Gastric botox in Turkey: reduce your appetite without surgery
Everything you need to know about gastric botox in Turkey: who it is for, how the injection works, the results to expect, possible side effects and price.
What is gastric botox in Turkey?
Gastric botox in Turkey is intended for adults who are overweight or moderately obese, usually with a BMI between 25 and 35, who want to lose a few kilos with the help of an eating plan, without surgery. The doctor injects botulinum toxin into the stomach wall by endoscopy, under sedation, in 15 to 20 minutes. The stomach empties more slowly and hunger comes later. The effect lasts about 4 to 6 months. You return to the hotel the same day: plan on 2 to 3 days in Turkey. With TurquieMed, prices start from €1,500.
TurquieMed organizes your stay: review of your file by a doctor, opinion and detailed quote within 48 hours, airport pick-up, transfers, hotel, interpreter and 7-day-a-week assistance.
To choose well, check that the injection is performed by a gastroenterologist under endoscopic guidance, with a product of verified origin, and that you are given an eating plan.
- Technique
- Endoscopy, no incision
- Anesthesia
- Light sedation
- Hospital stay
- None, back to the hotel the same day
- Duration of effect
- About 4 to 6 months
How much does gastric botox cost in Turkey?
With TurquieMed, gastric botox in Turkey costs from €1,500. The final price depends on the hospital, the doctor, the tests and the length of stay. It appears on your free quote, prepared after your medical file has been reviewed.
Gastric botox package
- VIP airport transfer
- 2 nights in a 4* hotel (breakfast)
- Medical check-up
- TurquieMed assistance 7 days a week
- Hotel / clinic transfers
- Laboratory tests
- Endoscopic botox injection under sedation
- Medication
- Eating plan
- Interpreter service in the clinic
- Doctor’s visit
Package price
from €1,500
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 and any additional tests not included, unless stated on your quote.
Why have gastric botox in Turkey?
Gastric botox is the lightest weight-loss treatment: an endoscopic injection, with no incision and no hospital stay. It suits moderate weight loss, combined with a real change in habits.
- Gastroenterologists trained in endoscopy. The injection is performed by an endoscopy specialist, under light sedation, in 15 to 20 minutes.
- A check of the stomach at the same time. The endoscopy also allows the condition of the stomach to be checked during the procedure.
- A stay of 2 to 3 days. Consultation, injection and return to the hotel the same day: the treatment fits into a short stay.
- Nutritional advice. The appetite-suppressing effect lasts a few months: it comes with advice to change your eating habits for good.
- A simple, affordable package. VIP transfer, hotel, consultation, injection, interpreter and TurquieMed assistance 7 days a week.
How does gastric botox work?
A stomach that empties more slowly
Botulinum toxin relaxes some of the stomach muscles. Food stays in the stomach longer: you feel full for longer and are less tempted to snack.
A gradual, temporary effect
The effect usually starts 1 to 2 weeks after the injection, then gradually fades over 4 to 6 months, as the muscle returns to normal. The injection can be repeated, usually not before 6 months.
A help, not a solution on its own
Gastric botox does not make you lose weight without effort: it is a boost to help you follow an eating plan more easily. Results vary greatly from one person to another and scientific studies on this technique remain limited.
Gastric botox or another obesity treatment?
Gastric botox is the lightest treatment: no incision, no implant, back to the hotel the same day. On the other hand, its effect is modest and temporary. A gastric balloon usually gives greater weight loss without surgery, and operations such as the sleeve or bypass are better suited to high BMIs. The doctor will guide you according to your BMI and your goal.
| Criterion | Gastric botox | Gastric balloon | Gastric band | Gastric plication | Gastric sleeve | Gastric bypass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price in Turkey | From €1,500 | From €1,500 | From €3,900 | €3,500 to €4,500 | From €2,800 | From €4,000 |
| Technique | Endoscopy, no incision | Endoscopy, no incision | Laparoscopy | Laparoscopy | Laparoscopy | Laparoscopy |
| Procedure time | 15 to 20 minutes | 20 to 30 minutes | 1 to 2 hours | 1 to 2 hours | 1 to 2 hours | 2 to 3 hours |
| Average weight loss | Modest, a few kilos | 10 to 15% of body weight in 6 months | 15 to 20% of body weight | 20 to 25% of body weight | 25 to 30% of body weight in the 1st year | 30 to 35% of body weight |
| Reversible | Yes (temporary effect) | Yes (temporary) | Yes | 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 balloon, gastric sleeve and gastric bypass.
Who can benefit from gastric botox?
Gastric botox is generally intended for adults in one of these situations:
- overweight or moderate obesity, with a BMI between 25 and 35;
- the wish to lose a few kilos without surgery or an implant;
- difficulty controlling hunger or snacking;
- willingness to follow an eating plan in the following months.
To calculate your BMI, divide your weight by your height squared: 85 kg for 1.70 m gives a BMI of 29.
When gastric botox is not recommended
- pregnancy or breastfeeding;
- neuromuscular disease, such as myasthenia gravis;
- known allergy to botulinum toxin;
- stomach ulcer or a stomach emptying disorder;
- severe obesity, where other treatments are more suitable.
How does gastric botox work in Turkey, step by step?
- You send your file. Weight, height, medical history and current treatments.
- The doctor reviews it. They confirm whether gastric botox is right for you and you receive your quote.
- Day 1: arrival and consultation. Airport pick-up, consultation and blood test. No food or drink from midnight.
- Day 2: the injection. Endoscopy under sedation, in 15 to 20 minutes. After one to two hours of monitoring, you return to the hotel.
- Day 3: check-up and return. Doctor’s visit, handover of your eating plan, then flight home.
After the injection: eating and results
The first days
You can eat lightly on the evening of the injection, then normally the next day. Some throat discomfort from the endoscopy may last a day. Most people return to work the next day.
Eating
Make the most of your reduced appetite to adopt new habits: three meals a day, smaller portions, protein at every meal, less sugar and fewer sugary drinks. It is this eating plan that makes the difference.
Results
Weight loss is modest and highly variable: often a few kilos in 3 to 6 months, more for patients who follow the eating plan closely and exercise regularly. To keep the result, maintain these habits once the botox effect has worn off.
What are the possible side effects of gastric botox?
Gastric botox is a short, light procedure, performed without incision or hospital stay. Side effects are generally mild and temporary.
The most common effects
| Effect | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Throat discomfort | Caused by the endoscope | Usually goes away within 24 hours |
| Bloating, slow digestion | The stomach empties more slowly | This is the intended effect, usually well tolerated |
| Mild nausea or constipation | Linked to slower digestion | Temporary, relieved by diet and hydration |
Rare effects
They are uncommon, but it is important to know them so you can react quickly if a symptom appears.
| Effect | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Allergic reaction | Reaction to the injected product | Very rare, monitored after the injection |
| Muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing | Spread of the product beyond the stomach | Very rare at the doses used |
To reduce these risks, have the injection performed by a gastroenterologist, under endoscopy, in an authorized hospital, with a product of verified origin.
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 injection, and how experienced are they with this technique?
- Is the injection performed under endoscopy by a gastroenterologist, with a product of verified origin?
- 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 gastric botox in Turkey
How much does gastric botox cost in Turkey?
With TurquieMed, gastric botox in Turkey costs from €1,500. This price covers the package: VIP airport transfer, 2 nights in a 4* hotel, medical check-up, tests, endoscopic injection under sedation, medication, eating plan, interpreter and assistance 7 days a week. The flight is not included.
How much weight can you lose with gastric botox?
Weight loss is modest and varies greatly from one person to another: often a few kilos in 3 to 6 months. It is greater for patients who follow the eating plan and exercise. If you have more than 15 to 20 kg to lose, a gastric balloon or surgery is usually more suitable.
How long does the effect of gastric botox last?
The effect usually starts 1 to 2 weeks after the injection and lasts about 4 to 6 months. It then gradually fades as the stomach muscles return to normal. The injection can be repeated, usually not before 6 months.
Is the injection painful?
No. The injection is given by endoscopy, under sedation: you feel nothing and usually do not remember it. Afterwards, slight throat discomfort may last a few hours. You return to the hotel one to two hours after the injection.
How long do I need to stay in Turkey?
Plan on 2 to 3 days: consultation and blood test on the day you arrive, the injection the next day, then a check-up before you leave. You can fly as soon as the doctor allows, usually the day after the injection.
What is the difference between gastric botox and a gastric balloon?
Both are done by endoscopy, without surgery. Botox slows stomach emptying for 4 to 6 months, leaving nothing in the stomach: weight loss is modest. A balloon takes up part of the stomach for 6 to 12 months and leads to an average loss of 10 to 15% of body weight. With TurquieMed, botox starts from €1,500 and the balloon from €1,500.
Is gastric botox covered by insurance?
Generally not. Gastric botox is rarely covered by health insurance, and planned treatment in Turkey is usually at your own expense. Follow-up consultations with your own doctor are generally covered as usual: check with your insurer.
Your gastric botox 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.
