BARIATRIC SURGERY

Gastric Balloon.

One of the most preferred methods for obesity treatment is stomach balloon application. In gastric balloon application, an entrance is made through the patients’ mouth with an endoscopy device and a balloon is placed inside the stomach. The balloon placed in the stomach is inflated with the operation, and the patient is provided with a feeling of satiety.

People who experience a feeling of satiety due to the presence of the balloon consume less food and thus start not gaining weight, but losing weight. In the gastric balloon operation, no incision is made to the patients, and therefore it is known as the non-surgical method of obesity treatment.

How Does A Gastric Balloon Work?

A gastric balloon works by taking up space in your stomach so that you feel full sooner and need to eat less. As you eat less amount of food, you start losing weight. It won’t help if you eat soft foods, sweets or drink high calorie liquids It allows you to get used to having smaller food portions and adopting a healthier lifestyle. When the gastric balloon is removed you will continue with your new lifestyle and eating patterns. You must be committed to a supervised gastric balloon diet and modified lifestyle both whilst the balloon is inserted and after it has been removed. The benefits of a gastric balloon are that it offers a non-surgical reversible weight loss treatment option that can help you to make long term new eating habits. Losing weight can also improve your lifestyle and cure any obesity-related health problems such as Type 2 diabetes.

What Are The Advantages Of Gastric Balloon?

It doesn’t require surgery.
This procedure is quick and easy.
It results in weight loss.
It may result in long-term weight loss when used in conjunction with a diet and exercise program.
You can expect to lose between 15 to 30 kilograms according to your current weight and lifestyle changes.
Most patients lose around 30% of excess body weight or 10% to 30% of their total weight.
You may feel full quicker and be less hungry while the balloon is in place.

Who Is Eligible for Gastric Balloon Operation?

For adults, overweight and obesity ranges are determined by calculating weight and height a number called the “body mass index” (BMI). BMI is used because, for most people, it correlates with their amount of body fat.
An adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight
An adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese
BMI is just an indicator of potential health risks associated with being overweight or obese. For assessing someone’s chance of developing overweight or obesity-related diseases, The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines recommend looking at two other predictors:
The individual’s waist circumference (because abdominal fat is a predictor for obesity-related diseases risk)
Other obesity-related risk factors are high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems and certain cancers

How Much Weight Can You Lose With Gastric Balloon?

The weight you can lose with a gastric balloon can change according to the changes you make in your lifestyle. Gastric balloon in your stomach helps to slow down the time for food to be emptied in your stomach. Your doctor can remove the gastric balloon after 6 months or less according to your goals and conditions.
You can lose about 7 to 15 percent of your body weight during this six months after the placement of the gastric balloon in your stomach. Total excess weight loss may range between 30 to 47 percent based on a summary of treatments that are currently available. The gastric balloon in your stomach helps you to feel full faster than normal. It also alters the level of hormones that control your appetite.

The gastric balloon in your stomach can help resolve or improve conditions related to obesity. It lowers your risk of suffering from weight-related health problems such as high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. Keep in mind that gastric balloon can only be applied if you have tried all other natural procedures for weight loss without any improvement.

Before Gastric Balloon Procedure

You’ll be warned to not drink anything for 12 hours before the appointment and not eat for 24 hours before the procedure. It’s essential to follow these guidelines as you may become nauseous after the balloon is inflated. The procedure will take around 20-30 minutes. According to the type of the balloon you choose, you may be given a mild sedative or light anesthetic. It is recommended to arrange transportation home after the procedure or stay in hospital for 1 night. Your surgeon may prescribe acid-reflux and anti-nausea medicine. Make sure you pick them up or have available when you return home.

How Gastric Balloon Inserted?

Gastric balloon is inserted orally. A pill is swallowed, or the gastric balloon is placed via endoscopy. Endoscopy uses a camera that is inserted into your esophagus. The gastric balloon is detached in the stomach and filled with liquid. The entire procedure takes about 20-30 minutes.

After Gastric Balloon Procedure

You can start with small amounts of water after six hours after the procedure. The liquid diet usually continues 2 weeks, then you can start eating soft foods, like purees. You’ll be able to start eating regular food after three weeks after the gastric balloon procedure.
Gastric balloon are left in place for 6-9 months and then removed using endoscopy. 3 month after the removal process new balloon may be placed. It can be decided according to the plan determined by you and your doctor. You’ll also meet with members of your medical team, such as your nutritionist and psychologist, frequently after your procedure.

Gastric Balloon Removal

Removal process is similar to having it inserted. Doctor will use a local anaesthetic spray to numb your throat before inserting a thin flexible telescope (endoscope) through your mouth into your stomach. They’ll then puncture the balloon to deflate it before removing it through your mouth. The procedure only takes around 15 minutes and shouldn’t be painful, but you can take a sedative to help you to relax.

Gastric Balloon Diet, Nutrition, Eating Plan

Some foods can stick to the balloon and cause very unpleasant ‘burps’. You may find that pasta and soft bread can cause problem like that. Slowly sip a glass of water about 30 to 45 minutes after meals. This will rinse the balloon and prevent the unpleasant burps caused by food sticking to the balloon.

Here are some tips after a gastric balloon surgery:
Be aware that the balloon may cause you to feel bloated and like you haven’t lost any weight when you have lost.
Aim for three healthy meals each day and not to consume more than 1200kcal.
Stop eating when you’re full, or if you feel any discomfort. Eat slowly and always chew your food well.
Avoid high calorie snack foods as they won’t help with your weight loss. Choose healthy snacks such as a piece of fruit, a hard-boiled egg or carrot sticks.
Don’t have dinner too late in the evening.
Eat off a side or small plate to help reduce your portions.
It’s normal to get pleasure out of food. As you are only eating small portions make sure you have food that you enjoy and that is nutritionally good for you.
Keep a food diary to record your food and liquid intake and any comments you have about your progress. This can be reviewed on a regular basis to help you get more benefit from your treatment.
Aim to drink at least eight cups of fluids each day to keep you well hydrated and to help prevent constipation.
Avoid drinking and eating at the same time, because it can be a reason of filling up too quickly, feel bloated or vomit.
You can chose drink fluids like water, non-carbonated flavoured waters (try squeezing some lemon into water), decaffeinated coffee or tea, herbal teas, clear soups and diluted unsweetened fruit juices.
Avoid drinks with too much gas as they can cause you to feel bloated.
Strong tea and coffee are not advised. Caffeine is an appetite stimulant so it can be detrimental to weight loss.
Exclude high calorie drinks such as milk shakes, alcohol and juices.
Do some exercises every day as your body allows. Walking for 15 to 30 minutes or more every day can help you with weight loss and make you feel healthy.
If you suffer from nausea, try to move around even if you don’t feel like it, as this helps move food from your stomach into your gut.

After your gastric balloon is removed you must continue to follow your eating habits and lifestyle changes you’ve made to prevent regaining weight.

Drinking Alcohol With Gastric Balloon

Yes, with the gastric balloon, you can consume alcohol, however, it is advised to significantly limit alcohol consumption.
Alcoholic beverages are high-calorie and, in large quantities, undermine weight loss efforts. Alcohol does not provide major nutrients to the body and in some cases, alcohol can be the cause of harm like ulcers.

In addition, gastric balloon covers volume in the stomach and gives a feeling of satiety so you will not feel like consuming as much food as you used to. With less food in your stomach, alcohol will have a quicker and greater effect. With an empty stomach the alcohol passes more quickly into the small intestines and as a result, you’ll get intoxicated faster then usual.

The effects of alcohol consumption with gastric balloon can be the following:

abdominal discomfort
heartburn
increased gastric acid production
ulcers

Alcohol is not prohibited with gastric balloon, but patients are advised to significantly limit the alcohol consumption.

How Much Does A Gastric Balloon Cost?

Due to the rules of competition ethics between institutions and the awareness of internet-information pollution, our prices for gastric balloon operation are not included on our website. Because our aim is to provide you with the highest quality and most accurate medical information and service. Thus, we can provide the necessary information about which medical operation will be the right choice for you. You may be wondering why we don’t make an online bid. That is why! Please contact us for detailed information. Our patient consultants who are experts in their fields are ready to help you.

Prof. Dr. Alper Çelik

Metabolic Surgeon

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