Gastric balloon is an alternative to obesity surgery in patients who are overweight and are not suitable for surgery.
In some cases, they are used in the preparation process of super obese patients by losing weight until the surgery.
Most patients can lose 15-35% of their total body weight, depending on their initial weight.
How is a gastric balloon inserted?
It is not a surgical method. The procedure is performed under anesthesia and under endoscopy after the patient is completely asleep. First of all, the inner surface of the stomach is examined to see if there is any obstacle to balloon insertion. After it is seen that there is no obstacle to balloon insertion, the balloon is placed with the help of the endoscope and inflated with a certain amount of air or blue dyed liquid, depending on the characteristics of the balloon. There are various types of balloons that serve the same purpose, depending on the length of stay in the stomach and the ability to adjust the amount of liquid in the balloon. Your doctor who will perform the procedure will inform you in detail about this. You should stop eating 12 hours before the procedure and stopping fluid intake 6 hours before. It is extremely important to comply with this as nausea may occur after the balloon is inflated. The process takes approximately 15-20 minutes. After the procedure, you will be under observation for 1-2 hours and then you can go home. Since this procedure will be performed under anesthesia, you cannot drive that day afterwards. Weight loss can be achieved with a gastric balloon, although not as effective as surgical methods.
Advantages

It is not a surgical procedure
Placed easily and quickly
If combined with diet and exercise, it can provide effective long-term weight loss.
Up to 30% of excess weight can be lost with a gastric balloon.

Disadvantages

Some patients may not tolerate the balloon. Nausea and vomiting attacks and stomach cramps may be problems in the first days.
It can cause acid reflux, so patients must use stomach acid-reducing medication for a long time.
It can stay in the stomach for up to a year. It must be removed afterwards
There is a risk of regaining the weight lost after the balloon comes out.

How does a gastric balloon work?

It helps you feel full by eating less by covering a certain part of the internal volume of your stomach. You cannot eat the maximum amount you could eat in one sitting after the balloon is inserted.
Another benefit of the gastric balloon is that it slows down the passage of food through the stomach, helping you feel full for longer.

How long can the balloon stay in my stomach?
The gastric balloon is designed to remain in the stomach for 6 months. Some balloons can stay up to 1 year. Then, under anesthesia, the balloon is deflated and removed with the help of endoscopy.
How much weight can I lose with a balloon?
Although this depends on you, you can lose between 15-25 kg with a balloon. The amount you lose depends on your starting weight and your ability to follow and maintain your diet and exercise regimen. After the gastric balloon is removed, it is mandatory to maintain a certain diet and exercise regime to avoid gaining weight again.
Studies have shown that an average of 15-35% of the total body weight can be lost with a balloon.
You may feel a little uncomfortable in the first days after the balloon is inserted. Some patients may feel nauseated after eating. Sometimes vomiting may also occur. These complaints gradually decrease in the first week of balloon insertion and disappear from the second week onwards. While there is no feeling of hunger in the first week, the feeling of hunger returns gradually in the second week, but satiety is felt with less food. Between 3-6 weeks, your stomach will fully adapt to the balloon and you will be able to consume more food. In this process, you should try to correct your eating habits. Meals should be eaten slowly and you should stop eating as soon as you feel full. During the adaptation period, symptoms such as nausea and hiccups after meals may occur. This indicates that you are eating excessively or quickly. In order for weight loss to continue in the following weeks, lifestyle should be changed and exercise and proper eating habits should be made indispensable in our lives.