It is a method used in the treatment of obesity and does not require surgery. It is a method that helps to lose weight by creating a low calorie environment as a result of less food intake and continuous saturation thanks to the balloon that takes up the volume in the stomach.
What is a Gastric Balloon?
It is a method that can stay in the stomach for 6-12 months and has been used in the treatment of obesity for about 30 years. Provided that the diet and exercise program comply with this method, approximately 20 kilos of weight loss can be expected in 1 year. ?
- Patients with a BMI of 30 and above,
- Unsuccessful patients despite many diet and exercise programs,
- Obese patients for whom surgical treatment is risky ,
- Patients over the age of 18 and younger than 60.
Who Should Not Have a Gastric Balloon?
- Alcohol and substance addicts,
- Patients who are pregnant and planning a pregnancy,
- Those with serious heart, kidney, liver and lung disease,
- Eating before meals Patients with tube and stomach surgery,
- Patients who have to use blood thinners constantly,
- Patients with gastric hernia, reflux and related esophageal burns,
- Stomach -Patients with duodenal ulcer.
How is the Gastric Balloon Applied?
The balloon is applied endoscopically, that is, without surgery. Since the patient is anesthetized, he does not feel anything during the procedure and the procedure is completed in an average of 15 minutes. After removing the endoscope in patients without obstruction, the balloon is sent to the stomach through the mouth and esophagus via special apparatus. Afterwards, after the position of the balloon in the stomach is clarified by performing an endoscopy again, the balloon is inflated by injecting methylene blue-dyed saline into the balloon by means of special endoscopic apparatus.
Firstly, 400 cc of saline given can be increased over time according to the tolerability of the patient and all these procedures are performed endoscopically. After the procedure, the patient wakes up immediately and takes approximately 1-2 hours. He is discharged home after staying in the hospital.
Does the Gastric Balloon Burst? How to Identify and Treat a burst?
It is very rare for a gastric balloon to burst. When it explodes, the blue water inside mixes with the intestinal tract and turns the urine blue. In this case, the patient throws the balloon out normally, or the balloon is removed without surgery by entering the stomach with the endoscope.
What are the Side Effects of Gastric Balloon Application?
Although very rarely, bleeding and perforation of the esophagus and stomach may occur while the balloon is placed. visible. Such conditions are controlled with drugs given either orally or intravenously, and the patient adapts to the balloon over time. Again in the first weeks, fatigue may occur due to decreased daily fluid intake.
Read: 4