Gastric Balloon: Endoscopic Bariatric Surgery

As the name suggests, gastric balloon surgery is the inflation of a balloon with a volume of 400-700 cc in the stomach. This bariatric surgery, which is performed by endoscopic method, is used in patients who cannot lose weight naturally and have a high risk of surgery or do not want to have surgery. The purpose of this operation is to get a feeling of fullness with less food since there is a balloon in the stomach. You will get a temporary result after this operation.İf you do not repeat your previous eating habits, you can see the benefits in the long term.

How is Gastric Balloon Operations Performed?

The patient is put to sleep after 8 hours of fasting. The balloon is sent to the stomach via endoscopy. Depending on the type of balloon, it is filled with water or air. Water balloons are filled with a blue physiological liquid. In this way, when there is a leak in the balloon, it can be easily recognized by the blue color in the urine. The larger the volume of the balloon inside, the greater the feeling of satiety. However, tolerance becomes more difficult.

How Does a Gastric Balloon Make You Lose Weight?

Thanks to the balloon that takes up space in the stomach, the feeling of fullness is reached faster. However, it gives definite results when combined with diet and exercises. Although it only reduces the frequency and amount of eating alone, diet and exercise should also be included in order to lose weight in a healthy way.

Gastric Balloon Advantages

This bariatric surgical operation, which is preferred by obesity patients who are at risk for surgery or patients who are afraid of surgery, is performed with the endoscopic method. After this procedure, Patients loses some weight and becomes sufficient for other surgical operations. The operation can be completed very easily and quickly.

In Which Situations Can’t the Gastric Balloon Be Inserted?

stomach ulcer
large stomach hernia
pregnancy/breastfeeding
Alcohol addiction
Have undergone a previous stomach surgery
Aesthetic slimming
stomach stenosis
Esophageal problem
Gastric balloon procedure cannot be performed in cases of blood coagulation problems and in patients with a body mass index below 30.

Gastric Balloon Risks

This operation is widely used in the world by overweight and obesity patients. Complications that may occur as a result of the operation are very rare and can be easily treated. Some of those; reflux, stomach bleeding, gastric ulcer, balloon deflating and passing of the balloon into the intestine.

Endoscopic Risks of Gastric Balloon

Endoscopic risks in gastric balloon, which is a bariatric surgery application, are very low. While the risk of any complication does not exceed 1%, the risk of major complications is less than 0.1%.

After Gastric Balloon

Since the stomach will want to digest the balloon, vomiting and nausea may occur with cramps after the first 1-2 hours. These effects can last for 3-4 days. Already after the surgery, drugs will be prescribed for these effects. Therefore, you will feel the effects of these pains less. If your body adapts to the balloon easily, you can move on to the general flow of your life. As we mentioned before, you should help your body with healthy nutrition and exercise.