Gastric Botox® in Turkey

How Gastric Botox® Works

Gastric Botox® is an endoscopic procedure, a thin, flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) is passed through your mouth into your stomach. Through the endoscope, your doctor injects botulinum toxin into specific areas of your stomach wall, targeting the muscles responsible for stomach contractions and emptying.

The botulinum toxin temporarily relaxes these muscles, which produces two effects:

1. Slower gastric emptying: Food stays in your stomach for longer, meaning you feel full for an extended period after eating. This naturally reduces how much and how often you eat.

2. Reduced appetite signals: The injections affect nerve signals between your stomach and brain, helping to reduce the sensation of hunger between meals.

The procedure takes approximately 15-20 minutes under light sedation. You will not feel the injections or the endoscope. There are no incisions, no stitches, and no scars.

How Long Does It Last?

The effects of Gastric Botox® typically last 4-6 months as the botulinum toxin gradually wears off. After this period, your stomach function returns to normal. Some patients choose to have the treatment repeated for continued benefit, while others use the initial 4-6 months as a window to establish healthier habits that they can maintain independently.

Gastric Botox® may be right for you if:

• Your BMI is between 25 and 35
• You want to lose a moderate amount of weight (5-15 kilograms) without surgery
• You are looking for a non-invasive option with no recovery time
• You want a low-commitment introduction to medical weight loss support
• You are willing to combine the treatment with dietary changes and increased physical activity

You may not be suitable if:

• Your BMI is above 35 (surgical options are likely to be more effective for your needs)
• You have a known allergy to botulinum toxin
• You have certain neuromuscular conditions (such as myasthenia gravis)
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding
• You have active stomach ulcers or gastritis

Your free consultation includes a review of your BMI, medical history, and weight loss goals. If Gastric Botox® is not the right fit, your patient coordinator will discuss alternative options.

Before Your Procedure

Your patient coordinator discusses your goals and medical history during your free consultation. You receive simple preparation guidance, including fasting for at least 6-8 hours before the procedure.

On the Day

You arrive at the clinic having fasted. The entire process takes approximately 15-20 minutes:

1. Light sedation is administered, you will be relaxed and comfortable.
2. The endoscope is passed through your mouth into your stomach.
3. Botulinum toxin is injected into targeted areas of your stomach wall (typically 8-12 injection points).
4. The endoscope is removed.

You remain at the clinic for a short observation period while the sedation wears off. Most patients feel alert and comfortable within 1-2 hours.

After Your Procedure

There is no hospital stay required. You can return to your hotel and resume light activities the same day. Most patients experience no significant discomfort after the procedure. You may notice a slight feeling of fullness or mild stomach gurgling in the first 24-48 hours, this is normal and settles quickly.

Your care team provides dietary guidance to help you make the most of the appetite-reducing effects.

What to Expect

Gastric Botox® has virtually no recovery period.

Day 1: You may feel slightly drowsy from the sedation for a few hours. Most patients resume normal activities by the afternoon. Mild stomach discomfort or bloating is possible but uncommon.

Week 1: You begin noticing that you feel full sooner during meals and less hungry between meals. This is the botulinum toxin taking effect on your stomach muscles.

Week 1-4: Appetite reduction becomes more pronounced. This is the ideal time to focus on establishing healthier eating patterns, smaller portions, more nutritious food choices, and regular meal times. Your dietary guidance supports this transition.

Month 1-6: Steady weight loss of 5-15 kilograms when combined with dietary improvements and regular activity. The effects of the botulinum toxin are strongest in the first 3-4 months and gradually diminish towards month 6.

After Month 6: The botulinum toxin wears off and your stomach function returns to normal. If you have established good eating habits during this period, many patients are able to maintain their weight loss. Repeat treatments are available if you wish to continue the appetite-reducing effects.

Gastric Botox® has an excellent safety profile and is considered one of the lowest-risk weight loss interventions available.

Common Side Effects

• Mild bloating or fullness in the first 24-48 hours
• Brief drowsiness from the light sedation
• Slight nausea in some patients (uncommon and short-lived)

Less Common Risks

• Allergic reaction to botulinum toxin (very rare; your medical team is prepared to manage this)
• Mild gastric discomfort lasting more than a few days (uncommon)
• Temporary constipation due to slowed gastric emptying
• Risk from endoscopy itself (extremely low, minor throat irritation or, very rarely, perforation, which occurs in fewer than 1 in 10,000 procedures)

How Your Safety Is Managed

The procedure is performed by experienced gastroenterologists using high-quality botulinum toxin. The endoscopic approach is minimally invasive and widely performed worldwide. You are monitored during and after the sedation before being allowed to leave the clinic.