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Advantages of Gastric Balloon Abroad 

Most patients seeking weight loss surgeries want a quick solution to turn their life around and start a healthy lifestyle. Having a gastric balloon abroad will help you avoid waiting lists and drastically cut the procedure's cost.

The quality and standard of bariatric surgeons abroad add to the appeal of traveling outside your country to have the treatment. There are other appeals to having gastric balloon surgery abroad:

It is safe to have the procedure abroad. 

You will find the surgeons are highly experienced with years of practice. Their clinics are accredited by renowned institutions like Joint Commission International JCI or International Organization for Standardization ISO.

The procedure is more affordable abroad.

The cost of health care in the US, UK, and Australia has risen for the past few years. Gastric balloon surgery costs 40% - 50% less abroad.

You can access more treatment options. 

Traveling abroad to treat obesity will open other possibilities or introduce a better, more effective treatment.

Treatment that's worth your money 

Finding a specialist abroad will be more cost-effective for you than visiting a regular doctor in your local country.

You get access to better patient care services and no waiting list.

Most doctors usually see their patients once a month. So, an average doctor spends fewer than seven minutes with a patient. Ultimately, this means that patients don't experience good patient care services from their doctors.

On the other hand, you can expect to be treated with care and respect when you go for bariatric surgery abroad.

Doctors abroad speak and communicate in English. 

Some patients might hesitate to consider having treatment abroad because of language or cultural barriers. But in medical tourism destinations like Turkey, Hungary, and Poland, the doctors regularly serve international patients. They can communicate in good English.

Some doctors had their training abroad, which explains their good English proficiency. Also, their clinics have assistants who communicate in English.

Tips for choosing a suitable Gastric Balloon clinic abroad 

  • Verify the surgeon's experience. Ask about the surgeon's education, additional fellowship training, and how many times they performed the treatment. 
  • Schedule an online consultation. Most clinics or hospitals that work with international patients offer this service. 
  • Prepare a list of questions for your doctor: prepare a list of questions to ensure you receive quality treatment. Common questions to ask - do they provide a translator? Do they have patients' testimonials? Is the clinic registered with the national association? Where will the procedure be performed? 
  • Trust your instincts:  This personal element should not be underestimated when undertaken in a foreign country and in unfamiliar surroundings. For this reason, you should trust your instincts as much as the other information. If a clinic feels wrong, then walk away.
  • Create a shortlist of possible clinics/hospitals abroad:  research the clinic you're planning to visit overseas for your gastric balloon surgery abroad. Most reputable clinics will have an official website, and you can examine the surgeon's expertise, reviews, and credentials. 
  • Check the local regulation: It is essential to know how the treatment is regulated in your chosen country. This will help you identify reputable clinics registered with the governing body or national association. It will also tell you about your rights.

Ideal Candidate for Gastric Balloon Abroad

You're an ideal candidate for gastric balloons abroad if you want to lose weight to reduce surgical risks. Also, the gastric balloon can be performed as a standalone procedure to lose weight.

You're an ideal candidate if your body mass index (BMI) is between 30 - 40 and you are willing to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Gastric Balloon Cost Abroad 

Some of the factors that affect the cost are the location of the clinics, the surgeon's experience, and the technique used.

Country Estimated Cost
UK

€2600 - €6000

USA

€6000 - €9000

Turkey

€1890 - €2450

Australia 

€5000 - €7000

Learn more about Gastric Balloon in Turkey by comparing costs and reviewing the clinics and doctors.

Gastric Balloon Clinics(46 Clinics)

SORTED BY:
Luna Clinic Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
Luna Clinic Turkey Verified
  • Preliminary and follow-up examination
  • 98% would recommend
  • 1000+ operations last year
  • Internationally trained surgeons
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From
€1,890
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Istanbul European Clinic
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul European Clinic Verified
  • 97% would recommend
  • Uses cutting-edge tech
  • Accredited by TSAPS (Turkish Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery)
  • Well-equipped staff
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From
€1,950
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Medical Park Gaziosmanpasa Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey
Medical Park Gaziosmanpasa Hospital Verified
  • Biggest private hospital in Istanbul
  • Advanced post-op care system
  • Internationally trained surgeons
  • JCI accredited clinic
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From
€2,300
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Erdem Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey
Erdem Hospital Verified
  • ISO 9001 Certified
  • Uses the top-notch technology
  • 20,000 square meters
  • 150-bed capacity
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From
€2,400
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Memorial Sisli Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey
Memorial Sisli Hospital Verified
  • Popular by international patients
  • 200 bed capacity
  • JCI-Certified
  • Has an advanced medical technology
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From
€2,400
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Florence Nightingale Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey
Florence Nightingale Istanbul Verified
  • Accredited by ISO, JCI and the TUV
  • Premium facility
  • Follows the latest treatment trends
  • 700 bed capacity
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From
€2,650
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Acibadem Maslak Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey
Acibadem Maslak Hospital Verified
  • 90% would recommend
  • ISO 9001:2008 and JCI accreditations
  • Leed Gold Certified
  • 231 patient rooms
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From
€2,900
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Kent Hospital
Izmir, Turkey
Kent Hospital Verified
  • 95% would recommend
  • Advanced technology investment
  • 1000+ treatments last year
  • Founded in 2008
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From
€2,200
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Medipol Mega University Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey
Medipol Mega University Hospital Verified
  • One of Turkey's largest hospitals
  • Accredited by ISO, JCI and the TUV
  • High review rate
  • Online doctor consultations
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From
€2,800
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Liv Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey
Liv Hospital Verified
  • 95% would recommend
  • Online doctor consultation
  • Great location
  • Open weekends
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From
€2,450
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By Abdulaziz Ali - Medically reviewed by Prof. Cuneyt Kayaalp, on Feb 01, 2024

Gastric Balloon Risks Abroad 

Intragastric balloons are safely used worldwide in individuals with obesity or overweight. Complications are very rare and may be easily treated. Nausea, vomiting, and cramps may occur during the first 2 or 3 days after the placement of the balloon.

Certain medications are prescribed prior to hospital discharge to prevent such complications from occurring. Such symptoms disappear after the first 2 or 3 days. The risk of a balloon rupture is not common. But the liquid inside the balloon may leak.

The leak and deflation of the balloon may be easily detected by the blue color of the urine as the balloon is inflated with methylene blue. If you notice such a color change, please contact your doctor immediately for the balloon to be checked endoscopically and removed if necessary.

Common Complications of Gastric Balloon Surgery 

  • Abdominal or back pain
  • Feeling imbalanced
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Acid reflux or indigestion.
  • Balloon rupture
  • Injury during insertion or removal

Gastric Balloon Treatment Recovery Timeline

The procedure is simple, fast, and non-invasive. Meaning there is no downtime. After your doctor inserts the balloon in your stomach, you can leave the hospital. Expect to experience a mild sore throat because of the tube insertion.

Expect full recovery after 3 - 4 days from the procedure. You can return to work one week after the procedure. Follow your doctor's dietary guidelines.

Gastric Balloon Surgery Success Rate: 

Most patients report a high satisfaction rate, and gastric balloon surgery has a success rate of 75% 

How is the Gastric Balloon Procedure Performed?

The procedure is simple and fast, lasts between 15 and 20 minutes, and does not require hospitalization. Intragastric balloon treatment lasts 6 or 12 months. After this time, the balloon is removed with almost the same procedure. The average weight loss with the gastric balloon is between 20 - 25 kg.

However, it is possible to lose more or less weight depending on the tolerance of each patient to the balloon and the consistency of the same concerning the diet that the medical team has designated.

How To Prepare For The Gastric Balloon Surgery  

  • A week before the procedure, you should stop taking Aspirin and any other medication that causes blood thinning.
  • If you are allergic to any drugs, you should inform your surgeon as soon as possible.
  • Avoid smoking before the surgery.
  • Consuming any alcoholic beverages can affect anesthesia. So it would be best if you did not take in anything alcoholic before surgery.
  • Follow your doctor-prescribed medication that adjusts your current medicines. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

What Is the Gastric Balloon For?

The gastric balloon is a silicone balloon that is placed in the stomach, to intervene in the satiety receptors and give the patient a feeling of fullness in less time, limiting food intake and causing weight loss.

How Much Weight Will I Lose with Gastric Balloon?

The proper rate to lose weight in any treatment for obesity should be around 1 kg a week. The degree of weight loss achievement will depend on the strict following of the post-operative diet.

Will I Gain Weight Again Later?

You will have a better chance of maintaining weight loss after removing the balloon if you maintain the habits acquired in your diet and eating behavior during the use of the balloon.