Gastric balloon packages and price
Gastric balloon packages and price
Waiting time: none
Length of hospital stay: none, performed on the same day in the surgical unit
Minimum length of stay required abroad: 3 to 5 days
Gastric balloon price: $1,500 for the balloon placed endoscopically, $3,500 for the swallowable balloon
The package includes:
- The general surgeon's fees
- A consultation with the anaesthetist before the procedure,
- Operating theatre costs on the day
- The medical equipment and supplies needed for the procedure, as well as the related medication
- An online consultation with the surgeon from your own country after the procedure
What is a gastric balloon and how is the procedure carried out?
The gastric balloon is a non-surgical method that helps with weight loss. It involves introducing into the stomach, through the mouth and without surgery, a soft, inflatable balloon made of medical-grade silicone. Once placed in the stomach, the balloon is filled with liquid; by taking up space, it reduces appetite and prolongs the feeling of fullness.
Some gastric balloons are placed by endoscopy; the doctor reaches the stomach through the mouth and oesophagus using a flexible tube fitted with a camera. Other gastric balloons come in the form of a capsule that is swallowed and then inflated, which avoids the need for a procedure.
What types of balloon are used?
The second type is the Allurion balloon, formerly known as Elipse®; it is a soft polyurethane balloon that is swallowed and housed in a small capsule. It is connected to a thin tube called a filling catheter. Once its correct position has been confirmed, the balloon is filled with 550 ml of liquid through the filling catheter and expands to the size of a grapefruit. After about 16 weeks, the Allurion balloon is designed to deflate automatically on its own; once deflated, it passes naturally through the digestive system and is eliminated from the body.
How do the preparation for the procedure and the recovery period afterwards work?
Before the intragastric balloon is placed, you must refrain from eating and drinking for 12 hours. When the time comes to remove the gastric balloon, you must stop all solid food 48 hours beforehand and switch to a liquid-only diet. At this stage, drinking fizzy drinks may help, as they help to clean the balloon and make it easier to remove. Finally, you must refrain from eating and drinking for 12 hours before the scheduled removal.
For the swallowable balloon procedure, only clear liquids are recommended in the 8 hours before taking the capsule containing the balloon. In addition, you must not eat anything on the morning of the procedure. You may, however, have clear strained broth, herbal teas, coconut water and similar liquids. Fluid intake must be stopped 2 hours before the balloon is placed.
After either of the two gastric balloon procedures, the recovery period and return to daily life and work take 1 to 3 days.
How long does the balloon stay in the stomach?
Gastric balloons are designed to stay temporarily in the stomach — generally from 16 weeks to 12 months. Balloons placed by endoscopy are deflated and removed by means of a further endoscopy; the "procedure-free" balloons that deflate on their own are, for their part, eliminated naturally from the body.
What weight loss can be expected after the procedure?
You can lose around 10 to 15% of your weight.
What side effects can occur after a gastric balloon?
The most common symptoms after the procedure are nausea and abdominal cramps. They can last up to a week, but disappear within 1 to 3 days in most patients. If the symptoms do not ease, removal of the balloon may be necessary.
Who can be a candidate for the gastric balloon and who cannot?
Gastric balloon treatment is a suitable option for people whose body mass index (BMI) is between 27 and 40 and who have difficulty with traditional dieting methods. The gastric balloon cannot be placed in people who have had a sleeve gastrectomy. The gastric balloon is not suitable for pregnant women, people taking cortisone long term, or those who are undergoing or have recently undergone cancer treatment.
How long after the procedure can the patient go home?
As medical care may be needed, patients can go home 3 days after the balloon is placed.
Cengiz Erenoğlu
Prof. Dr.
Cengiz Erenoğlu
Prof. Dr.
Prof. Dr. Cengiz Erenoğlu
- More than 20 years of experience performing bariatric procedures. Studied at the European Institute of Telesurgery (Strasbourg, France) and the University of Virginia (USA).
Specialties and areas of interest
- Endoscopic bariatric procedures
- Gastric balloon
Education
- 1972 – 1977 Atatürk Primary School, Lüleburgaz
- 1977 – 1979 Lüleburgaz Secondary School
- 1979 – 1983 Kuleli Military High School, Istanbul
- 1983 – 1989 Gülhane Military Medical Faculty, Ankara
- 1989 – 1990 Postgraduate training at GATA Haydarpaşa Training Hospital
- 1992 – 1996 Specialist training in general surgery, GATA Haydarpaşa Training Hospital, Istanbul
- 1996 – 1998 Specialist in general surgery, GATA Haydarpaşa Training Hospital, Istanbul
- 1999 Laparoscopic surgery course, IRCAD, Strasbourg, France; laparoscopy researcher, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA (1 year)
- 1998–2004 Assistant Professor of general surgery, GATA Haydarpaşa Training Hospital, Istanbul, December
- 2004 Associate Professor
- 2004 – 2009 Deputy Chief Physician, Adana Military Hospital, Adana
- 2009 – 2013 Trakya University Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, lecturer, August
- 2010 Professor at Trakya University Faculty of Medicine
Memberships of organisations
- European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (ISS/SIC)
- International Surgical Association (E.A.E.S)
- Turkish Surgical Association
- National Association of Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgery
- Turkish Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery; National Association of Trauma and Emergency Surgery