Gastric Balloon Turkey — Non-Surgical Weight Loss from £1,275 — Frequently Asked Questions

At MedProper Istanbul, a standard gastric balloon (Orbera) starts from £1,275 / €1,490 all-inclusive. An adjustable balloon (Spatz) starts from £1,700 / €1,990. Both include the procedure, hotel, VIP transfers, a 6-month dietary programme, and balloon removal. UK prices for the same procedure range from £3,000-£6,000.

The procedure itself is painless — you are under light sedation. In the first 3-7 days, most patients experience nausea, cramping, and a feeling of fullness as the body adjusts. MedProper provides anti-nausea medication to manage these symptoms. By day 7-10, most patients feel significantly better and the discomfort subsides.

On average, patients lose 10-15% of their total body weight over 6 months with a standard balloon (Orbera), or 12-18% over 12 months with an adjustable balloon (Spatz). For a 100 kg patient, this means 10-18 kg of weight loss. Results depend significantly on adherence to the dietary programme.

Modern gastric balloons are made from medical-grade silicone and are extremely durable. Deflation (not "bursting") occurs in less than 1% of cases. All MedProper balloons contain a blue dye marker — if the balloon deflates, your urine turns blue or green, providing an early warning to contact your medical team for removal.

MedProper recommends returning to Istanbul for removal, which is a simple 15-20 minute endoscopic procedure under light sedation. However, if travel is not possible, MedProper can provide your medical records to a local gastroenterologist in your home country who can perform the removal.

The procedure takes 15-20 minutes. You are under light sedation (not general anaesthesia). Most patients are in the recovery area for 2-4 hours and return to their hotel the same day. Total time at the hospital: approximately 3-4 hours including pre-procedure preparation.

Yes. Light walking is encouraged from day 1. Most patients can resume their normal exercise routine from week 2. Exercise is an important part of the weight loss programme and is encouraged throughout the balloon period. Your MedProper nutritionist will provide exercise guidelines tailored to your fitness level.

The balloon is removed endoscopically under light sedation (15-20 minutes). Your stomach returns to its normal size. The key question is whether you have used the balloon period to establish lasting dietary and exercise habits. Patients who follow the structured nutrition programme during the balloon period are significantly more likely to maintain their weight loss after removal.

They serve different purposes. A gastric balloon is a one-time procedure (£1,275) with a structured 6-month dietary programme, producing 10-15% weight loss. Ozempic is an ongoing weekly injection (£200-300/month, £2,400-3,600/year) producing 15-20% weight loss but requiring lifelong use — 60-70% of weight is regained within 12 months of stopping. A balloon may be better if you prefer a one-time intervention with professional dietary support rather than indefinite medication.

At MedProper, the minimum BMI for a gastric balloon is 27. This is significantly lower than the threshold for surgical procedures (BMI 35+ for sleeve/bypass). The balloon is specifically designed for patients in the BMI 27-35 range who have moderate excess weight but do not qualify for or do not want surgical intervention.

Generally no. Previous gastric surgery (sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, gastric band) is a contraindication for gastric balloon placement. If you have had previous surgery and need further weight loss intervention, MedProper offers revisional bariatric surgery as an alternative.

Contact MedProper via the website form, WhatsApp, or email with your height, weight, and medical history. You receive a personalised assessment within 48 hours confirming eligibility and an exact all-inclusive price. If you decide to proceed, pay the deposit and your coordinator arranges the procedure date, hotel, and transfers. Most patients travel to Istanbul within 2-3 weeks of booking.