How to Insert a Gastric Balloon?

There is two main types of Gastric balloon. Endoscopic and swallowable gastric balloons.
 Endoscopic gastric balloons, inserted with endoscopy under direct vision, under mild anesthetics at endoscopy unit. While you sleep, your doctor first evaluates your stomach with an endoscope and, if there is no counter indication, simultaneously places your gastric balloon into your stomach with the help of the endoscope. The procedure takes about 15 minutes and you will not feel pain or discomfort because of general anesthetics. There is endoscopic gastric balloon for 6 months and 12 months. Also 12 months gastric balloons has rearrangeable version, which allows us to inflate and deflate after a period of time of insertion.
Swallowable Gastric Balloon (Elipse Gastric Balloon) can be easily swallowed with a cup of water under your doctors supervision. Anesthesia and endoscopy are not required for this procedure. The location of the capsule-shaped balloon in the stomach is checked by x-ray after you swallow it. When it reaches the appropriate place, it is inflated with special fluid and checked again with x-ray. Then the guide for inflation is removed. 

How Gastric Balloon will be Removed?

Endoscopic gastric balloons should be removed before their due date (6 or 12 months). These balloons also will be removed via endoscopy. In endoscopy unit, under mild anesthetics, while you will be sleeping gastric balloon will be popped and removed easily with endoscope. This is also an out patient procedure.
Swallowable gastric stays around 4 months in your stomach and it will be dissolved by and will be removed itself.

Can I have gastric balloon with my weight?

If your body mass index is over 27 or you have chronicle illnesses related with your weight, you can be a candidate for gastric balloon. If you have any counter indications such as stomach ulcers, stomach surgery, using blood thinners, allergy against anti acid medication or presence of significant hiatal hernia you may not have a gastric balloon. It is important that, these conditions should be ruled out before your gastric balloon intervention.

Can I Gain Weight After Gastric Balloon Removal?

Our aim is to make you lose weight fast and in a healthy way. This can only be done with a good follow up with bariatric team and healthy life style changes. So we are strongly recommending to use the time efficiently for your weight loss treatment. After gastric balloon removal you will continue to lose an amount weight for 2-3 months. As long as you will have your new healthy lifestyle, it will be easier for you to maintain your weight. It is important not to forget that; there is no weight loss method which we can use as a magic bullet. If you are not careful about this, you may gain weight again after all methods.

Is There a Risk in Gastric Balloon?

The risks of gastric balloon are quite low. As with every endoscopic procedure, there are risks such as irritation in stomach, bleeding, perforation, adverse interaction and allergies against medications. But these risks are quite low.

Are There Any Harms and Side Effects of Gastric Balloon?

There is an accommodation period after gastric balloon insertion. This is around 3-7 days. During this accommodation period patients may have complaints such as; nausea and vomiting. Apart from this, side effects that will affect your daily life and health are unlikely. Rarely, some patients may ask for balloon removal because of complaints. This situation is called intolerance of gastric balloon and it is rare.

Will there be scars when a gastric balloon is inserted?

Gastric balloon application is a non- surgical intervention. Which is done with using naturel orifice and an endoscope. Gastric balloon is inserted into the stomach via mouth in a capsule form and will be inflated in stomach. So there are no scars or wounds.

When Will I Lose Weight After Gastric Balloon Application?

Gastric balloon is a good kick start for weight loss. But main factors that determine your weight are; your nutrition, physical activity and metabolical rate. Weight loss with gastric balloon starts at same day of treatment. Some of our patients loses 4-10 lbs (2-5 kg) in first week after gastric balloon insertion.

How Much Weight Can I Lose with Gastric Balloon for Weight Loss?

Patients with intra gastric balloon can lose up to 12-40% of their body weight This amount of weight loss is related with your eating habits, physical activity, your excess weight and your metabolic rate.

How Effective Is Gastric Balloon for weight loss?

Intra gastric balloon has been used world wide over 35 years for weight loss, because of it is highly effective. When patients lose their excessive weight, illnesses related with excess weight are relieved. Also weight loss with gastric balloon brings positive psychological outcomes.
Because of gastric balloons effect on rapid and healthy weight loss outcomes; it has been named as bride maids diet.

Frequently asked Questions

What Should People Pay Attention to After Gastric Balloon?

There is an accommodation time after gastric balloon. Your stomach will slowly be adapted to it. Be in touch with your bariatric team, take your medications on time and go for a follow up visit to your Doctor.

How Many Days Do I Need to Stay in the Hospital After a Gastric Balloon Insertion?

The gastric balloon procedure takes approximately 15 minutes and you will leave the hospital after 1 hour. Intra gastric balloon insertion is an outpatient procedure that does not require hospitalization.

What is the Gastric Balloon Inflated With?

The gastric balloon is inflated with a special liquid. Swallowable balloon has its own liquid solution. Endoscopic gastric balloons are filled with IV fluids mixed with a blue medical dye.The feature of this liquid is to warn you if there is a leak in the balloon by dyeing your urine blueish green color.

I can’t Follow Diet Plans, Can I Lose Weight with Gastric Balloon?

Gastric Balloons makes dieting easy. This is because of the effect gastric balloon providing early satiety. Yes you can lose weight with gastric balloons, but we are expecting your cooperation with nutrition and physical activity.
We are following you with our bariatric team, especially with our bariatric nutritionist. Which makes your weight loss easier and more comfortable for you.