Gastric Balloon(Intragastric Balloon)
The intragastric balloon is placed endoscopically into the stomach, occupying space to help you feel full sooner and adhere to your diet.
What is a gastric balloon?
The intragastric balloon is a soft, smooth, and durable balloon made of silicone rubber, designed to be placed in the stomach to reduce its capacity and help you feel full with less food. The deflated balloon is inserted into the stomach via the mouth using an endoscope, a thin and flexible tube. Once in place, the balloon is filled with a saline solution, occupying space in the stomach and leaving less room for large amounts of food and drink. This helps you feel full faster with smaller meals and stay satisfied longer between meals.
Like other weight loss procedures, success with the intragastric balloon requires a commitment to a healthier lifestyle. For long-term results, you’ll need to make permanent healthy dietary changes and engage in regular exercise.
How is the gastric balloon inserted?
After eight hours of fasting, the patient is put to sleep with sedoanalgesia and the gastric balloon is placed into the stomach under endoscopy. Then, depending on the type, the water balloon is inflated with methylene blue colored saline, and the air balloon is inflated with normal room air. In general, balloons are inflated with 500 ml of average liquid or air. As the size of the balloon increases, the feeling of fullness and satiety in the stomach increases, but tolerance becomes difficult. When there is a leak in the saline and methylene blue balloon placed in the balloon, the urine and feces are colored blue and saline colored with methylene blue is added to make it clear.
Gastric balloon results
The gastric balloon, which allows us to feel full more quickly, creates a feeling of satiety with less food than usual. This is because the gastric balloon slows down the time it takes to empty the stomach. In addition, it changes the level of hormones that control appetite.
Your habits that will make your life healthier, such as sports and diet, also play an important role in weight loss.
As with other factors and surgeries that lead to significant weight loss, a gastric balloon can help improve or resolve conditions often associated with overweight. These conditions include:
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels
- Sleep apnea
- Type 2 diabetes
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Joint pain caused by osteoarthritis
- Skin conditions such as psoriasis and acanthosis nigricans, which cause dark discoloration in body folds and wrinkles
A gastric balloon is an effective method that can help you lose weight and improve your health. However, the success of this method depends on permanent healthy changes in your lifestyle.
Gastric balloon surgery
Gastric balloon surgery is a treatment for weight loss. In this procedure, a balloon is inserted into the stomach to reduce the volume of the stomach so that patients can eat less and feel full. Gastric balloon surgery is usually performed endoscopically, meaning that a camera and balloon are inserted into the stomach through the mouth without any surgical incision.
How is gastric balloon surgery performed?
Preparation: Before the surgery, the patient undergoes a detailed medical check-up and is evaluated whether he/she is suitable for surgery.
Sedation: A mild sedation is applied to make the patient comfortable during the procedure.
Placement: With the help of a flexible tube called an endoscope and a camera, the balloon is inserted into the stomach.
Inflation: After the balloon is placed in the stomach, it is inflated with a sterile liquid. In this way, the stomach volume shrinks and the patient feels full with less food.
Monitoring: After the procedure, the patient is monitored for a while and checked for any complications.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Less risky as it is not a surgical procedure.
- It has a fast recovery process.
- Less invasive than other weight loss methods.
Disadvantages:
- There may be side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
- The balloon usually has to be removed after 6 months, so lifestyle changes are necessary to achieve long-term results.
Who is it suitable for?
Gastric balloon surgery is suitable for people with a body mass index (BMI) between 30-40 and who cannot lose enough weight with diet and exercise. However, it should be evaluated by the doctor whether it is suitable for each patient and the patient should undergo a comprehensive evaluation.
Gastric balloon surgery can be an effective method for people who want to lose weight. However, the success of this method depends on the patient’s ability to adapt to post-operative lifestyle changes and adhere to their doctor’s recommendations. If you are considering this surgery, you should talk to a health professional in detail to find out if it is right for you.
Post-operative life
The key consideration for these procedures is that patients should understand that a new life awaits them in the postoperative period. Following the guidance of a nutritionist to adopt a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet, eating small meals frequently, chewing food thoroughly, supplementing with multivitamins, calcium, and vitamin D, and incorporating physical exercise are crucial steps. Due to the decreased appetite that often accompanies these surgeries, patients typically find it easier to embrace a new lifestyle in the postoperative period.
Gastric balloon side effects
Nausea and Vomiting: The presence of the balloon in the stomach may cause nausea and vomiting in some patients.
Abdominal Pain and Discomfort: Pain or discomfort in the abdomen may be felt when the balloon is inserted or inflated.
Reflux: Reflux may occur after the gastric balloon procedure. In such cases, consuming low-fat milk and dairy products can alleviate reflux complaints. Organizing your diet in this direction can help keep discomfort under control.
Stomach Cramps: Stomach cramps are a short-term discomfort that usually occurs after the initial insertion of the gastric balloon. This is a natural part of the body getting used to the balloon. Over time, as your diet is established, the severity of these cramps will decrease and the discomfort will disappear.
Each patient may react differently and these side effects may not always occur. It is important for the patient to contact their doctor if they experience any discomfort or problems after gastric balloon surgery.
How much is a gastric balloon
The cost of a gastric balloon can often vary depending on factors such as country, city and health institution.
It can also vary depending on the services offered by the clinic, the type of balloon and the specialization of the doctor performing the surgery. It is important to contact healthcare institutions directly to get exact cost information.
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Gastric balloon frequently asked questions
How long does a gastric balloon last?
The weight loss balloon stays in your stomach for 6 months and can then be easily removed in a 20-25 minute procedure, similar to the initial insertion. The timing of removal depends on your treatment program or your doctor's advice.
Does gastric balloon really work?
Yes, the gastric balloon can be effective for weight loss by helping to control portion sizes and reduce hunger. It works best when combined with lifestyle changes like a healthy diet and regular exercise, leading to sustainable weight loss results.
How much weight can you lose on a gastric balloon?
Weight loss with a gastric balloon is usually around 10% of your total weight or 30% of your excess weight. This amount can make a significant change that will positively affect your health. The results may increase or decrease depending on how long you stick to the program.
Who is the gastric balloon not suitable for?
Narrowing or altered anatomy in the mouth and throat area Partial or complete obstruction af the nearest esophagus Past gastric surgery mass in stomach Large hiatal hernia (>4 cm) Esophageal or stomach varices achalasia.
Is gastric balloon safe?
The reason why gastric balloon is often preferred is that the risks of gastric balloon are quite low.
Can you exercise with a gastric balloon?
Yes, it is generally safe to exercise with a gastric balloon. In fact, incorporating regular physical activity is often recommended to support weight loss and overall health during the period when the balloon is in place. However, the intensity and type of exercise should be discussed with your healthcare provider to ensure it aligns with your individual health status and the specific guidelines provided after the gastric balloon procedure.
When can I have sexual intercourse after surgery?
The question of when you can have sexual intercourse after your bariatric surgery is a common one. But many times patients are embarressed to ask. Unfortunately, the answer is not simple. It depends on your post-surgical healing progress and how your body feels. Generally, 1 month after surgery is enough time to start with it.
How is the balloon removed?
After approximately 16 weeks inside your stomach, a time-activated release valve will open, allowing the balloon to empty and pass naturally through the gastrointestial tract without the need for a remowal procedure.
What happens at removal?
In a similar way to insertion, the 6 and 12 month balloons are removed during a 15-20 minute endoscopy procedure. The balloon is punctured and emptied and the deflated balloon is removed through the month. Again you will be conscious but sedated so won’t feel any discomfort.
Why Sava Clinic?
Sava Clinic Obesity Center (Bariatric Surgery), our specialists aim to help our patients get rid of excessive fat masses permanently, have a healthy body mass index and maintain a healthy life. To that end, a treatment program is created for each patient presenting to our center with a multidisciplinary approach with the participation of endocrinologists, psychiatrics, dieticians and specialists from other related disciplines. Treatment plan that is started before surgery is supported with a meticulous follow-up system after the procedure by evaluating the patient’s psychological status, lifestyle and habits.
Sava Clinic Obesity Center (Bariatric Surgery), we definitely share all recommended treatment practices with our patients after multidisciplinary evaluations tailored for each patient. We ensure participation of our patients in entire process so that the outcomes can be long lasting and complications can be prevented as much as possible with our patient-oriented treatment approach.
Especially for bariatric surgeries, clinical experience is one of the most critical factors in success of treatments. Thanks to our specialists’ experience of more than 25 years gained at centers in Turkey, USA and Europe and our center’s top level quality approach for services, Sava Clinic Obesity Center (Bariatric Surgery) is referred as a reference center in not only our country but also international arena with its success in treatments. Most importantly, patients who have undergone surgery or have problems related to surgery are referred to our center for revision surgeries or endoscopic therapies
Why choose us?
Choose Sava Clinic because our expert team, state-of-the-art facilities, and personalized approaches elevate your health and beauty to the highest level.
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Gastric Balloon
The services provided by us
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