The gastric balloon procedure includes introducing a medical balloon made out of undegradable silicon endoscopically into the stomach. The balloon helps in restraining hunger and takes up space in the stomach which allows the person to feel full quicker.
Who can have the Gastric Balloon procedure?
The procedure is allowed for those of ages 18-55 with a body-mass index above 27, specifically for those who cannot benefit from following diets.
The procedure can be dangerous for certain individuals such as those that have removed a part of their stomach and those with a severe stomach ulcer or significant gastric hernia.
Side effects for the Gastric Balloon procedure
Some might experience symptoms such as nausea and vomiting in the first week following the operation. Generally, there are no side effects that damage the health of the individual or affect their daily life. But if patients complain about abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting for longer than a week, it might necessitate, even though rarely, the removal of the balloon because the stomach would be refusing it.
Does the Gastric Balloon procedure leave stitch scars?
The balloon is inserted into the stomach through the mouth without the making of any incisions so there won’t be any kind of scars.
What is the Gastric Balloon inflated with? And does the balloon ever burst?
A blue-colored liquid is used to inflate the balloon, which is used to indicate if the balloon is leaking by turning the urine blue. The balloon will most likely not burst as it is made out of high quality material and it goes through tests before being applied. The worst that can happen is that it can leak.
How many days does a patient need to stay in the hospital after the procedure?
The gastric balloon procedure takes only about 15 minutes to complete, after which it is advised to stay for 1 or 2 hours in the hospital. Patients can continue with their daily lives after that.
Is following a diet after the procedure necessary?
Patients must follow a diet for 10 days after the procedure and a healthy nutrition system is provided after that.
Results by Before After photos From Op. Dr. Metin Yuksel Kerimoglu
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How long does the Gastric Balloon survive for in the stomach?
The period for how long the Gastric Balloon has to stay in the stomach for is decided before-hand by both the doctor and the patient. After choosing which is suitable, the doctor follows up carefully with the patient to make sure that they are losing weight. The balloon can stay either 3, 6 or 12 months depending on the type.
How effective is the gastric balloon in losing weight?
The most important thing after the procedure is not to overeat and try to commit to the diet as much as possible. This commitment determines how effective the outcome of the procedure will be and so it is important to be mentally prepared and maybe even have professional psychological help for a smoother and more accepting process.