Gastric band in Turkey

Gastric banding (adjustable gastric band) is a reversible weight loss surgery that allows the patient to significantly reduce appetite and the amount of food taken, and effectively lose excess weight.

In contrast with other bariatric procedures, the stomach band is less invasive and requires less time to recover.

This procedure is intended for overweight people with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 and over. However, this operation is not suitable for people with very high body weight, because the bandage requires constant adjustment.

It is also a suitable option for people with a body mass index of 30+ suffering from serious diseases (diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, metabolic syndrome, etc.) and for those individuals who tried to lose weight with the help of diet and regular exercise, but the results were not achieved.

The gastric band is also not suitable for people under the age of 18 and over 55 or people with alcohol or drug addiction. The best weight loss option for you can be chosen only after the consultation with an experienced specialist in bariatric surgery.

Compared to other bariatric procedures, gastric banding in Turkey has the following advantages:

• less risk of complications
• non-invasiveness
• possibility of adjustment
• does not affect digestion
• faster recovery.

However, the surgery has also some disadvantages as:

• slower weight loss
• the requirement of band adjustment.

Read more about pros and cons of gastric band here.

Preparation starts from the complete body examination that includes:

• blood and urine tests
• electrocardiography (ECG)
• chest X-ray
• abdominal ultrasound 
• blood test for viral infections (AIDS, hepatitis, syphilis, etc.) 
• coagulogram (blood clotting test)
• consultations with a nutritionist and anesthetist.

A very important step in preparation is a special diet. It aims to quickly and efficiently burn fat in the liver cells. A week before the operation, the patient should stop taking any medication that affects blood coagulation.

6-8 hours before the procedure, the patient stops taking fluid and food. At this time, the specialist performs cleansing enema. The operation is carried out in the morning on an empty stomach.

Around the upper part of the stomach, the bariatric surgeon installs a special adjustable bandage that narrows the part of the stomach reducing the passage for food. That’s why, food comes in more slowly and the patient is saturated much faster with less amount of food.

The bandage can be adjusted even after installation to meet your weight loss requirements. The surgeon makes are left under the skin, through which the gastric band is adjusted by injection of liquid.

Gastric banding in Turkey is a minimally invasive surgery and is performed laparoscopically (through small incisions in the abdomen). The procedure takes an hour. The patient is under general anesthesia. After gastric band surgery, the patient stays in a hospital for 1 day. 

The recovery period takes 3-4 weeks. During the first week after the procedure, the patient should stay at home and not work. 

During the first few days after gastric band surgery, the patient must keep a liquid diet (learn more about eating after the procedure here).Semi-liquid and soft foods can be taken in 3 days after the operation. 

In 3-4 weeks, the patient can come back to the usual lifestyle. The gastric bandage does not affect the digestion, so the patient will not need to take additional mineral and vitamin supplements.

Like any other operation, gastric banding surgery in Turkey involves certain risks. The most common complications after the operation are:

• bleeding
• inflammation
• scarring
• numbness of the skin and other tissues
• band rejection (only in 0.002% of cases).

Read more about the gastric band risks here.

Healthcare is the key development sector of the Turkish government. The Turkish authorities are convinced that care for the citizens' health should be an absolute priority of state policy and spend about 77 billion liras for healthcare annually.

As a result, 28,000 medical facilities provide excellent medical care in the country. About 50 centers have certificate of JCI (Joint Commission International), the international improver of healthcare quality and safety across the globe. The index of certificates obtained is the largest. To compare, Israel has 20 JCI-accredited facilities, and Germany — only 10 clinics of this type.

Turkey is also a well-known country globally due to high-skilled doctors that undergo internships in American and European institutions. Patients from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Jordan, and Lebanon prefer treatment in Turkey to other places.

Highly developed medical centers and first-rate therapeutic services at affordable prices attract people from all over the world. Over 1 mln international patients travel to Turkey annually. So Turkey is among Top 10 countries with the most developed medical tourism sector.

Turkey is a top destination for medical tourists because of low-costs. You may save up to 50% on services compared to European countries or the USA due to the average local citizens' income and general price policy within the country.

In Turkey, hotels of different price ranges and service levels are presented. The level of Turkish hotels is comparable to hotels in Tunisia, Morocco or Egypt. Most tourists choose 4 and 5 star hotels with all-inclusive meals. Such hotels have everything for a comfortable stay: varied food, a large well-groomed territory, animation for children and adults. Some hotels have their own water park, which guests can use for free. Budget travelers can afford to book an economical 3-star hotel with half board or no meals at all.

The main advantage of Turkish resorts is the long beach season. On the Mediterranean coast, it starts in April and lasts until November. In the resorts of the Aegean Sea — from May to October. The most comfortable time for swimming is from mid-June to the end of October. A large influx of tourists is in July-August, when the air temperature is +38°C, and the water warms up to +27°C.

In 2020, the Republic of Turkey has visa-free agreements with 89 states. Some foreigners are exempted from obtaining entry visas, others are required to receive an electronic visa (e-Visa), and still others must apply for a visa at Turkish missions abroad.

What states need a visa for treatment in Turkey and what countries can cross the border free and easy read here.

Visas for travel to Turkey require a number of documents. The necessary papers can be submitted 90 days before the planned departure. Lists of documents includes:

• ID card
• confirmation of online registration and filling out the questionnaire
• certificate of income and availability of funds ($50 per day per person)
• insurance policy for a stay in Turkey (original and copy)
• 2 photos (5x6)
• visa receipt
• booking of flight and hotel
• medical opinion about the need for treatment.