Gastric Baloon
Gastric balloon; a slimming method that is not a surgical procedure and does not require hospitalization.
What is Gastric Balloon?
If we're getting fat, there's a reason. Either a health issue or willpower!
In particular, irregular diet, inactivity and insensibleness are the most important causes of being overweight.
So how do we lose weight?
First of all, we will get support for this.
If we can't get results with diet and exercise, we will resort to other methods in order to eliminate the burdens of being overweight and co-morbidities on our body.
In addition to bariatric surgery, there are also non-surgical weight loss methods, and the gastric balloon is a non-surgical weight loss method.
A silicone balloon placed in the stomach takes up space and helps us lose weight. Thanks to the gastric balloon, in a sense, "our stomach gets smaller" or the volume there decreases.
Gastric balloon is an alternative treatment to bariatric surgery in overweight people who do not have an indication for surgery. In addition, in some special cases, it is used to help extremely obese patients lose weight during the preparation for surgery. This balloon takes up space in the stomach and allows you to be full quickly with less food. It gives you a "feeling of fullness". Thus, it helps you to acquire healthy eating habits. Of course, it is inevitable that we rely on your will as much as the gastric balloon, be sensible and eat a balanced diet. Most people can lose 10-30% of their total body weight with a gastric balloon.
For Whom is a Gastric Balloon Suitable?
It is applied to patients with a Body Mass Index between 27 and 35.
It is a preferred method for people who have tried to lose weight with diet, exercise and drugs but have not succeeded.
It is recommended for those who have been obese for the last 5 years.
It is especially preferred in patients who cannot tolerate bariatric surgeries.
It is an important option for patients who do not want to undergo bariatric surgery.
It is applied to those who need to lose weight to reduce the risk of surgery before weight loss surgery.
Who Shouldn't Get a Gastric Balloon?
Those who have wounds in the esophagus, stomach and duodenum
Those with gastritis
Those with stomach ulcer problems
Those with stomach stenosis
Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers
Those who want to lose weight for aesthetic purposes
Those who have had previous bariatric surgery
Those under the age of 16 and those over the age of 60
Those with psychiatric disorders
Alcohol and drug addicts
Those with inflammatory bowel disease
Those who use blood thinners
How to Insert a Gastric Balloon?
It is not a surgical method. The procedure is performed under anesthesia, after the patient is completely asleep, accompanied by endoscopy. First, the inner surface of the stomach is examined. After it is seen that there is no obstacle to placing the balloon in the stomach, the balloon is placed with the help of the endoscope and inflated with a certain amount of air or liquid according to the characteristics of the balloon.
There are different alternative balloon options according to the duration of stay in the stomach and the adjustable amount of liquid in the balloon.
Your doctor who will perform the operation will give you all the detailed information.
So, what should we do before the gastric balloon procedure?
You will stop eating 12 hours before and stop fluid intake 6 hours before.
Gastric balloon is a quick and painless procedure. The duration of the procedure is on average 15 minutes. It is performed as an outpatient and does not require hospitalization. After the gastric balloon, the patient is kept under observation for a while and sent home.
Since this procedure will be performed under anesthesia, it is not recommended to drive that day afterwards.
Advantages:
It is not a surgical procedure.
Gastric balloon is applied easily and quickly.
Combined with diet and exercise, it can provide long-term effective weight loss.
Up to 30% of excess weight at the most can be lost with gastric balloon.
Disadvantages:
Some patients may not be able to tolerate the balloon. Nausea and vomiting attacks, stomach cramps may be a problem in the first days.
It can cause acid, reflux, so patients need to use stomach acid lowering drug for a long time.
It can stay in the stomach for up to a year. It must be removed after.
There is a risk of regaining the lost weight after the balloon is removed.
How the Gastric Balloon Works?
- By covering the inner volume of your stomach, it helps you to be full early with less food.
- Another benefit of the gastric balloon is that it helps you feel full for a longer time by slowing the passage of the food you take from the stomach.
How long can the balloon stay in my stomach?
The gastric balloon is designed to remain in the stomach for 6 months. Some balloons can stay up to 1 year. Afterwards, the balloon is deflated under anesthesia and removed with the help of endoscopy.
How Much Weight Can I Lose With a Balloon?
Although this is up to you, 10-25 kg can be lost with a balloon. Diet and exercise are important after gastric balloon. If you do not feel balanced and active after removing the gastric balloon, of course, it will not be a surprise for you to regain the weight you lost.
How to Remove Gastric Balloon?
The balloon placed by endoscopy is removed with special kits according to its type and as a general principle, by emptying it.
After the balloon is deflated, it is held and removed from the esophagus to the mouth. The process takes an average of 15 minutes.
Side Effects of Gastric Balloon
You may feel a little uncomfortable in the first days after the balloon is inserted. Some patients may feel nauseous during food intake. There may be occasional episodes of vomiting. After the first week, these complaints go away. In the first week, the feeling of hunger is suppressed. In the second week, the feeling of hunger gradually returns, but satiety is felt with less food. Between 3-6 weeks, your stomach will fully adapt to the balloon and you will be able to consume more food. In this process, balanced diet habits and persistence are important.
You should not eat fast, you should stop eating when a feeling of fullness occurs. In this process, if symptoms such as nausea and hiccups occur after meals, this indicates that you have eaten excessively or quickly. Lifestyle changes, especially exercise and proper eating habits, are extremely important for continued weight loss in the following weeks.
How Nutrition Should Be After Gastric Balloon?
Liquid foods are consumed in the first few days.
Bites should be small.
You must eat very slowly and chew well.
You should stop eating as soon as you feel acid, reflux or bloating.
You should stay away from salt, spices and oil.
You should not exceed three main meals and three snacks a day.
You should avoid snacking.
You should avoid sweet and sugary foods.
You should drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day.
You should not take water or liquids with meals.
You should make it a habit to drink water before or after meals.
You should avoid carbonated drinks and strong coffees.
You should avoid smoking habit, especially before meals.
At the end of the 4th day, you should switch to solid foods.
If solid foods cause problems, you should delay this transition and return to liquid foods.
You should not eat very late.
You should exercise at least 40 minutes a day.
