric band procedure in Turkey?

Before the operation, a surgeon will ask a patient to make tests and visit other medical specialists to verify a patient's current health condition. It can include the following tests and visits:

  • Blood and other tests, i.e., EKG and X-ray, to ensure a person is an eligible candidate for gastric band surgery.

  • Prior consultation with a personal healthcare provider, surgeon, or a pre-op nurse about surgery details: what happens before, during, and after the operation, and what side effects may occur.

  • Make a physical exam, an all-inclusive health examination including a medical history review, lungs, heart, chest, and abdomen check-ups, discussing medications, some pre-op steps, etc.

  • Check a nutrition plan.

  • Visit a psychologist to get emotionally ready for the surgery.

If a patient smokes regularly, it's necessary to stop smoking several weeks ahead of the surgery to mitigate the risks and facilitate a recovery process.

Don't forget to share with your healthcare provider or surgeon whether you consume some medicines, vitamins, or other supplements that can influence the surgery preparation. Also, tell a doctor if a woman is pregnant or might be pregnant. A patient also should see an anesthesiologist to discuss the medicine given that will make them sleep during the procedure.

A week before the surgery. A patient should stop taking particular medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), vitamin E, and warfarin (Coumadin), which can make it hard for blood to clot. A day before the operation, a patient should follow these instructions:

  • don't eat or drink anything for 6 hours before the surgery

  • take the medicines a doctor told to take with a small sip of water

  • arrive at the clinic at the defined time.

What about postoperative care? A patient can return home on the day of the surgery. However, it depends on the health state, so monitoring it attentively for several hours after the surgery is essential. Also, a person can begin an everyday life several days after the gastric band operation. It's recommended to take one week's vacation from work.

The diet regime will differ significantly from the initial one: a patient will stay mostly on liquids and mashed soft foods. Returning to regular meals just six weeks after the operation is possible.

Behavior changes and diet compliance play a crucial role in the long-term success of the procedure.

What are the benefits and risks of gastric band surgery?

As with any other surgical procedure, gastric band operation has advantages and disadvantages. Consider its pros and cons to define whether this surgery type is appropriate for losing sufficient weight.

Benefits of a lap band surgery

  1. Adjustability and reversibility.

Gastric bands can be adjusted over time to control the amount of food taken. It helps to get the optimal process of losing weight. A surgeon can loose or tighten with the help of a saline solution that is added or removed through the port under the skin.

This function allows healthcare providers to manage the restriction level based on a patient's weight loss progress and objectives. Another option is that gastric bands are reversible: they can be removed easily, making the stomach return to its initial size and functionality.

  1. Low-invasive operation.

Compared to other weight loss surgeries, lap band operation is less invasive. It involves just small incisions, with a short recovery and possibly fewer complications. Gastrointestinal tract and absorption processes are not disrupted like in gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgeries since no stomach or intestine portions are removed. Patients feel less discomfort and can return to normal life in a shorter time.

  1. Gradual weight reduction.

This surgery involves gradual weight loss. A lap band creates a small pouch at the upper portion of the stomach, limiting the amount of food a patient can consume at one time. So, a person feels fuller with smaller portions and consequently gets fewer calories.

Losing weight gradually enables the body to adapt to the food intake and mitigates the risk of nutrient deficiency because of rapid weight loss. As a result, a patient gets a long-term reduction of weight maintenance over time.

  1. Low risk of nutritional deficiency.

As this surgery involves no cuts to the stomach and intestine, there are no problems with absorption and nutritional deficiency compared to other weight loss operations. Gastric banding doesn't interfere with digestion and absorption of nutrients. The stomach ring simply restricts the amount of food that enters the stomach.

  1. Absence of dumping syndrome.

This side effect is common for such weight loss surgical interventions as gastric sleeve and gastric bypass. This means that a reduced stomach after the surgery can't accommodate the amount of food taken before the operation.

As a result, even a small meal can cause vomiting and nausea. The reason is the removal of a great part of the stomach. With the gastric banding procedure, there's no incision, so the dumping syndrome is fully eliminated.

Drawbacks of gastric banding

  1. Slower weight loss process.

Gastric lap banding is characterized by slower progress in weight loss. The difference is that in other bariatric operations, a surgeon removes a great portion of the stomach by diminishing the feeling of hunger. However, the hunger hormone ghrelin remains during the lap band surgery, leading to less weight reduction.

  1. Need for regular band adjustments.

It's necessary to adjust the band in four to six weeks to facilitate the weight loss process and foresee possible gastric band surgery complications. So, a patient has to visit a healthcare provider to make this change and achieve long-term success.

  1. Possible complications.

There may occur some complications after the surgery: band intolerance, band erosion, or slippage, you should know how to prevent them on time. Such issues require extra surgical involvement or even lap band removal.

  1. Lifestyle changes and dietary limitations.

Because of a restriction at the top part of the stomach, a patient should consume mashed and well-grinded food. A patient should consult a surgical dietitian to ask what meal is allowed. Thus, this surgery requires diet and lifestyle modification, including physical activities.

How much weight can I lose with a gastric band?

Generally, the weight comes off slower than with other weight reduction operations. A person should keep losing weight for 3 years maximum. The average weight loss ratio is about one-third to one-half of the excess weight. After gastric band surgery, patients can lose between 40% and 50% of their excess body weight in the first year.

Losing weight after gastric band surgery can improve health conditions if patients suffering from breathing problems, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), cardiovascular issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and sleep disorder.

Reference list

  1. J. Khoraki, M.G. Moraes, A.P.F. Neto. Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. The American Journal of Surgery, 215 (January (1)) (2018), pp. 97-103.

  2. Clément Tavernier, Maud Robert, Julie Perinel. Long-term outcomes of gastric banding: Experience of a single tertiary care center specialized in bariatric surgery. Surgery Open Digestive Advance, Volume 1, February 2021.

  3. Evan Valle, Minh B Luu, Khristi Autajay. Frequency of adjustments and weight loss after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Obes Surg. 2012; 22, p.1880-1883.

  4. Cunneen S.A. Review of meta-analytic comparisons of bariatric surgery with a focus on laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Surgery for obesity and related diseases. 2008 May-Jun; 4: p.47-55.

  5. Tammy Kindel M.D., Emily Martin B.A., Eric Hungness M.D. High failure rate of the laparoscopic-adjustable gastric band as a primary bariatric procedure. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, Volume 10, Issue 6, November–December 2014, p.1070-1075.