Slimming Gastric Balloon

The slimming gastric balloon can be used to weaken adults who cannot lose weight despite intense diet and exercise programs.

What is a  Gastric Balloon?

In addition to being an aesthetic problem, obesity is mainly a health problem and if left untreated, it causes high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, joint diseases and psychological disorders. Long-term use of drugs used in the treatment of obesity creates problems because of their side effects. The debilitating gastric balloon system (placement of a balloon in the stomach) is an effective method of weight loss that is increasingly preferred in the treatment of obesity.

Thanks to this method, stomach reduction surgeries called bariatric surgery have begun to be abandoned in many justifys. The method can be easily applied by an experienced gastroenterologist using only an endoscope without requiring any surgical intervention.

This method is particularly suitable for patients in whom surgery is at risk due to obesity and other accompanying diseases. Since the gastric balloon occupies space in the stomach, it gives a feeling of early satiety and satiety, causing the patient to consume less food and thus to lose weight.

When adequate weight loss is achieved, usually no longer than 6 months, the balloon is deflated via the endoscope and removed from the stomach. Weight loss after 6 months of follow-up is different for each patient and can range from 15kg to 60kg.

Who is the Slimming Gastric Balloon Suitable for?

The slimming gastric balloon is a method that can be used for a temporary period of time and is used to weaken adults between the ages of 18-55 who cannot lose weight despite intense diet and exercise programs. It is generally not recommended to be used for longer than 6 months. It is not recommended for use in pregnant and lactating mothers. Of course, before the application of the treatment, your gastroenterologist and the internal medicine and/or endocrinology and metabolic diseases specialist who run your weight loss program should reach a consensus on the suitability of this treatment for you.

1- Obese people with a body mass index (BMI-Body Mass Index) of 30-40 and therefore at risk of developing serious medical problems.

2- In type 2 diabetes patients who cannot be treated due to excess weight

3- Patients with BMI above 40 or BMI between 35-40 who cannot tolerate debilitating surgery because they have serious medical problems, or patients who do not want surgical intervention despite having these characteristics

4- It is suitable for use in patients who need surgical treatment for any reason, but cannot be treated due to the surgical risk of obesity and whose body weight needs to be reduced to a level suitable for surgical intervention.

(BMI = Body weight / height2)

For example; In a person with a body weight of 115kg and a height of 1.65m

It is calculated as BMI = 110 / 1.65 x 1.65 = 40.

Who Is Slimming Gastric Balloon Not Suitable For?

It is not recommended to use the slimming gastric balloon for aesthetic slimming and those with BMI < 30. In addition, those with inflammatory and ulcerative diseases of the esophagus and stomach, stenosis, large gastric hernia, those who have undergone previous gastric surgery, pregnant and lactating women, those with psychiatric diseases, alcohol abusers, those who have to use drugs that prevent blood clotting, or those who have a blood clotting disorder. Attenuating gastric balloon cannot be applied in patients.

What are the Side Effects of Slimming Gastric Balloon Application?

Side effects that may occur during balloon application are not different from those that may occur during upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy (Gastroscopy).

In the first days after the balloon is inserted, discomfort and bloating in the upper part of the abdomen, nausea and rarely vomiting may occur, and these complaints usually regress within a few days. However, when vomiting lasts for a long time, the fluid and electrolyte balance of the body may be disturbed, so the patient should be followed under the control of a doctor and the patient should be supported with serum therapy when necessary. Some patients may feel pain when lying on the abdomen or side.

If the balloon in the stomach is not inflated enough or deflated, the balloon may block the stomach outlet and cause nausea and vomiting. Rarely, the deflated balloon may pass from the stomach to the small intestine and cause intestinal obstruction, and surgical intervention is required for the treatment of this condition. Since the balloon is in motion in the stomach, the probability of gastric ulcer formation due to the pressure of the balloon is negligible.

Since the balloon is inflated with sterile water mixed with methylene blue, in case of blue urine, it is understood that the balloon has burst and the balloon is easily removed from the stomach by endoscopy without wasting time. Nowadays, balloons filled with air instead of water are preferred and are better tolerated by the patient.