Gastric balloon is a method used in the treatment of obesity. In this method, a balloon is endoscopically inserted into the stomach and filled with water. In this way, the stomach volume increases and patients feel the need to eat less. For this reason, patients start to lose weight. The gastric balloon is less invasive than methods such as gastric bypass surgery or gastric botox. Therefore, the recovery time is shorter and there is less risk of complications.
The gastric balloon stays in the stomach, usually for 6 months, and is then removed endoscopically. This method usually does not require anesthesia and takes 20-30 minutes. Although the gastric balloon is an alternative method in the treatment of obesity, it has not yet been approved by the FDA as sufficient clinical trials have not yet been conducted. Furthermore, the long-term effects and potential risks of gastric ballooning are not well known yet. Therefore, you should definitely consult a surgical specialist before deciding on gastric balloon application.
Who is the Gastric Balloon Suitable for?
This method is usually applied for overweight or obese people. These people may try to lose weight through the gastric balloon when classical diet and exercise methods are insufficient. People who decide to undergo gastric ballooning are generally expected to have a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or higher. It should also be taken into account that people are committed to adhering to diet and exercise programs to achieve long-term weight loss and that this method should only be seen as a temporary solution. However, as with any surgical procedure, gastric ballooning may carry some risks. Therefore, you should always consult a surgical specialist before deciding on surgery. Also, before deciding on the gastric balloon procedure, you should provide all the information about your health condition and the surgical specialist will guide you to choose the most appropriate treatment method for you.
Who is not suitable for gastric ballooning?
In particular, the following conditions may prevent the gastric balloon procedure:
– Gastric or Intestinal diseases: For example, people with stomach or intestinal diseases such as gastroesophageal reflux, ulcers, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease cannot have a gastric balloon procedure.
– Stomach or intestinal obstruction: People with gastric or intestinal obstruction cannot have a gastric balloon procedure.
– Pregnancy: People who are pregnant cannot have a gastric balloon procedure.
– Suction disorder: People with a sucking disorder cannot have a gastric balloon procedure.
– Low weight: There is a minimum weight limit for gastric balloon application, people with low weight cannot have a gastric balloon.
– Past surgery: Especially people who have had stomach or intestinal surgery cannot have a gastric balloon procedure.
– Sensitivity: People who are sensitive to botulinum toxin type A (used in gastric balloons) cannot have a gastric balloon procedure.
What Changes After Gastric Balloon?
After gastric balloon application, patients are expected to start losing weight. This weight loss increases the stomach volume, causing patients to feel less need to eat. In addition, this method can also be beneficial in the treatment of other health problems associated with obesity (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea). After the gastric balloon procedure, the volume of the stomach is reduced and therefore the amount of eating is reduced, resulting in weight loss. Also, after gastric ballooning, it is important to follow a diet and exercise program that maintains a healthy lifestyle. These programs are important for maintaining weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. After the gastric balloon procedure, it is necessary to restrict the consumption of certain foods and beverages to reduce stomach volume.