Gastric Balloon
Obesity; Although it is ignored by some of us, it is a health problem that lies in the background of most of the common diseases. Intervening in this problem is of vital importance, for which it is possible to benefit from the advanced instruments of modern medicine. Obesity surgery, or as it is popularly known, weight loss surgery or stomach reduction surgery, is the general name for the tools used in the treatment of obesity. Gastric Balloon or as its medical name is Intragastric balloon; This is one of the surgical applications and one of the new generation effective types.
Gastric balloon operation; It is an operation with low complications that allows the patient to lose weight effectively in a short time, and studies have revealed positive reports that patients lose weight.
Obesity; It can cause many health problems, including cancer. Available data and clinical research show that instead of fighting the diseases caused by obesity, it is a much more effective method to solve the problem at its source by fighting obesity.
Since it is accepted that people face serious health risks at the level where the need for obesity surgery arises, it is imperative to choose all the necessary applications for the treatment of this health problem. Of course, the physician decides which application will be performed and how, and the necessary protocols are preferred in the light of medical protocols.
What is a Gastric Balloon?
Gastric balloon; It is a synthetic implant shaped like a balloon. This device, which is lowered into the stomach endoscopically, can be filled with liquid or air. This application, which is based on the principle of reducing the capacity of the stomach by creating an indigestible space within it, rather than reducing the volume of the stomach, can be used for a period of six months or a year and is removed at the end of the period in the same way it was inserted.
The gastric balloon is produced from a synthetic (silicone) material and has very high strength. This vehicle comes in a liquid-filled type and an air-filled type. Both types can be preferred. Balloons, which have a volume of approximately 700cc and can be adjusted at intervals, remain in the stomach for a year and usually do not cause any complications. Rarely, leakage may occur, in which case the problem is eliminated by endoscopic balloon removal.
History of Gastric Balloon Surgery
Gastric balloon; It entered our lives as a weight loss tool approved by the American Food Administration (FDA) in 1985. This application began to be practiced as a medical practice in 1987 and 1988, and in 1992 it was opened to discussion due to some side effects. The method, whose development processes were completed in 2015 and received a license from the American Medical Device and Drug Administration in its current application form, is currently used as a medical protocol in almost every country in the world. In fact, the country where balloons are produced most intensively is France, a European country.
How is Gastric Balloon Surgery Performed?
The balloon is applied endoscopically, that is, without surgery. Since the patient is put to sleep with anesthesia, he does not feel anything during the procedure and the procedure is completed in approximately 15 minutes. Before applying the balloon, the esophagus, stomach and duodenum are evaluated endoscopically and it is determined whether there is any obstacle to the application of the balloon. In patients with no obstruction, after the endoscope is removed, the balloon is sent to the stomach through the mouth and esophagus via special apparatus. Then, after endoscopy is performed again and the location of the balloon in the stomach is clarified, physiological saline dyed with methylene blue is injected into the balloon using special endoscopic apparatus and the balloon is inflated. First of all, 400 cc of physiological saline is given, which can be increased over time according to the patient's tolerability, and all these procedures are performed endoscopically. After the procedure, the patient wakes up immediately and is discharged home after staying in the hospital for approximately 1-2 hours.
Gastric balloon application is performed by the physician in a clinical setting. There is no other form of this application. Additionally, the application is not made available to everyone who requests it. For this, a preliminary examination and, if necessary, detailed consultation may be requested. Therefore, before choosing a treatment, it is best to contact the physician and ask for the most suitable treatment type for you. The physician will determine the necessary procedure for you and will be able to perform it in a healthy way. It should not be forgotten that all medical procedures are the decision, authority and responsibility of physicians. Moreover, physicians make decisions and take action based on universal medical protocols.
How to lose weight with a gastric balloon?
Gastric balloon is not a weight loss drug or a tool that accelerates energy burning. This device prevents the person from consuming too much food by reducing the food storage capacity of the stomach. Since the person does not require any incision or similar in the stomach, it is possible for the person to return to his normal life in a short time and thus immediately reach the calorie burning level required by his daily life. However, unlike other weight loss surgeries, gastric balloon is a type of operation with fewer exercise restrictions. In this way, it is possible for the person to do certain sports, and the weight loss process can be accelerated depending on the situation.
However, it is very difficult to talk about a spontaneous weight loss process after the gastric balloon procedure. Although the amount of food a person consumes at a time decreases, if the total daily calorie intake is not reduced and the types of food consumed are not suitable for the diet to be applied by the physician, the result may be lower than expected.
After the procedure, it is mandatory for the person to complete daily exercises and consume appropriate foods at appropriate meals. Only in this way will it be possible to achieve success in this operation, as in all obesity surgery operations. In addition, regular doctor and dietician visits are necessary for the process to continue smoothly.
To whom can it be applied?
- Patients with a BMI of 30 and above or who are 15-20 kilos overweight
- Patients who fail despite many diet and exercise programs
- Obese patients for whom surgical treatment is risky
- Patients aged over 18 and younger than 60
To whom can it not be applied?
- Alcohol and substance addicts
- Patients who are pregnant and planning pregnancy
- People with serious heart, kidney, liver and lung disease
- Patients who have had previous esophagus and stomach surgery
- Patients who have to constantly use blood thinners
- Patients with hiatal hernia, reflux and related esophageal burns
- Patients with gastrointestinal ulcers
What ages is it suitable for?
The gastric balloon procedure is suitable for adults. The age limit here is 18-60 years of age. However, depending on the situation, the age limit can be relaxed from 16 to 75. As we stated in the headings "Who can or cannot undergo gastric balloon procedure?", reasonable changes can be made in age groups, taking into account the status of obesity and its effects on the person.
Obesity surgery is not commonly preferred for early ages. While diets must be applied extremely carefully for children in their developmental age, performing such an operation can be considered a risk. However, if obesity becomes greater than other risks, the age limit of this application can be lowered slightly by making detailed analysis.
Since nutrition is extremely important in older ages, stretching the age limit is a decision that can be made through analysis. Certain stretches may be possible if the doctor approves the suitability and there are no problems with other factors.
What are the advantages?
The main advantage of the gastric balloon procedure is that it is easier than other obesity surgery operations and carries less risk of complications for the patient. The application is performed endoscopically and can be reversed at any time. In this regard, immediate intervention is possible in case of a side effect. Since it is not a permanent implant, it does not have any effect on the body, it only remains in the stomach during the weight loss process and does not cause any effect. It is a more suitable solution for those with stomach diseases, the effects at this point can be more easily controlled.
Of course, the most important feature of the gastric balloon procedure is that it is more economical than most other applications. The operation is completed within minutes and the patient can return to his/her life in a very short time, and may incur less costs for this procedure.
What are the risks and complications?
Although very rare, bleeding and perforation in the esophagus and stomach may occur while the balloon is placed. At first, stomach discomfort, nausea and/or vomiting may occur. Such conditions are controlled with medications given either orally or intravenously, and over time the patient adapts to the balloon. Again, in the first weeks, fatigue and weakness may occur due to decreased daily fluid intake. When the balloon bursts, it escapes from the intestines and may cause an intestinal obstruction that requires surgery.
Gastric balloon burst is very rare. When it bursts, the blue water inside mixes with the intestinal system and dyes the urine blue. In this case, the patient expels the balloon normally or the balloon is removed without surgery by entering the stomach with an endoscope.
Although it is known that the complication rate is quite low, if an unexpected effect occurs after this application, a doctor should be consulted without delay. The emergence of an unusual situation other than the one specified by the physician may indicate a different problem or may be a side effect related to the operation. The problem can be solved if you consult a doctor.
Post-procedure recovery process, post-operative nutrition
After the gastric balloon procedure, the feeding period is subject to special conditions for the first few days. The patient should not overexert his/her stomach during the first week when complications are likely to occur. Since spasms may occur while the balloon is settling in the stomach, liquid nutrition is a more appropriate approach in the first 3 days. Over time, the diet may gradually return to normal.
The most important element here is that the person should not try to eat the same amount as before having the balloon inserted. For example; If you consume 500g of food at each meal before the balloon, you should eat with the awareness that this should decrease after the balloon. If you do not reduce the amount of food you consume at one time and choose to eat the same amount, serious complications may occur because the balloon will not allow this. Since your stomach cannot absorb the previous amount of nutrients, excessive bloating may occur. If this situation continues, this treatment will become ineffective, which means you will not be able to lose weight.
It will be necessary to pay close attention to food consumption after this period. Excessive fatty foods, carbohydrate-rich foods and acidic drinks should be consumed carefully for a certain period of time. In addition, since you will be following a diet during the weight loss process, your eating regime should already be under control.
You must strictly follow the plan prepared for you by your doctor and/or dietitian. This system is a component of the process and should not be disrupted. With a correct diet and taking this supportive treatment, you can lose weight in a healthy way within the planned period. It should not be forgotten that all obesity surgery operations enable you to lose weight at the end of a process, and a conscious and systematic diet has an important place in this process.
Recommended exercises for those who have Gastric Balloon insertion
The exercises to be performed after the gastric balloon procedure are similar to other obesity surgery operations. However, the person who has a gastric balloon insertion should be careful not to forget that there is an implant in the stomach. You should avoid any sport that will impact your stomach and be careful when doing weight-bearing sports during the practice period.
However, this does not mean that you should not do sports. On the contrary, sports, at least regular exercise and physical education, are extremely important in the weight loss process. You should do your exercises appropriately and avoid heavy sports, preferring non-heavy sports, especially brisk walking.
Doing heavy sports at a time when you are still fighting obesity with the desire to lose weight as soon as possible poses a risk not only for the balloon in the stomach, but also for other functions of your body. For this reason, do not exercise without getting approval from your doctor about the sports you will do. At this point, the decision maker is not any gym trainer, but the doctor and dietician. You need to follow this rule, as doing sports without getting confirmation of what your current condition may lead to can be extremely dangerous.
If you exercise appropriately and eat right, you can lose weight with this method. Never abandon medical protocols to achieve a healthy process under the control of your physician.
Source:
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