In cases where diet and exercise do not yield results in obese patients or when rapid weight loss is necessary for health reasons, surgical and non-surgical treatment options are utilized. Gastric balloon is one of the non-surgical methods for gastric reduction. Gastric balloon is widely preferred by patients and experts in recent years due to its ability to assist in rapid weight loss and its non-surgical application.
The World Health Organization defines obesity as the excessive accumulation of fat in the body. According to the criteria of the World Health Organization, obesity can be defined when the body mass index is above 30. It is well known that there are many health problems associated with the global epidemic of obesity. These include serious health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and hypertension. Therefore, obesity needs to be treated not only for aesthetic purposes but also for a healthy life. Nowadays, there are many surgical and non-surgical options available for the treatment of obesity. The decision regarding which treatment to apply to an obese patient is made by considering factors such as the patient's height, weight, age, and general health condition under the supervision of an expert doctor. Gastric balloon is one of the commonly preferred non-surgical treatment methods for obesity. The main purpose of gastric balloon treatment is to reduce the amount of food consumed in a single meal and provide a long-lasting feeling of fullness. Gastric balloons are silicone devices that are inserted into the stomach and can remain there for a certain period of time. The gastric balloon procedure involves placing a deflated balloon into the stomach and then inflating it with saline or a biocompatible and approved blue dye. The inflated balloon occupies more than half of the stomach. The amount of inflation is determined during the procedure, considering that everyone's stomach structure and anatomy are not the same. The endoscopic gastric balloon procedure takes approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Before the gastric balloon is placed in the stomach, the patient undergoes a detailed evaluation by expert doctors. The patient's general health condition is examined, and any other stomach-related health problems are assessed through endoscopic imaging techniques. If any other health problems such as reflux, gastritis, or ulcers are detected during this examination, the existing health issue is treated first. Afterward, the gastric balloon can be placed. During the gastric balloon placement procedure, general anesthesia is not required. The patient is under sedation while the balloon is being placed. The patient does not experience any pain or discomfort during the procedure. Currently, gastric balloon can be placed in the stomach through two different methods:
During the endoscopic gastric balloon procedure, sedation is administered to make the patient more comfortable. Since the procedure is performed using an endoscopic technique, the patient is advised not to eat or drink anything for a certain period of time before the procedure. The necessary preparations before the procedure are explained to the patient. During the balloon placement stage, an endoscope, which is a thin and flexible tube with a camera at the tip, is inserted into the stomach, and the balloon is placed in the stomach. Then, the balloon is inflated with saline or a completely compatible and health authority-approved blue dye. The inflated balloon occupies approximately more than half of the stomach. Since everyone's stomach structure and anatomy are not the same, the decision on how much to inflate the balloon is made during the procedure. The endoscopic gastric balloon procedure is completed within approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour.
While endoscopic gastric balloon treatment has been successfully applied for many years, swallowable gastric balloon or elipse gastric balloon procedures have gained prominence as alternative methods due to the lack of sedation during the procedure and the absence of endoscopic assistance. In the swallowable gastric balloon procedure, the patient swallows a capsule-shaped balloon attached to a thin wire in an uninflated state with plenty of water. For patients who have difficulty swallowing the balloon, the doctor can assist the patient in swallowing the balloon using a thin guide wire. Once the balloon reaches the stomach, the doctor verifies its correct placement through imaging methods such as X-rays. An apparatus resembling a thin wire at the end of the balloon allows for inflation of the balloon. The doctor ensures that the balloon is correctly positioned and proceeds to inflate the balloon using approximately 500 mL of water containing potassium sorbate. After inflating the balloon to the desired extent, the final position is rechecked. Following thorough checks, the apparatus at the end of the balloon is carefully removed by the expert doctor. The swallowable gastric balloon procedure takes approximately 20 minutes. Since no anesthesia is administered during the procedure, the patient can return to their daily life shortly afterward. The swallowable gastric balloon has a leak-proof and soluble valve. Approximately 4 months later, the valve dissolves, the fluid inside the balloon is emptied, and the deflated balloon passes through the intestines and is excreted from the body. Due to the absence of anesthesia and endoscopy during placement and removal, the swallowable gastric balloon is one of the preferred methods for patients who have been unsuccessful in losing weight through diet and exercise.
Not every overweight or obese patient is suitable for a gastric balloon. So, who can undergo gastric balloon treatment? The body mass index of the patient is crucial for gastric balloon treatment. For individuals with a body mass index below 30 or above 40, alternative treatment options may need to be considered. Additionally, individuals who do not meet these criteria but need to lose weight quickly due to health issues such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases may be eligible for gastric balloon treatment based on the doctor's discretion.
Gastric balloons are made of materials that can remain in the body for 6 to 12 months. Gastric balloon prices vary depending on factors such as the type of balloon used in the procedure and the duration it remains in the body.
Non-surgical gastric reduction methods aim to reduce the volume of the stomach without any incisions or stitches, assisting patients in rapid weight loss. Methods such as swallowable gastric balloon are among the non-surgical gastric reduction methods preferred for the treatment of obesity. Non-surgical gastric reduction methods, including gastric balloon, are successfully performed by experienced and specialized physicians in our hospitals. If you want to lose weight, you can visit our obesity clinics to undergo a thorough examination to determine your suitability for the procedure and to receive information and make an appointment.
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