What is a Six-month Stomach Balloon

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Gastric Balloon (Stomach Ballon) is a silicone balloon placed in the stomach with the help of endoscopy, which is aspplied to individuals with obesity problems and to the patients who are overweight but without the indication for weight loss surgery, that is, who are not suitable for surgery. Patients who are suitable for gastric balloon are i the individuals with a body mass index between 26 and 35, however, patients with very high body mass index such as 50 or 60 can choose the gastric balloon procedure to reduce their weight until the planned bariatric surgery procedure so that to make the surgery safer.

Gastric balloon is an option for patients who refrain from obesity surgery for various reasons. Although the gastric balloon procedure is painless, stomach cramps may be observed for a few days after the gastric balloon is placed, some physicians prefer to hospitalize patients in the first night and give intravenous cramp and nausea preventing medications. Since the gastric balloon will basically occupy a volume of about 500-700 ml in the stomach, it allows early satiety by leaving less room for meals in the stomach and thus restricts calorie intake. The meal portions of people who have  a stomach balloon should be small, low in carbohydrates and rich in fiber and protein, people who consume large portions may experience nausea or even vomiting. Since the gastric balloon  (stomach balloon) also creates tension in the stomach wall, the nerve called the vagus sends the signal to brain  telling that the stomach is full, which also provides a feeling of satiety.  A weight loss of 15-20% of the initial total body weight is planned with a six-month fluid filled balloon. Gastric balloons can be of many types, all of them have different duration and properties in the stomach.

It is necessary to be in the overweight or obesity group to have a gastric balloon, procedure. Gastric balloon is considered as a weight loss treatment, not an aesthetic method, so those with a body mass index of 26 and above who can not lose weight with regular diet and exercise programs can chose gastric balloon procedure. Gastric balloon is a treatment that should always be considered together with diet and exercise, that is, it is necessary for a person to make changes in eating and lifestyle habits. In order for the balloon to maximize its effect, your physician or dietician will help you in this regard.

In our clinic we use a fluid filled six month balloon. It is placed in the stomach by endoscopical technic and under deep sedation. Placement of the ballon takes around fifteen minutes and is painless. However after 6 hours, the stomach realises the balloon as a foreign body and this may cause cramps and nausea. As World Obesity Center we always recommend one night hospital stay after any kind of stomach balloon procedure to avoid the possible abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting.

After its expiry date 6 moths stomach balloon is removed again with the help of endoscopy under anesthesia. Stomach balloon removal is totally painless and needs only couple of hours hospitalisation, then the patient can leave.