Gastric band in Turkey: reversible, adjustable obesity surgery
Everything you need to know about having a gastric band fitted in Turkey: who it is for, how the operation works, adjustments, results, risks and price.
What is a gastric band in Turkey?
A gastric band in Turkey is intended for adults with a BMI of at least 40, or at least 35 with a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea, after medical and dietary follow-up has failed. The surgeon places a silicone band around the top of the stomach, by laparoscopy, under general anesthesia, in 1 to 2 hours. The band creates a small pouch that fills quickly: you feel full with small portions. No part of the stomach is removed and the band can be taken out. Plan on 4 to 5 days in Turkey, including 1 night in hospital. With TurquieMed, prices start from €3,900.
TurquieMed organizes your stay: review of your file by a surgeon, opinion and detailed quote within 48 hours, airport pick-up, transfers, hotel, interpreter and 7-day-a-week assistance.
To choose well, check the surgeon’s experience with gastric bands, the brand of band used, and above all who will carry out the adjustments after you return home: this is the key to the result.
- Technique
- Laparoscopy, through small incisions
- Anesthesia
- General
- Hospital stay
- Usually 1 night
- Follow-up
- Regular adjustments and dietary follow-up
How much does a gastric band cost in Turkey?
In Turkey, a gastric band costs on average €3,500 to €4,500. With TurquieMed, the package starts from €3,900. The final price depends on the hospital, the surgeon, the brand of band, the pre-operative tests and the length of stay. It appears on your free quote, prepared after your medical file has been reviewed.
Gastric band package
- VIP airport transfer
- 3 nights in a 4* hotel (breakfast)
- Pre-operative tests (blood tests, gastroscopy)
- TurquieMed assistance 7 days a week
- Hotel / clinic transfers
- Consultation with the surgeon and anesthetist
- Medication in hospital
- 3 meals a day in the clinic
- 1 night in hospital
- Laparoscopic placement of your band
- Interpreter service in the clinic
- Check-up visit before departure
Package price
from €3,900
Indicative, non-contractual price. The final price is set in a personalized quote, after your medical file has been reviewed, and may be higher. Flight, adjustments after your return and any additional tests not included, unless stated on your quote.
Why have a gastric band fitted in Turkey?
The gastric band is the least invasive obesity operation and the only fully reversible one. Its effectiveness depends on choosing the right patients and on adjustments after placement, two points Turkish teams know well.
- Laparoscopic placement. The band is placed around the top of the stomach through small incisions, in 1 to 2 hours, with just one night in hospital.
- A check-up before placement. Blood tests, gastroscopy and a consultation with the surgeon confirm that the band suits your weight, eating habits and health.
- The first adjustment explained. The surgeon explains how adjustments are made through the port under the skin, so they can continue close to home.
- A reversible solution. The band can be loosened or removed if needed, without altering the stomach or intestine.
- An all-inclusive package. VIP transfer, 4* hotel, tests, procedure, hospital stay, medication, interpreter and TurquieMed assistance 7 days a week.
How does a gastric band work?
A small pouch above the band
The band is placed just below the entrance to the stomach. It creates a small pouch of about 15 to 20 ml that fills after a few mouthfuls. The feeling of fullness comes sooner and you eat less.
An adjustable band
The band is connected by a thin tube to a small port placed under the skin of the abdomen. By injecting or withdrawing saline through this port with a simple needle, the doctor tightens or loosens the band. These adjustments are made during a consultation, without anesthesia, in a few minutes.
A reversible operation
The stomach is neither cut nor stapled. If needed, the band can be removed by laparoscopy, and the stomach returns to its original shape.
Gastric band or another obesity treatment?
The band has the advantage of being reversible and adjustable. On the other hand, weight loss is on average smaller and slower than with a sleeve or bypass, and it requires regular adjustments. This is why it is fitted less often today than a few years ago. The surgeon will guide you according to your BMI, your health conditions and your eating habits.
| Criterion | Gastric band | Gastric balloon | Gastric botox | Gastric plication | Gastric sleeve | Gastric bypass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price in Turkey | From €3,900 | From €1,500 | From €1,500 | €3,500 to €4,500 | From €2,800 | From €4,000 |
| Technique | Laparoscopy | Endoscopy, no incision | Endoscopy, no incision | Laparoscopy | Laparoscopy | Laparoscopy |
| Procedure time | 1 to 2 hours | 20 to 30 minutes | 15 to 20 minutes | 1 to 2 hours | 1 to 2 hours | 2 to 3 hours |
| Average weight loss | 15 to 20% of body weight | 10 to 15% of body weight in 6 months | Modest, a few kilos | 20 to 25% of body weight | 25 to 30% of body weight in the 1st year | 30 to 35% of body weight |
| Reversible | Yes | Yes (temporary) | Yes (temporary effect) | Partly | No | Difficult |
| Changes to the intestine | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Risk of deficiencies | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High |
These figures are indicative and vary between patients, surgeons and techniques.
For a detailed comparison, see our guides to the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and gastric balloon.
Who can have a gastric band?
The band is intended for adults who meet the criteria for obesity surgery:
- a BMI of at least 40, or at least 35 with a weight-related condition;
- failure of serious medical and dietary follow-up for 6 to 12 months;
- the ability to attend regular adjustments and follow strict eating rules;
- ideally, someone who eats regular meals rather than snacking or drinking sugary drinks.
To calculate your BMI, divide your weight by your height squared: 110 kg for 1.70 m gives a BMI of 38.
When a band is not recommended
- frequent snacking or sugary drinks, which pass easily through the band;
- severe reflux or a large hiatal hernia;
- untreated serious eating disorders;
- alcohol or substance dependence;
- current pregnancy.
How is a gastric band fitted in Turkey?
- You send your file. Weight, height, medical history, treatments and recent tests.
- The surgeon reviews it. They confirm whether the band is right for you and you receive your quote.
- Day 1: arrival and tests. Airport pick-up, consultation with the surgeon and anesthetist, blood tests and gastroscopy.
- Day 2: the operation. Laparoscopic band placement, in 1 to 2 hours, under general anesthesia. You walk the same evening or the next day.
- Day 3: discharge from hospital. After a night of monitoring, you return to the hotel with your eating plan.
- Days 4 and 5: check-up and return. Final visit with the surgeon, handover of the report and your band card, then flight home.
The band is fitted empty. The first adjustment is usually made 4 to 6 weeks after the operation, once healing is complete.
After placement: eating, adjustments and results
Eating
For the first 2 weeks, you only take liquids. In weeks 3 and 4, you move on to puréed foods, then soft foods. You return to normal eating at around 6 weeks, in small portions: eat slowly, chew well and stop at the first feeling of fullness. Avoid drinking during meals and limit sugary drinks, which pass through the band without making you feel full.
Adjustments
In the first year, 4 to 6 adjustments are usually needed to find the right tightness: enough to feel full, not so much that you vomit. Before you leave, find a surgeon or doctor near your home who knows how to adjust a band.
Results
Weight loss is more gradual than with a sleeve: on average 15 to 20% of starting weight, or 40 to 50% of excess weight, over 1 to 2 years. It depends greatly on following the eating rules and keeping up with adjustments.
Daily life
You can return to office work after about 1 week, and gradually resume sport after 3 to 4 weeks. Pregnancy is possible with a band, provided you tell your doctor, who can loosen it.
What are the risks of a gastric band?
A gastric band is one of the lightest obesity operations: the stomach is neither cut nor stapled, and most patients leave hospital the next day. Serious complications are rare. They are mainly mechanical and are usually corrected by an adjustment or a short procedure.
The most common effects
| Effect | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Pain and tiredness in the first days | Normal after laparoscopy | Relieved by medication, they ease within a few days |
| Vomiting | Eating too fast or band too tight | Corrected by eating more slowly or loosening the band |
| Reflux | Acid coming back up | Usually well treated with medication or an adjustment |
Rare complications
They are uncommon, but it is important to know them so you can react quickly if a symptom appears.
| Complication | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Band slippage | The band moves on the stomach | Corrected by loosening or a short procedure |
| Pouch dilation | The small pouch becomes larger | Often linked to overly large meals, hence the importance of the eating rules |
| Port problem | The port moves or the tube leaks | Repaired by a minor procedure under the skin |
| Band erosion | The band wears into the stomach wall | Rare, the band is then removed |
To reduce these risks, choose an experienced surgeon, attend your adjustments regularly and follow the eating rules: eat slowly, small portions, no drinking during meals.
How to choose your hospital and quote?
A low price is not enough. Ask the hospital these questions before committing:
- Is the hospital authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Health to treat international patients?
- Who will perform the band placement, and how experienced are they with this technique?
- Which brand of band is used, and who will carry out the adjustments after your return?
- Who takes care of a complication, on site and after your return home?
- What medical and nutritional follow-up is planned, and with whom?
What a good quote should specify
- The name of the hospital and the doctor
- The tests, anesthesia, hospital stay and medication included
- The number of nights in hospital and at the hotel, and the transfers
- What happens in case of complication or cancellation
- The follow-up offered after your return
Also budget for your flight and follow-up consultations. Planned treatment in Turkey is usually not covered by public health insurance: ask your insurer in writing before committing.
Take time to think, and be wary of any offer that pushes you to decide quickly.
Our partner hospitals in Turkey
Frequently asked questions about the gastric band in Turkey
How much does a gastric band cost in Turkey?
In Turkey, a gastric band costs on average €3,500 to €4,500. With TurquieMed, the package starts from €3,900: VIP airport transfer, 3 nights in a 4* hotel, pre-operative tests, consultation, band placement, 1 night in hospital, medication, meals in the clinic, interpreter and assistance 7 days a week. The flight and adjustments after your return are not included, unless stated on your quote.
How much weight can you lose with a gastric band?
On average 15 to 20% of starting weight, or 40 to 50% of excess weight, over 1 to 2 years. For a person weighing 120 kg, this often means 18 to 24 kg. Weight loss is slower than with a sleeve: about 0.5 to 1 kg per week in the first months. It depends greatly on adjustments and on following the eating rules.
How long do I need to stay in Turkey?
Plan on 4 to 5 days: tests on the day you arrive, the operation the next day, 1 night in hospital, then 1 to 2 days at the hotel before a final check-up. The surgeon then gives you the go-ahead to fly. During the flight, get up regularly and drink in small sips.
How are band adjustments made?
The doctor injects or withdraws a few milliliters of saline through the small port under the skin of the abdomen, using a fine needle. It takes a few minutes, without anesthesia. The first adjustment takes place 4 to 6 weeks after the operation, and 4 to 6 are usually needed in the first year. They can be done in Turkey or by an obesity surgeon near your home: arrange this before you travel.
Can a gastric band be removed?
Yes, that is its main advantage. The band can be removed by laparoscopy, usually in less than an hour, and the stomach returns to its original shape. Removal is sometimes combined, in the same operation or later, with a sleeve or bypass if weight loss is insufficient.
What is the difference between a gastric band and a sleeve?
The band is reversible and adjustable, but requires adjustments and leads to an average loss of 15 to 20% of body weight. The sleeve removes about three quarters of the stomach: it is permanent, but leads to an average loss of 25 to 30% of body weight in the first year, with no adjustments. With TurquieMed, the band starts from €3,900 and the sleeve from €2,800.
What can you eat with a gastric band?
After the liquid and then puréed phases, you can eat everything, in small portions. Eat slowly, over 20 to 30 minutes, cut food into small pieces and chew well. The foods that pass with most difficulty are often dry meat, fresh bread and tough fibers. Avoid sugary and fizzy drinks, and do not drink during meals.
Is a gastric band covered by insurance?
Planned obesity surgery in Turkey is usually not covered by public health insurance systems, even when the same operation would be covered at home. Follow-up care at home is generally covered as usual. Some private insurers and international health plans do cover treatment abroad: ask your insurer in writing before you travel.
Your gastric band project in Turkey
Send us your weight, height, medical history and current treatments. You will receive an opinion and a free quote after your file has been reviewed.
