Gastric Balloon

Unlike gastric banding and gastric reduction, the gastric balloon is a non-surgical treatment to reduce severe obesity. One type is a so-called swallow balloon. The patient swallows a capsule about three centimetres long, into which the doctor then fills about 250 millilitres of non-toxic inert gas through a tube. The tube is then removed.

In variant two, the intra gastric balloon is inserted during a gastroscopy. The physician uses a gastroscope to place the balloon in the stomach through the esophagus. Using the video optics of The gastroscope, the doctor can see whether the stomach lining is healthy and therefore suitable for a gastric balloon. The balloon is then filled with 500 to 700 millilitres of saline solution through the gastroscope. The saline is usually mixed with a special blue dye to check via urine whether the balloon is tight.

The procedure itself is performed on an outpatient basis and after sedation. It usually takes between twenty and thirty minutes. Afterwards, the patient remains in the clinic for one to two hours for monitoring. Some patients suffer from nausea and vomiting after balloon insertion. They receive saline intravenously. Therefore, a short hospital stay may be required for these patients.

The filled balloon occupies a large part of the stomach. The patient feels full faster because the capacity of the stomach is reduced. A gastric balloon can remain in the body for up to twelve months. After that, the gastric balloon is removed by gastroscope in Turkey to prevent damage to the stomach lining. How long the balloon remains in the stomach also determines the weight loss success. An average of 15 – 20 kg is the rule. A 12-month treatment increases the weight loss success compared to a 6-month treatment.

With a one-year balloon, about 30 kg – with very motivated patients even up to 50 kg – weight loss is possible. The patient must be aware that a gastric balloon is only useful if one wants to change one’s lifestyle habits. That means eating healthier and exercising more. After all, once the balloon is removed again, one can theoretically eat just as much as before and quickly gain weight again. For this reason, patients should opt for multimodal gastric balloon therapy, which includes parallel systematic nutritional counselling, appropriate exercise training, and behavioural and motivational coaching. These measures increase the likelihood of achieving the desired weight loss success.

Nausea may occur during the first few days after the gastric balloon is placed. Stomach pain may also occur, but after a few days, patients will have become accustomed to the foreign part in the stomach. Patients with a gastric balloon need to be aware that they are at increased risk for stomach ulcers. Improper diet can also lead to a fluid deficit with disturbances in salt balance. If a fluid-filled gastric balloon bursts, which the affected person notices immediately by the blue colouration of his urine, it must be removed immediately by endoscopy. This prevents the balloon remnant from escaping before it can provoke an intestinal obstruction. Difficulties may also arise in sedating overweight patients. In addition to the usual risks of anaesthesia, in rare cases gastric juice is inhaled into the trachea and lungs, which can lead to pneumonia.

Advantages

• Weight loss without surgery.
•  None or only temporary side effects.
• With a healthy lifestyle, the new weight can be maintained.
• No surgery -only a short recovery time is needed.

Disadvantages

• Taking stomach acid inhibitors while the gastric balloon is in the stomach.
• After the intra gastric balloon is placed, there may be brief discomfort.