Meta-analysis of randomised trials
A 2017 meta-analysis concluded that intragastric botulinum toxin was not effective for weight loss compared with placebo.
Gastric botox Turkey · information page · no longer offered at Vivid Clinic
Gastric Botox in Turkey the evidence, the risks and the safer-studied alternatives we offer instead
Vivid Clinic stopped offering gastric botox in 2025. We now recommend discussing a gastric balloon or another option with our medical team instead. This guide explains what gastric botox is, what the evidence shows and its risks.
- Not offered since 2025
- Off-label treatment
- Alternatives reviewed free
Free medical review within 24 hours · No obligation · ★ 5.0 from 157 Google reviews
Editorially reviewed by the Vivid Clinic Surgical Board · Last reviewed September 2026
At a glance
What is gastric botox, and what to expect
During an upper endoscopy, a doctor injects small amounts of botulinum toxin type A into the muscle of parts of the stomach wall. The aim is to slow emptying so you feel full sooner. Botulinum toxin is not approved by major regulators for weight loss, so this use is off-label.
- Procedure time
- 20–30 minTypically, under sedation
- At Vivid Clinic
- Not offeredStopped in 2025
- Back to desk work
- Next dayTypically
- Effect starts
- 1–2 weeksTypically
- Effect lasts
- 3–6 monthsUsually, then it wears off
- Expected result
- ModestVariable; strongly dependent on diet
See all procedure details
| Availability at Vivid Clinic | Not offered since 2025; alternatives are reviewed free |
|---|---|
| Procedure time | About 20–30 minutes |
| Anaesthesia | Sedation (no general anaesthesia, no incisions) |
| Hospital stay | Day case, with a short observation period |
| Back to desk work | Usually the next day |
| Exercise | Light activity the next day; normal exercise within a few days |
| When the effect starts | Typically within one to two weeks |
| Effect lasts | Usually around 3–6 months |
| Expected result | Modest and variable; strongly dependent on diet |
| Regulatory status | Off-label use of botulinum toxin for weight loss |
| Stitches | None |
Candidacy
Is gastric botox right for you — and what to ask about instead
People who look into gastric botox often
- Have a BMI of roughly 27 to 35 and want modest weight loss
- Have tried supervised diet and activity changes without lasting success
- Prefer to avoid surgery and want a temporary, non-surgical option
- Would do better to ask first about options with stronger evidence
Gastric botox is generally not suitable if you
- Have a neuromuscular disorder such as myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome, or swallowing or breathing difficulties
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy soon, are allergic to botulinum toxin or had a recent botulinum toxin treatment
- Have active ulcers, significant reflux, gastroparesis or relevant previous stomach surgery, or take interacting medicines such as certain aminoglycoside antibiotics
Vivid Clinic does not offer gastric botox. With a BMI of about 30–40, ask us about a gastric balloon. With a BMI of 40, or 35 with a weight-related illness, a gastric sleeve may suit you. Check your number with our free BMI calculator.
What the evidence says
What the evidence says about stomach botox
Research into gastric botox is small-scale and inconsistent. It may help some people feel full sooner for a few months, but it is not a proven weight-loss treatment. Most of the change comes from the diet plan that accompanies it.
Small trials, mixed methods
Some later studies, often using higher doses or different injection sites, reported reduced appetite and modest weight loss. The trials were small and their methods varied.
Overview of systematic reviews
A 2023 overview of systematic reviews highlighted the low quality and conflicting nature of the evidence.
Vivid Clinic stopped offering gastric botox in 2025. We now point patients towards options with stronger evidence, such as a gastric balloon.
Step by step
How gastric botox is typically done
It is not surgery: nothing is removed, stapled or rerouted. Where it is offered, it is typically done in a hospital endoscopy unit with monitoring. Vivid Clinic no longer performs it.
Review
History, medicines and BMI are typically checked first.
Fasting
Usually no food for around eight hours beforehand.
Sedation
Sedation is given through a cannula, with monitoring.
Endoscopy
A thin camera passes through the mouth into the stomach.
Injections
Measured doses are placed into the stomach muscle layer.
Observation
One to two hours of rest while sedation wears off.
How the free review works
How a free weight-loss review with Vivid Clinic works
The review covers the options we offer, such as a gastric balloon or a gastric sleeve. It does not cover gastric botox.
Step 1
Send your details
Share your height, weight, medical history and medications, here or by WhatsApp.
Step 2
Medical review
Our medical team reviews your BMI and health, and whether a non-surgical or surgical option suits you.
Step 3
Balloon or sleeve
A gastric balloon suits a BMI of about 30–40. A gastric sleeve suits a BMI of 40+, or 35+ with a weight-related illness.
Step 4
Your plan
If an option suits you, you receive a plan. A balloon usually means 3–4 days in Istanbul; a sleeve about seven.
Looking for an alternative to gastric botox?
Share your height, weight, medical history and medications. Our medical team tells you whether a gastric balloon, a gastric sleeve or another approach suits you. Free, no obligation.
Recovery
Recovery and the months after gastric botox
Most people feel normal within a day or two. Any effect on appetite is temporary, so the habits you build during that window matter most.
- First 24 hoursSore throat and mild bloating are common. Fluids and soft foods only; no alcohol, driving or signing important documents.
- Week 1Most people feel normal. Some notice early fullness, mild nausea or constipation. A dietitian-led plan from the start matters most.
- Weeks 2–8Any effect on appetite is usually most noticeable now. Build habits: protein-rich meals, smaller portions, fewer sugary drinks, more movement.
- Months 3–6The effect gradually wears off. The eating habits you have built are what keeps any weight off.
What results can people expect?
Results are modest and vary widely. Some people eat smaller portions and lose some weight; others notice little difference.
For more substantial weight loss, a gastric balloon in Istanbul or a gastric sleeve is generally more effective. Both are offered at Vivid Clinic.
Comparing non-surgical options
Gastric botox vs gastric balloon
In short: both are non-surgical and temporary. A gastric balloon has stronger evidence for weight loss, and it is the option Vivid Clinic offers.
| Gastric botox | Gastric balloon | |
|---|---|---|
| Offered at Vivid Clinic | No, not since 2025 | Yes |
| Surgery or incisions | None; a day-case endoscopy | None; non-surgical |
| Evidence for weight loss | Limited and mixed | Stronger than for gastric botox |
| How long it works | Usually around 3–6 months | Temporary; balloon removed or passed after several months |
| First days | Sore throat, bloating, mild nausea | More nausea in the first days |
| Role | Possible short-term support to a diet plan | Generally more effective for more substantial weight loss |
For higher BMIs, a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass in Istanbul gives the most substantial and lasting results. Prescription GLP-1 medicines have much stronger trial evidence than gastric botox; discuss them with your own doctor. Compare the gastric balloon in detail.
Price and packages
What we offer instead of gastric botox
Vivid Clinic no longer offers gastric botox, so there is no gastric botox quote. Instead, ask us about a gastric balloon in Istanbul or a gastric sleeve in Istanbul. See every option on our weight loss and bariatrics page.
Your free review includes
What we look at:
- A free review of your height, weight and BMI
- A check of your medical history and medications
- Whether a gastric balloon may suit you
- Which balloon type fits: 6-month, 12-month or swallowable
- Whether a gastric sleeve may suit you
- Honest advice if another option would serve you better
- Expected stay: 3–4 days for a balloon, about 7 for a sleeve
- A no-obligation quote for the option that suits you
Which alternative fits depends on
- Your BMI and any weight-related health conditions
- Whether you prefer a non-surgical or a surgical option
- How much weight you need to lose, and how lasting the result should be
- Your medical history, including stomach problems or previous surgery
Why Vivid Clinic
Meet our medical team
Why patients ask Vivid Clinic about weight-loss options
- Honest assessment: we stopped offering gastric botox in 2025 and point you to options with stronger evidence
- Gastric balloons placed at a hospital endoscopy unit in Istanbul, with monitoring
- All-inclusive coordination for a balloon or sleeve: VIP transfers, hotel, interpreter and a dedicated coordinator
- Multilingual team supporting patients from Europe, the Middle East and beyond
- 24/7 support line and remote dietitian follow-up after a balloon or sleeve
Safety
Risks of gastric botox you should know
Gastric botox is less invasive than surgery, but it is not without risk. In 2023, the WHO and European health agencies reported botulism cases in people who had intragastric botulinum toxin for obesity in Türkiye. Anyone considering it should know this.
Possible effects
- Sedation and endoscopy risks, including sore throat and, rarely, bleeding or perforation
- Nausea, bloating, reflux, constipation or early fullness
- Allergic reaction, which is rare
- Spread of the toxin effect (iatrogenic botulism): difficulty swallowing, blurred vision, muscle weakness
- Little or no effect on appetite or weight for some people
If you are considering it elsewhere
- Vivid Clinic has not offered gastric botox since 2025
- We point patients to better-studied options, such as a gastric balloon
- If you have it elsewhere, ask for licensed toxin from an authorised supply chain
- Ask that it is done in a hospital endoscopy unit with monitoring
- Learn the warning signs of botulism and seek emergency care if they appear
Read the WHO Europe notice on iatrogenic botulism. If you ever develop swallowing, speech, vision or breathing problems after treatment, seek emergency care immediately.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about gastric botox in Turkey
Does Vivid Clinic still offer gastric botox in Turkey?
No. Vivid Clinic stopped offering gastric botox in 2025, and we do not arrange it for patients. The evidence for weight loss is limited and mixed. In 2023, the WHO and European agencies also reported botulism cases after intragastric botulinum toxin in Türkiye. We now point patients to better-studied options, such as a gastric balloon or a gastric sleeve. Our medical team reviews your details for free and tells you honestly which, if any, suits you.
Does gastric botox in Turkey really work for weight loss?
The honest answer is that the evidence is mixed. Some studies report reduced appetite and modest weight loss, while a 2017 meta-analysis of randomised trials found no significant benefit over placebo. Results vary with dose, injection sites and, above all, diet. Gastric botox in Turkey should be seen as a possible short-term support to a structured nutrition plan, not a stand-alone weight-loss treatment.
Is gastric botox in Turkey an off-label treatment?
Yes. Botulinum toxin is licensed for conditions such as muscle spasm and certain cosmetic uses, but no major regulator has approved it for weight loss. Using it inside the stomach for obesity is therefore off-label. That is legal when a doctor judges it appropriate and you give informed consent. You should still understand the limited evidence and the risks first.
What side effects should I watch for after gastric botox in Turkey?
Mild effects are common in the first days after gastric botox in Turkey: sore throat from the endoscope, bloating, nausea, early fullness or constipation. Seek urgent medical help for difficulty swallowing or speaking, drooping eyelids, double or blurred vision, breathlessness or spreading muscle weakness. These can appear weeks later. Tell the doctor that you had intragastric botulinum toxin, and when.
What can I have instead of gastric botox in Turkey?
At Vivid Clinic, the main non-surgical alternative is a gastric balloon. It is placed by endoscopy or swallowed as a capsule, and stays in for about 4 to 12 months. It suits adults with a BMI of about 30–40. With a BMI of 40 or more, or 35 with a weight-related illness, a gastric sleeve usually gives more substantial, lasting results. Our medical team reviews your details for free and recommends honestly.
How is gastric botox usually done?
Where it is offered, patients usually fast for around eight hours beforehand. In a hospital endoscopy unit, sedation is given through a cannula, with monitoring throughout. A thin camera passes through the mouth into the stomach. A fine needle then places measured doses into the muscle layer, usually in about 20 to 30 minutes. Patients rest for one to two hours afterwards. Vivid Clinic no longer performs this procedure.
Is gastric botox or a gastric balloon better for me?
Both are non-surgical and temporary. A gastric balloon has stronger evidence for weight loss, but usually more nausea in the first days. Gastric botox has limited, mixed evidence and is best seen as short-term support to a diet plan. With a BMI of 35 or more, surgery is likely to be far more effective. Vivid Clinic offers the gastric balloon, not gastric botox, and our medical team recommends honestly.
Free assessment
Get a free plan for a weight-loss option we offer
Send your height, weight, medical history and medications. We review the options we offer, not gastric botox. It is free and there is no obligation.
- 1Share your details and medicationsHere, or by WhatsApp on +90 545 742 3565.
- 2Medical review within 24 hoursWhich alternative suits you: a gastric balloon, a gastric sleeve or another approach, or honest advice if none does.
- 3Your personalised Istanbul planDates, hotel, transfers and your coordinator’s contact.
Get my free weight-loss plan
Free · No obligation · Reply within 24 h
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