Gastric Balloon

Stomach balloon application does not leave any permanent scars, does not require hospitalization, and can provide an average of 10-25 Kg loss. Especially, if it is supported with diet and sports, its effectiveness increases even more.

The balloons that remain in the stomach for periods ranging from 6 months to one year are made of silicone, harmless and non-allergic. Its application is carried out by providing sedation (light sleep) with the endoscopy procedure. It does not leave any traces, it is removed under sedation at any time.

Gastric balloon; It is applied to people who have obesity problems but think that the surgery is risky, to people who are 15-25 kilos overweight and want to get rid of it, in order to reduce the risk by providing 20-30 kg weight loss before surgery in patients who are planned to have surgery due to obesity but at high risk.

Also; Gastric balloon is also applied to people who use diet, sports, acupuncture, weight loss drugs and cannot lose weight or regain it.

In patients with active gastric ulcer
In patients with severe esophagitis (grade 3-4)
People with gastric hernia (>5 cm)
In cases of esophageal and gastric surgery or congenital anatomical defect in the gastrointestinal tract,
In case of pregnancy,
Gastric balloon is not applied in cases of anticoagulant use, cortisone and similar drug use.

Intra Gastric Balloon can be applied while awake, under mild sleepiness called sedation or under general anesthesia. The balloon, which is usually applied while awake, should be removed under anesthesia.

After the application of the Intra Gastric Balloon, abdominal pain and spasm occur, especially in the first 3 days, and this situation usually disappears in the following days. Although it is very unlikely, there are risks such as self-deflating of the balloon, causing intestinal obstruction and stomach ulcer. It has been reported in the literature that there was a patient with esophageal rupture while removing the balloon.

TYPES OF STOMACH BALLOON

There are 3 types of gastric balloon

There are varieties of gastric balloon. The main ones are;

Air gastric balloons: The balloon is inflated by filling 500 to 800 milliliters of air.

Liquid gastric balloons: 400-700 milliliters of liquid are filled into the balloon.

Adjustable gastric balloons: 400-500 milliliters of fluid are filled into the stomach, but the fluid in the balloon can be increased or decreased by performing an endoscopy from time to time, depending on the weight loss situation.

Gastric balloon; The most effective weight loss method after stomach surgery is the gastric balloon. It is both easy to implement and does not waste time in business and social life. Gastric balloon application takes place in 20 minutes. One hour after the balloon is inserted, daily life can be continued.

HOW MUCH WEIGHT CAN LOSE WITH THE STOMACH BALLOON?

The person who has a gastric balloon often asks this question. How much weight is lost with gastric balloon?

The weight to be lost after the gastric balloon is applied varies from person to person.

Stomach balloon can be the first person who loses 3 kilos, but there are also those who lose 25 kilos. People who lose 3 kilos are usually those who do not make any effort and leave all their expectations to the balloon and have the balloon removed early. If they have regular control and apply one or more of the methods such as diet, sports and medication together with balloon application, they can easily lose 20 kilos.

How much weight is lost with a gastric balloon? Another factor that determines the answer to the question is the weight of the person while having the balloon fitted. If an individual with a balloon is 150 kilos, it can be considered as a small loss to lose 20 kilos, while it can be considered as a weight loss above the expected for someone who is 80 kilos.

After the gastric balloon remains in the stomach for a period of 6 months to 1 year, it can be removed at a time deemed appropriate by the physician. Removal is performed endoscopically. This procedure is performed under mild anesthesia by repeating the sedation procedure applied when the balloon is inserted.

Stomach Balloons are products produced by different companies and have different characteristics. For this reason, the balloon stays in the stomach for different times depending on the production method. It is usually removed at the appropriate time. Different balloons may differ slightly in terms of weight loss effectiveness. Although scientific studies indicate that there is no difference in weight loss between liquid and air balloons, the targeted weight loss can be easily achieved if liquid balloons are filled with 500 milliliters.

The volume of the balloon is also effective in losing weight. Both raw liquid and air balloons are inflated in different volumes. While liquid balloons are usually inflated with 400-500 milliliters, air balloons are inflated with 500-750 milliliters. The larger the balloon volume, the more weight loss can be achieved. However; A situation that should be considered is the larger the volume, the higher the risk of balloon-related gurgling complaints, reflux complaints, and ulcer formation in the stomach.

At the beginning of all these factors, it is important for the person to understand the balloon application with a realistic approach and not to expect everything from the balloon and the physician. This is the process. It is a process that the physician, patient and dietician will carry out together and that success will be high with a good harmony.

TYPES OF STOMACH BALLOON

Gastric balloon can be classified in several ways. The main ones are

Depending on whether it is liquid or air;

In the liquid balloon, after the balloon is deflated into the stomach, colored liquid is introduced into the balloon through an external catheter. This colored liquid is saline colored with methylene blue. Liquid balloons usually have a volume of 400-500 milliliters. The methylene blue in the liquid balloon causes the urine to turn green if the balloon leaks, so that the patient can tell whether the balloon is leaking by looking at the urine color. It settles in the lower part of the stomach called the antrum. However, its placement may change depending on whether the person is standing or lying down. The balloon is displayed with ultrasonography performed in the control.
Air balloon; These are balloons in which air is injected into the balloon through an external catheter. They are in a higher volume than the liquid balloon, but they do not create weight. Therefore, they settle in the fundus part of the stomach. They can be in volumes of 500 to 750 milliliters. It is not possible for the patient to understand that there is an air leak. The final condition is determined by taking the image of the balloon with the direct abdominal X-ray taken at the time of the control.

Depending on whether the volume is adjustable;

Fixed volume balloons: In these balloons, liquid or air is injected into the balloon and no further intervention is made until it is removed. They usually stay in the stomach for 6 months. Longer periods may cause ulcer-like sores in the stomach. These balloons are relatively easy to apply. 15-20 min. It can be applied inside. Although they are recommended to be applied under anesthesia, they can also be applied while awake.
Balloons of varying volume; These balloons are also liquid balloons. 400-500 milliliters of liquid is applied into the balloon. They are balloons that are at the end of the balloon depending on the weight loss situation and that can be taken out and the liquid can be added or the liquid can be emptied when desired, due to its elasticity.

STOMACH BALLOONS ACCORDING TO THE APPLICATION METHOD

Stomach Balloons Applied by Endoscopist

This type of balloons are not self-melting balloons. The endoscopy doctor advances the balloon through the mouth to the stomach to the person under mild anesthesia. The balloon has a thin catheter at the tip. One end of this catheter is outside, the doctor or a nurse injects the liquid from the outside end of the catheter with a syringe, usually 50 ml injectors are used. The balloon is inflated with 500-700 ml of liquid with an average of 10-14 injections. The catheter is pulled out. The balloon remains in the stomach cavity. After the endoscopy doctor checks with the endoscopy device whether the balloon is in its normal place and whether there is any fluid leakage, the procedure is terminated.

Patient Swallowed Gastric Balloons

This type of balloons are self-melting balloons. Approximately 400 ml of liquid is injected into the disc-shaped balloon. The balloon is slowly swallowed by the patient by drinking sips of water. Since the balloon can be seen in the x-ray, it is checked whether it is in the stomach with occasional x-rays. When it is understood that the balloon is in the stomach, fluid is injected by the health personnel through a thin tube called a catheter, which is connected to the balloon and has one end outside. After 400 ml, this tube is withdrawn and the balloon is released in the stomach. The balloon stays in the stomach for up to 4 months and is expelled through the intestine by deflating by itself. It should be known that this type of balloons has no superiority over other types of balloons in terms of weight loss.

ADVANTAGES OF THE STOMACH BALLOON

Stomach balloon is an alternative treatment method for people who cannot lose weight with diet, sports, acupuncture, drugs or who constantly lose weight and regain weight. Gastric balloons are balloons made of silicone that can be inflated with liquid or air. After gastric balloons are applied to a patient, they are punctured in the stomach and the liquid or air inside is evacuated and taken out.

The taken out balloon is thrown away. Balloons are not substances that have harmful effects on the stomach. However, when it stays in the stomach for a long time, it can cause ulcer-like wounds in the stomach over time due to the pressure and contact effect. So, what are the advantages of these balloons?

Stomach balloons can be performed in a state of light sleep called sedation.
Stomach balloon application 20 min. It happens in such a short time.
After the gastric balloon application, the person can resume normal life after the effect of anesthesia wears off, that is, after a few hours.
With the gastric balloon, weight can be lost between 3 and 25 kilos.
The gastric balloon can be removed in a period ranging from 6 months to 1 year and reapplied 1 month later. The weight loss process is continued with repetitive balloon applications.
Stomach balloon does not cause pain or discomfort.
Stomach balloon application does not leave any permanent scars or scars.
The gastric balloon can be removed at any time, that is, without waiting for 6 months.
The person who has a gastric balloon does not need to come for frequent check-ups, but dietitian support is helpful.
Gastric balloon is an effective weight loss method when supported with diet, sports and drugs in the treatment of obesity.

There are many methods to get rid of overweight and obesity, which are the problems of our age. The most effective of these methods is of course; obesity surgery. However, obesity surgery is also the most risky. Because anesthesia is required for bariatric surgery, there are risks such as leakage, infection and bleeding due to the cut organ. But; Gastric balloon is a method called sedation that can be done in light sleep state.

It is possible to lose 25 kilos with these methods. Gastric balloon reveals satisfactory results in people who are really determined to lose weight.