Why Gastric Botox in Turkey?
Botox or Botulinum Toxin has been used widely for the treatment of obesity over the last decade. But unfortunately, it’s not accounted as one of the affordable procedures even though the process is simpler than the other bariatric options and the effects are not permanent. The high price urges patients to consider medical tourism as a serious option. Turkey, as one of the most popular destinations for medical tourists both from the West and East, has been a center for patients who want to undergo gastric Botox to lose their excess weight.
But why Turkey?
Basically, because it’s much more affordable than other parts of the world and you can experience the same expertise and medical services. In this article, you’ll find out how gastric Botox is done in Turkey. How much does it cost and what does the cost include? Moreover, you’ll realize its risks and whether you’re qualified to come to Turkey for Gastric Botox or not.
The first three sections include general information about gastric Botox, if you know them, just skip to the fourth section to find out whether you’re a good candidate to come to Turkey for this process or not.
What Is Gastric Botox?
Gastric Botox is considered a non-surgical bariatric procedure. For patients who prefer not to try surgery or don’t have the requirements for weight loss surgery, gastric Botox is an ideal option.
This technique inhibits particular nerve signals in the muscles of your stomach wall. These muscles control the feelings of hunger and satiety. As a result, you’ve got a few months to lose weight because now you’re able to control your hunger and get full faster.
During this time, you’ll have the chance to adapt yourself to a healthy lifestyle.
How Does Gastric Botox Work?
The Botox is injected into particular spots of the stomach which blocks the muscle contraction. As a result, gastric emptying occurs later and you will feel satiated for a much longer time.
Because of the decrease in your appetite, the overall amount of food intake reduces as well. If you combine that with exercise and regular physical activities, you’ll get noticeable weight loss results.
In addition, the ‘gastric fundus region’, the upper part of your stomach, decreases the released Ghrelin peptide hormone.
What is this hormone? It’s the appetite center of your stomach. In other words, the major hormone that stimulates hunger. This also leads to an increased feeling of satiety.
Who is a Candidate for Gastric Botox?
– Body Mass Index (BMI) higher than 25 kg/m², lower than 35 kg/m²
– Not overweight enough for bariatric surgery
– Patients who have risky conditions for invasive types of bariatric surgery
– Patients who have tried diet and exercise and failed in their attempts to lose weight
You may have been sick of trying a different diet and need help to find your motivation. If you’re slightly overweight, you know that bariatric surgery is not for you. Yet gastric Botox interferes with your body’s system and helps you get back the control of your life.
Am I Eligible for Gastric Botox in Turkey?
Before responding to that, do you have the conditions mentioned in the previous section? If yes, let’s discuss the other criteria that determine whether you’re qualified but gastric Botox in Turkey or not.
You can also ask us all your questions about gastric botox in Turkey and other bariatric procedures to find out whether this process is good for you.
– Traveling does not make you nervous.
Most of the medical centers and clinics that offer obesity treatment procedures provide their patients with packages that target all the concerns of bariatric patients, accommodation, and transportation, to name a few.
Yet again, it is important that you don’t find traveling stressful, otherwise, there’s a high chance this won’t be a much more pleasant experience. Try to share all your concerns with the patient representative. Don’t be embarrassed. You may get the answers to all your questions.
– You’re obese but prefer not to undergo invasive bariatric procedures.
Even if you’re obese but invasive types of weight loss surgery are not your choice, gastric Botox can be helpful. It is especially a good choice to experience abroad because the risks are way less in comparison with gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery.
This way, you start a healthier lifestyle with the least side effects and at a much more affordable price.
– You have realistic expectations.
Of course, you can’t expect the amount of weight loss gained after gastric sleeve or gastric bypass, but it is an effective, fresh embark on a healthy lifestyle.
The more realistic you expect, the higher are the chances that you remain motivated. This helps both your doctor and your own progress.
– No gastritis disease and ulcers
Note that if you have any types of gastritis disease and ulcers, make sure they’re treated completely before going to gastric Botox in Turkey or any other country.
Overall Qualifications for Gastric Botox in Turkey
If you are considering gastric Botox in Turkey, you should have all the requirements for gastric Botox mentioned above. If you’re the person who finds traveling stressful, maybe it’s not a good idea to pick a place other than your own city.
But sometimes the price is not affordable in your country and you have no other choice but to bear the stress of being in a new place in order to take this step towards reaching your ideal weight. An important point is that most of the bariatric centers that offer medical services to international patients think about the comfort of their patients and provide them with additional services such as translation, transportation, and accommodation so that you don’t have to worry about anything else.
What we advise is to find a trustworthy place and share all your concerns with them beforehand. Let nothing increase your stress. They should also know your medical history, so in case of flying is a risk for you, you’ll know in advance.
Age Limit for Gastric Botox Patients
We do not recommend gastric Botox for children, specifically before puberty. So, the minimum age for gastric Botox in Turkey is the same as most parts of the world, which is 16. We also don’t suggest over 65 undergo gastric Botox.
However, each individual has their own circumstances. If you’re considering gastric Botox and are in doubt, just contact us. By checking your medical history alongside your psychological status and motivation, our bariatric doctors will give you their frank opinion and recommend what’s best for you.
How Long Does the Procedure Take?
A bariatric doctor performs the procedure using an endoscopic method on an outpatient. The entire process requires minimal preparation and usually takes an average of 20-25 minutes under mild sedation. After the treatment, the patient will be kept under observation for 2-3 hours and may leave once he/she feels ready.
How Long After the Procedure the Botox works?
After the maximum 3-hour recovery, the patients should wait for 3-5 days for the Botox to function. The initial influence appears within the first three days as appetite reduction. The next result you’ll observe his weight loss, which occurs 2 weeks after the procedure date.
How Long Do the Effects Last?
The effects of gastric Botox last for 4-6 months. After 6 months, the treatment can be repeated and the patient may undergo 3 sessions in total for a duration of 18 months.
How Much Weight Will I Lose?
The exact amount of excess weight loss differs from patient to patient. But the average weight loss is estimated at 10-20 pounds.
Because of the effect of Botox, the following 4-6 months is the most critical period for weight loss when you can get the best results. However, once Botox loses its effect, you should be even more careful and not let yourself restart your previous habits.
You should pay a lot of attention to your diet and exercise schedule. Visiting a dietitian regularly is strongly recommended both during and after gastric Botox.
Can I Repeat the Procedure after 6 Months?
If you’ve successfully lost enough extra weight and have no health problems, you don’t need to repeat it. Just follow your diet and exercise plan,
Injections do not need to be repeated in patients who have no health problems and have succeeded in losing enough weight. However, such patients are advised to comply with their diet and exercise plan.
The procedure may be repeated 6 months later in patients who are satisfied with the outcome achieved by botulinum toxin injections into the stomach. The interval between injections may be prolonged if the patient adequately complies with his/her diet, has performed his/her best during the previous 6 months, and does not complain about his/her food consumption in that period. There are no drawbacks associated with the repetition of gastric Botox injections. The procedure may be repeated 3 times successively with 6 months interval.
Gastric Botox Risks and Side Effects
One of the reasons patients choose gastric Botox is because of its safety and almost 0 death rate. But it’s not like you won’t feel a thing afterward. Especially during the first 2 or 3 hours after the procedure, you might feel nausea, headache, abdominal pain, and vomiting.
Since the method and the equipment used in Turkey is standard and among the most common ones everywhere, there are no additional physical risks, but some other risks that are related to the new circumstances of being in a new location.
– Psychological (Mental) Risks
Other than the risks that usually gastric Botox has, having the procedure abroad might have other risks.
First, if you’re the person who needs the emotional support of a friend or a member of the family in stressful times, it will be an emotionally risky decision.
At Arpanu, we set you a patient representative that will be in contact with you even before you come to Turkey. Their major responsibility is to answer your questions and provide you with technical and any other support when you’re in need.
– Miscommunication
Even if you speak English, there’s no guarantee all the people you meet in Turkey can speak English as well. This is when miscommunication occurs, which is a stress-causing factor by itself.
But we’ve thought about this as well. From the very beginning of your trip to Turkey, a translator will be in contact with you to guarantee quality communication. Also, your translator will meet you on your arrival and will accompany you to the hospital as well.
– Concerns about Your Stay
When you experience a procedure like gastric Botox in your own region, you know that you’ll come back home shortly after the procedure. But going abroad means you should think about other things such as accommodation and transportation as well.
Where am I going to stay? How to find a hotel that is comfortable, yet affordable and close to the hospital? How should I go forth and back between the hotel and the hospital?
Don’t worry at all. In our packages, we considered and included a good place for your stay. Also, a private driver will pick you up from the airport, take you to the hotel, and be responsible for your commute to the hospital.
The Advantages of Gastric Botox
– First of all, it’s not surgery. The procedure is simple and recovery is only a couple of hours.
– Minimum discomfort because the procedure is done endoscopically
– Fast recovery when compared with Gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy
– Minimal pain and side effects
– Patients are able to get back to their normal lives shortly
Stomach Botox Turkey Price (vs Europe and the US)
There is not enough data to say the exact average cost of gastric Botox worldwide but is estimated to be something between 3,500$ to 4,500$.
The table below shows the cost of this obesity treatment in some countries where it is one of the most common types of bariatric procedures:
As you can see, the cost of stomach Botox in Turkey is the lowest in comparison with European countries such as Lituania, the UK, Austria, France, and so on.
Among European countries, gastric botox is the most expensive in France and Italy where the average price is 9,000$.
Germany and the UK almost have the same prices, 6,000$. The US has the highest price of gastric Botox, 10,000$ on average.
Turkey has the lowest price, the average of which is 1,500$.
Why Is Gastric Botox Cheap in Turkey?
The cost of gastric Botox is not cheap in Turkey, but it is cheap in comparison with other countries. This is not surprising if you think about the overall lower cost of life in Turkey. What 1,500$ means in Turkey and how much stuff you can buy with it is different from the US, for instance.
Turkish surgeons are among the best in the world. The lower price and quality medical services in Turkey are the main causes of the medical tourism boom in Turkey, according to Manchester Evening News.
Read some other facts about medical tourism, mostly bariatric procedures in Turkey.
What Affects the Price of Stomach Botox in Turkey?
The price of gastric Botox is not the same in all medical centers in Turkey.
Overall, the most popular cities in Turkey where gastric Botox is performed are Istanbul, Izmir, and Antalya. What affects the price in these spots is first and foremost the expertise of your bariatric doctor.
But this does not mean the more expensive a surgeon is, the more proficient they are.
Another determiner is the quality of the clinic and hospital where the operation is performed.
However, the final price varies depending on your situation because the amount of Botox necessary for each individual is different.
Finally, the cost will be calculated after the consultation with your doctor.
What Is Included in the Final Cost?
The final price offered to you by most of the centers is not only the price of the procedure but includes some other services as well, the hospitalization fee for instance.
The price we offer at Arpanu Medical is for a package that includes:
– The surgeon fee
– Hospital fee
– Transportation
– Medical equipment and Botox
– Hotel stay
– Before and after the procedure consultation
Before choosing your doctor, make sure to ask what exactly you are paying for and whether there are any hidden fees or not.
For us, there are no hidden fees and everything regarding your stay and the medical procedure is included in the price.
If you want to make any changes in your plan, for instance, bringing someone to accompany you, or the days of your stay in our hotels, we can always come to an agreeable deal.
Does Health Insurance Cover Gastric Botox Procedures?
The short answer is no. Most insurance companies only pay for the treatment of obesity only if it is proven to them your health is in serious danger and in the case of having a BMI (Body Mass Index) over 35, in some cases 40.
However, some companies agree to pay for the cost only partially. Without insurance, the price in Turkey is about 1,500$.
Is the Procedure Different in Turkey?
Almost all Turkish bariatric surgeons perform gastric Botox the same way it is done in other parts of the world.
1- Spraying anesthesia on the larynx area to avoid vomiting
2- Botox injection too the muscles of the stomach wall
3- Taking ut the endoscope through the pharynx
4- The patient is ready to leave home the same day
How Many Days Should I Stay in Turkey?
Let’s give you a picture of your journey from A to Z.
The day you arrive in Turkey, a driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel or hospital. If you go to the hotel, the driver will come and take you to the hospital later. There, you’ll visit your doctor and do a number of tests.
If everything’s ok with your tests, your procedure will be done the next day. Again the driver will pick you from the hotel and take you to the hospital. After the procedure, when your surgeon makes sure you’re all healthy and OK, you will be sent back to the hotel with your driver.
It is better to stay a day longer after the procedure, but even if you have to leave, because of the fairly simple nature of this procedure, you will be all OK 🙂
Gastric Botox Turkey Before/After
Gastric Botox Turkey Reviews
Rana, 30, Finland
I did a lot of research before choosing the right bariatric treatment. I was done with diets and I knew gastric Botox was going to help a lot. But you know how high the prices are in Finland. And I just finished my studies and started my job for a few months. There was no way I could pay for it. I was looking for cheaper options when I found out Turkey is a popular destination for gastric balloon and Botox. I found Arpanu a few days later and everything was pretty easy since then. A woman called Ezgi was in contact with me from the very beginning. She even came to the hospital with me, you know, for translation and everything. It went well. I just had a bit of nausea. But I was alright after 3 or maybe 4 hours. It was 4 months ago. I have 2 more months to go, and I’ve been so satisfied with my progress so far.
Luca, 44, Italy
I had gastric Botox about a year ago at Arpanu Medical. After the first 6 months, the pace of my weight loss reduced a bit after the botox lost its effect. I knew that I was on my own then. But my doctor told me this before, so I was ready. I just talked to my dietitian again. Asked for more practical tips. And it all worked out! I lost 20 kilos in a year without gaining weight again.
