Gastric Balloon
Gastric Balloon in Turkey
The simplest method to help lose weight is gastric balloon application. In this method, a balloon filled with fluid or air in the stomach is placed under mild anesthesia with the help of an endoscope. This process takes 15-20 minutes. Thus, the food intake capacity of the stomach is reduced and rapid saturation is achieved.
With this method, patients can lose 7-8 pounds in a few months. However, this balloon can remain in the body for 6 months, a maximum of 1 year, and it is removed endoscopically in 5-6 minutes. Although the simple application and the absence of permanent changes in the body are the advantages of the method, the weight lost can be recovered if the patient does not change his lifestyle and continue his diet after the balloon is removed. However, within 6 months to 1 year of use, people are trained on how to eat by experimenting. This method, which has gradually lost its popularity today, is used as a preparation for basic morbidobesity surgery in patients who are too risky for surgery or super obese people. It may be ideal for people with a BMI of 30-40kg / m2.
Is Gastric Balloon A New Method?
The use of obesity as a non-surgical obesity treatment is a worldwide known and valid method. The idea of controlling obesity by giving a feeling of satiety with the help of a balloon that takes up space in the stomach was first developed in 1982. It has been proven by hundreds of studies that successful weight loss can be achieved with many different balloon types since then.
In a scientific congress held in Florida in 1987, many international experts came together and determined the basic design criteria for the ideal gastric balloon. In this way, the new generation gastric balloons produced have become an accepted treatment method in all Europe. Gastric balloon, which can be applied with an endoscopic method without the need for surgery, can be considered as an option to lose an average of 10-25 kg.
How to Attach a Gastric Balloon?
The gastric balloon is placed in the stomach with the help of an illuminated camera called an endoscope. This device has an average thickness of 0.8-12 mm and is flexible enough to easily pass through the esophagus. With the conscious sedation technique called sedoanalgesia applied by the anesthesiologist during the procedure, the patient is allowed to sleep completely for 10-15 minutes without stopping breathing. In other words, it is not possible to feel or remember anything during the procedure.
After the patient is put to sleep, a complete endoscopic examination is performed first. In other words, the entire upper digestive system from the esophagus to the duodenum is examined. If there is no reflux, ulcer, severe gastritis or suspicious lesion in the stomach, the endoscope is removed and the balloon is lowered into the stomach.
No discomfort occurs in the early period after the procedure. After a few hours, symptoms such as stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting may occur.
These side effects are due to the mass effect that the balloon creates in the stomach and usually lasts for a maximum of 3-4 days. In this process, the symptoms are alleviated by drugs taken either orally or intravenously. Very rarely, if the patient is not able to consume enough fluid, intravenous supplementation may be required.
In most patients, complaints disappear completely at the end of the first week. In very rare cases, the balloon may need to be removed early in cases where the symptoms do not alleviate and the balloon cannot be tolerated despite all treatments.
Who, Why and When Is Gastric Balloon Applied?
Balloon is a temporary treatment for weight loss. It provides great benefit to the patient in terms of significantly reducing the risks of other diseases related to obesity (such as Type II diabetes, vascular diseases, joint diseases …). It helps in weight loss and protection of lost weight.
The biggest benefit is that it provides a long-term support, such as 6 months, for the patient to acquire a new eating habit.
Before obesity surgery, weakening the patients who will be operated before the surgery helps to reduce the surgical risks. Therefore, it is recommended to be used as the first step in patients with superobese or severe comorbidities.
After the balloon is removed, it should be ensured that the weight loss of the obese person continues with a diet program. Otherwise, it is possible to quickly regain the weight lost.
The balloon should not stay in the stomach for more than six months. In cases that exceed this period, the silicon begins to deteriorate and the highly sophisticated removal process becomes more difficult. It is worth repeating; In hands unfamiliar with these procedures, serious complications such as perforation in the esophagus or stomach may occur during removal. In expert hands, these risks are close to zero.
At the end of the required time, the balloon is removed from the stomach endoscopically.
This method enables the obese person to lose 20-25% weight in six months. At least 2-3 weight loss per month and 15 weight loss in 6 months can be achieved. With the regular implementation of diet and exercise programs, a loss of up to 30-40 kilos can be expected. Weight loss and weight loss depend entirely on one’s motivation for a new lifestyle and determination to change eating habits. In other words, it may be the case that you cannot lose weight even though the balloon is attached.
Compatibility of patients who will be applied balloon is an important condition for the success of the treatment. The patient should be willing and determined to change their eating habits and lifestyle.
Who Is The Stomach Balloon Suitable For?
Gastric balloon is a non-surgical, non-drug alternative treatment method of obesity. Cases where its use is correct:
- Patients between the ages of 18-60
- Patients with a BMI between 30-39 who are not suitable for surgery
- Patients whose BMI is over 35 and needs to be attenuated before surgery because they have serious risks.
- Patients who have tried other methods before and have failed
- Those who do not have problems in the digestive system such as large stomach hernia, esophageal varices, stenosis, ulcer
- Risk of pregnancy and unlikely for 12 months
- People without alcohol and drug addiction
- Those who have no previous history of bariatric surgery, bowel obstruction or peritonitis
- Those who do not have a history of chronic high-dose painkillers or aspirin use
Who Is Not Suitable For A Stomach Balloon?
Patients who are not suitable for gastric balloon:
Those with a body mass index below 30: While this limit is valid in the USA, over 27 are eligible cases in Canada, Australia and England. In short, this method should not be used only for cosmetic purposes in obese individuals whose body mass index is not suitable.
Those with digestive system disorders such as esophagitis, stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer, Crohn’s disease
Those at risk of upper digestive system bleeding, such as esophageal or stomach varices
Congenital or acquired digestive system problems such as atresia or stenosis
Mentally retarded, emotionally unstable patients with significant psychological problems
Alcohol and substance addicts
Those with a poor health profile that cannot be anesthetized, even if mildly
People with large hernias
Those who have had an abdominal surgery before
Risks and Complications of Gastric Balloon
Serious side effects are rare after insertion and removal of the balloon. Pain and nausea affect about a third of people a few days after the gastric balloon is inserted. However, these symptoms usually only last for a few days after the balloon is placed. These symptoms can usually be treated at home with oral medications.
In some cases, the balloon may deflate. The risk of this is that if the balloon deflates, it may move through your digestive system. This condition can lead to a blockage that may require an additional procedure or surgery to remove the balloon. Other possible risks are an ulcer or a hole in the stomach wall that may require surgery to fix it.
In addition, dehydration may develop due to insufficient fluid intake. If the patient cannot consume enough fluid for any reason, serum can be given.