What is the cost of a gastric band in Turkey?
The cost of a gastric band in Turkey ranges between £1,700 and £2,500, compared to £1,700 to £3,400 in the UK. This fee includes general anaesthesia, the procedure, and the hospital stay. The procedure takes approximately 1 hour with 1 to 3 nights of hospitalisation included at a certified clinic in Istanbul.
📊 2026 Price Table
| Procedure Type | Turkey Price | UK Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gastric Band (Standard) | £1,700 - £2,500 | £1,700 - £3,400 |
| Gastric Band Removal | £1,500 - £2,600 | £3,400 - £5,100 |
| Gastric Band + Nutritional Follow-up (1 year) | £2,600 - £3,400 | £2,100 - £3,400 |
| Sleeve Gastrectomy (Alternative) | £2,100 - £3,000 | £6,000 - £8,500 |
What is a gastric band?
Gastric band surgery is a common type of weight loss surgery (bariatric) for people who are overweight (obese). It involves placing an adjustable band around the upper part of the stomach, which means you cannot eat as much. This helps you lose weight.
How does a gastric band work?
When you have a gastric band, it creates a small pouch at the top of your stomach, above the band. When you eat, this part of the stomach fills up quickly, making you feel full sooner and for longer than usual. This reduces the amount you eat, helping you lose weight.
Your surgeon can tighten or loosen the gastric band by injecting fluid into a tube connected to the band. This affects how quickly food passes from the pouch into the lower part of your stomach. You will thus be sure to lose the right amount of weight steadily.
The success of the operation depends on you maintaining a healthy lifestyle after the procedure, including changing your eating habits and being more active. In particular, you should be careful with high-calorie drinks, including alcohol, which won’t be limited by your gastric band.
Who can have a gastric band?
You generally need to meet certain criteria to be considered for a gastric band. These criteria are as follows:
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, or between 35 and 40 with a health condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- Have first tried all other treatment options, such as diet and exercise
- Be generally healthy enough to undergo general anaesthesia and surgery
- Commit to long-term follow-up, including regular check-ups and lifestyle changes
- Be willing to attend regular follow-up appointments
You may not be able to have a gastric band if you have certain long-term health conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease or heart disease, or a psychological disorder. You may need to undergo a psychological assessment if there are concerns about your mental health.
If you are obese, your GP can refer you to a specialist team for obesity management, which will assess whether surgery can help you. In the UK, bariatric surgery is subject to specific criteria and involves a multidisciplinary team.
If these criteria are met, the procedure may be available through the NHS. It can also be performed privately, either in the UK or abroad, including in Turkey, where prices are lower.
Deciding to have a gastric band
A gastric band is a major operation. It is important to understand exactly what the procedure involves, including potential complications and what to expect afterward.
If you are considering having a gastric band in Turkey, your doctor will guide you through the process. They will also discuss other types of surgery you might have for weight loss, including a sleeve gastrectomy and a gastric balloon. Your surgeon can help you decide which is best for you.
Here are some points to consider.
- A gastric band helps many people lose weight. It can also help reduce the risk of various health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, or improve them if you already have them.
- The amount of weight loss varies from person to person. Long-term published series report a loss of 41.7% of excess weight at fifteen years and 47.1% at thirteen years[1][2]. Not everyone loses as much as they would like.
- Other procedures often prove more durable: in a Swiss series of 405 patients followed for thirteen years, 63% were converted to a sleeve or bypass after removal of their band[3].
- You may need to have your gastric band removed or replaced, for example if it slips or leaks. For more information, see the section on complications.
Take your time to ensure you are happy with your decision to have a gastric band in Turkey - do not hesitate to ask your surgeon any questions. If you decide to go ahead, you will be asked to sign a consent form - so it is important to make sure you feel well informed.
Preparing for a gastric band procedure in Turkey
You will need to undergo assessments and blood tests to check that you are fit for the operation. These tests can also indicate if you have health problems related to your obesity.
If you smoke, you will be asked to quit, preferably at least six weeks before your operation. Smoking can impair wound healing and also lead to complications. You may be asked to follow a low-fat, low-carbohydrate diet for a short period before your operation. This will help shrink your liver and make the placement of the band easier and safer.
The gastric band is placed under general anaesthesia, meaning you will be asleep during the operation. You must fast before having general anaesthesia. You will be given clear instructions on when to stop eating and drinking. It is important to follow this advice.
On the day of the procedure, your surgeon will meet you to check that you are well and still happy to proceed. Hospital staff will perform final checks and prepare you for surgery.
You may be asked to wear compression stockings and/or receive an injection of an anti-clotting medication to help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
What happens during gastric band surgery?
Your gastric band will be placed laparoscopically (keyhole surgery). This means your surgeon will perform the operation using instruments inserted through several small incisions in your abdomen, rather than through one large incision.
Your surgeon will insert the band and place it around the upper part of your stomach to create a small pouch above it. A piece of thin tubing connects the band to an access port, used to tighten or loosen the band. Your surgeon will sew it into place, just under your skin.
Your surgeon will then close the cuts in your abdomen. These are usually dissolvable stitches, but they may be clips, which will be removed about a week later.
What to expect after gastric band surgery
In the hospital
You will need to rest until the effects of the anaesthetic wear off. You may also need pain relief to help ease any discomfort.
You will have a drip in a vein in your hand or arm to give you fluids, until you are well enough to drink. You will be encouraged to get up and move around as soon as you feel able. This will help reduce the risk of chest infections and blood clots in your legs.
Your nurse will give you advice on caring for your wounds before you go home and arrange a date for a follow-up appointment.
Going home
You will usually be able to go home later the same day or the day after your operation. Make sure someone can drive you home and, if possible, stay with you for about a day while the anaesthetic wears off. You can continue to take over-the-counter painkillers at home as needed.
Your gastric band will be partially filled (primed) during surgery, which will limit what you can eat immediately. You will only be able to have liquids after the operation. Your surgeon or dietitian will tell you when you can start eating. For more information, see our FAQ below on foods you can eat.
It may take a week or two to recover from gastric band surgery and get back to your normal activities. But this can vary from person to person, so it is important to follow your surgeon’s advice.
You will need to attend regular follow-up appointments after your operation to have your gastric band adjusted. This will help you lose the right amount of weight steadily.
More information on sleeve gastrectomy in Turkey
Complications of gastric band surgery
Complications are unexpected problems that can occur during or after your operation.
Possible complications of any operation include an unexpected reaction to the anaesthetic, excessive bleeding, or a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis - DVT). Other common complications of gastric band surgery include the following:
- Infection around your gastric band, the tubing under your skin, or in one of your wounds. In this case, your skin may appear red or tender.
- Injury to your stomach or other nearby organs, such as your liver or spleen, during surgery.
- Your gastric band may slip, leak, deflate, or slowly erode through the wall of your stomach. If any of these happen, the band may need to be repositioned, removed, or replaced.
- If you lose weight too quickly, you may develop gallstones. These can be painful and you may need surgery to remove them.
Contact your doctor or surgeon if you have symptoms after your operation such as fever, abdominal pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, or persistent vomiting.
Not everyone loses as much weight as they would like after surgery, and some people regain weight after losing it. If this happens, your surgeon may suggest other treatments, such as gastric bypass.
What happens to a gastric band after 10 years?
By ten years, the gastric band has failed in 43% of cases, and beyond fifteen years in more than 70%[1]. Of 897 patients followed for nearly fifteen years, 41.6% had their band removed[1]. The reversibility of the band is therefore often used.
This is not a reason to give up on it, but a reason to plan for follow-up. The most common reasons for removal are band erosion, band slippage, and weight regain[2]. Conversion to a sleeve or gastric bypass is possible afterward[3].
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have my gastric band removed?
Yes. Removal is usually done laparoscopically, in case of a complication or at your request. Without another procedure afterward, weight regain is likely: it is one of the most common reasons for removal in published series[2].
What foods should I eat after gastric band surgery?
A liquid diet for the first two weeks, then purees and soft foods, before gradually reintroducing solid foods. You need to eat slowly and chew well. Your surgeon or dietitian will set the schedule.
Can post-weight-loss surgery remove excess skin?
Yes. After significant weight loss, skin folds may remain on the abdomen, arms, thighs, or chest. Body contouring surgery can remove them once your weight has been stable for several months.
Can I get pregnant with a gastric band?
Yes, you can get pregnant. Your chances of getting pregnant may improve if you lose weight through gastric band surgery. However, it is better to wait at least a year or so, when your weight is stable, before trying.
How much weight loss can I expect?
Long-term published series report a loss of 41.7% of excess weight at fifteen years and 47.1% at thirteen years[1][2]. The result depends heavily on follow-up, eating habits, and regular adjustment of the band by the surgeon.
What is the cost of a gastric band in the UK?
In the UK, gastric band surgery typically costs between £1,700 and £3,400 privately, compared to £1,700 to £2,500 in Turkey. Removal, on the other hand, costs between £3,400 and £5,100 in the UK and between £1,500 and £2,600 in Turkey.
Sources & References
- Arapis K, Tammaro P, Ribeiro Parenti L, Pelletier AL, Chosidow D, Kousouri M, Magnan C, Hansel B, Marmuse JP. Long-Term Results After Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding for Morbid Obesity: 18-Year Follow-Up in a Single University Unit. Obesity Surgery. 2017. View source
- Toolabi K, Golzarand M, Farid R. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: efficacy and consequences over a 13-year period. The American Journal of Surgery. 2015. View source
- Vinzens F, Kilchenmann A, Zumstein V, Slawik M, Gebhart M, Peterli R. Long-term outcome of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: results of a Swiss single-center study of 405 patients with up to 18 years follow-up. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. 2017. View source
