What is a Gastric Balloon?
Gastric balloon is one of the treatment methods used in obesity treatment that does not require surgical intervention and reduces the risk of surgery, especially in cases of morbid obesity. In recent years, it is noteworthy that non-surgical slimming techniques used in obesity treatment have very effective results.
The gastric balloon method, which provides weight loss between 10-25 kg on average, requires the patient to adhere to the diet and exercise programs given to the patient. If the patient does not comply with the necessary nutrition program; it is possible to regain the lost weight.
How is the gastric balloon applied?
The operation is performed while the patient is under sedation or general anesthesia. The intra-gastric balloon is advanced into the stomach through the mouth with the endoscopic method while it is deflated. After the balloon is inserted, it is inflated with air until it reaches a volume of 500-900 ml or with blue dyed serum until it reaches a volume of 450-500 cc. The operation can be completed within 15 minutes. The intervention does not require the patient to stay in hospital. After the operation, the patient is awakened and monitored for a short time and can return home on the same day. Abdominal pain and spasm may be experienced for the first 3 days after the operation. These postoperative complaints disappear in the following days.
After the operation, the patient should adhere to the diet and exercise programs determined specifically for him/her. If the lifestyle adopted during the treatment phase is adopted, it is possible to achieve long-term weight control even after the balloon is removed. The intra gastric balloon should be removed 6-12 months after insertion. Balloon removal is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia.
Who can have gastric balloon and who cannot have gastric balloon?
The balloon technique can be applied to reduce the risk of surgery in patients who will undergo obesity surgery, as well as to patients with a body mass index above 25 and who cannot get rid of their excess weight despite the diet and exercise programs they follow.
Intra gastric balloon cannot be applied to patients with gastric diseases, pregnant women and patients who have received cortisone therapy for a long time.
Does a gastric balloon burst?
Intra gastric balloons do not burst, but they can leak, although this is rare. The reason why the liquid that inflates the balloons is colored with blue dye is to make sure that any leakage is noticeable. If the balloons inflated with blue liquid leak, the patient’s urine turns a greenish color. When such a situation is noticed, it should be checked whether the balloon is in its normal place and whether there is a change in its volume.