The question of how much weight can be lost with the gastric balloon in a month is one of the most frequently asked questions that bothers patients, who decide to go for the non-surgical option that became recently popular bariatric surgery. In this article you will learn all the details you need to know about this method used for patients with obesity problems.
Gastric balloons allow the patient to consume less food and lose weight, by taking up space in the stomach, creating a feeling of constant satiety. This method has been developed and easily applied since the 80s, when the first research was started.
Swallowable gastric balloons are used with the endoscopy method and don’t require general anesthesia. Depending on the type of gastric balloon used, it stays in the stomach for 8-12 months and creates a feeling of satiety, thus allowing the person to easily implement the daily diet program. When the person reaches the ideal weight within the specified time, the gastric balloon is removed and the weight loss continues as long as the person already gets used to the diet program.
Gastric balloon is a treatment that helps to lose at least 20 kilos in 4-6 months. It is applied to people with a body mass index over 25 and obesity patients over 30, and the weight loss after the application varies from patient to patient. It mostly depends on patient stomach size and diet, on what type of balloon was applied and the content of the balloon (whether it is in the form of liquid or air). After the balloon is inserted, if the patient obeys all the necessary prescriptions in lifestyle , they can lose on average from 20 up to 25 kilograms per month. After the insertion of the gastric balloon, which will remain in the stomach for 8-12 months.
For the first few days, patients should consume only liquid foods. Then, with the approval of the doctor, it is possible to start with solid food, accompanied by small bites.
Consumption of carbohydrates and spices that can harm the stomach should be limited.
Instead of 3 meals a day, patients should switch to the habit of eating 6 meals a day. Portions should be small. Sugar and junk food should be avoided, also ice cream and similar cold foods that may harm the stomach should be avoided.
After 4 days post treatment, the patient who starts to consume solid food as recommended by the doctor should chew the foods he consumes very well and thus eat less and provide a longer-term feeling of fullness.
After gastric balloon application, meals should be eaten very slowly, liquid should not be taken between meals in order not to expand the stomach and suppress digestion, it is not recommended to drink water or any other fluid 1 hour before and after meals.
Fat-free or low-fat milk and dairy products should be preferred.
At least 10-12 glasses of water should be consumed per day.
In order not to irritate the stomach, vinegar and soy sauce should not be used in salads or other acid sauces.
Bread consumption should be restricted as much as possible.
Ready-made sauces also should not be consumed.
If there are complaints of nausea and vomiting, at least 3 meals of watery food should be consumed and the stomach should not be forced during this period.
What Weight is Ideal for the Gastric Balloon?
There is no weight limit for gastric balloons. The important thing for gastric balloon application is not weight, but body mass index. Gastric balloon is inserted for people with a body mass index over 25 and obesity patients with a body mass index over 30.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for a Swallowable Gastric Balloon?
In cases where the desired excess weight cannot be lost with diet and exercise, people who want to lose weight without surgery are looking for alternative solutions.
A swallowable gastric balloon can be this solution for people with a body mass index of 25 and above. Only before this, the patient should be examined in detail, his eating habits should be examined, whether a person’s current health status is suitable, and the doctor should be informed in detail about the previous surgeries or treatments the patient had in the past.
The difference of the swallowable gastric balloon from other gastric balloons is that it stays in the stomach for 4 months and then dissolves from the body on its own.There are also differences in application of gastric balloons. While permanent balloons are inserted and removed by endoscopy, swallowable gastric balloons are swallowed and inflated, then melted and expelled from the body.
Will Patients Gain Weight After the Gastric Balloon will be Removed?
Whether patients will gain weight after the gastric balloon is removed, depends entirely on how the patient got used to the nutrition and exercise program determined for the next period.
With the removal of the gastric balloon, which provides a feeling of satiety during its stay in the stomach, a feeling of emptiness occurs in the stomach and the urge to eat increases. For this reason, if attention is not paid to the eating pattern, the person naturally may gain weight again.
In order to maintain the weight loss, it is necessary for patients to continue the same healthy diet after the gastric balloon is removed.
Is Gastric Botox and Gastric Balloon the Same Thing?
One thing that confuses people while doing research is whether stomach botox and gastric balloon are the same thing. Both stomach botox and gastric balloon are performed endoscopically, and both methods have a goal to get rid of excess weight in a healthy way and in a short time.
Unlike gastric balloon a, a second endoscopy is not needed in gastric botox treatment. In gastric balloons, a second endoscopy and removal of the balloon is mandatory. Botox does not cause pain or nausea after the application. The patients can easily return to their daily life after the procedure.
The effect time of gastric botox is much shorter than the gastric balloon. While the effect of the gastric balloon can last up to 12 months depending on the balloon used, the effect of gastric botox ends within 6 months.
Is a Gastric Balloon Dangerous?
Lots of patients who are afraid of the gastric balloon think that it may be harmful and that there will be complications after the application. The gastric balloon is a very simple and safe treatment. The risk of complications after the gastric balloon is almost non-existent. However, as in every application, it is very important for gastric balloons to be performed by professional doctors to minimize all possible risks.
What is the Price of a Gastric Balloon?
The prices of gastric balloons vary. There are different types, brands and very different qualities of gastric balloons available in the market nowadays. Gastric balloon prices vary according to the model, the duration of stay and whether it is permanent or melting. The price depends on the method used, the clinic where the procedure was performed and the experience of the doctors who perform the surgery.
Due to the prohibition of price sharing on the internet for gastric balloon treatments by the Ministry of Health, people who are interested in this procedure should go to professional doctors and clinics to be examined and then get the appropriate price which depends on the quality and characteristics of the gastric balloon to be used.
When Do Side Effects After Gastric Balloon Placement Go Away?
People who have to quickly return to their daily life are wondering about the side effects of the gastric balloon and the duration of these side effects. It takes approximately 3 days for the patient’s body to get used to the gastric balloon. During this period, the patient gets used to the balloon by consuming mostly liquid, mild side effects such as vomiting and nausea are minimized this way. After this periode patient may return to solid food consumption.
What Happens If the Gastric Balloon Bursts?
May the gastric balloon explode? First of all, after the gastric balloon procedures, which are applied by specialist doctors, there is no such thing as bursting in the gastric balloon.
In very rare cases, bursts of the gastric balloon may happen to patients who do not eat only as recommended by the doctor, frequently consume prohibited food that increases stomach acid. In order to prevent this risk, it is very important that the application is carried out by experts and that the patient strictly follows the diet prescription after the balloon is placed.
What is Inside the Gastric Balloon?
Although the material in the gastric balloon varies according to the characteristics of the gastric balloon, it is generally a flexible material made of silicone or polyurethane material in a size that is adjusted by filling it with serum.
How Should the Gastric Balloon be Removed?
The answer to the question of how the gastric balloon should be to be removed is – by the endoscopic method (the same way as it was inserted)
First of all, the air and serum in the gastric balloon, which is placed in the stomach of the patient with the help of endoscopy and remains in the stomach for 4-8-12 months can be emptied with the help of medical instruments. Then, this deflated balloon is removed from the patient’s mouth with the help of devices that are lowered into the stomach by endoscopic method.
A swallowable gastric balloon does not have to be removed. It dissolves on its own and is removed naturally from the body through the intestines.
How Should a Gastric Balloon be Inserted?
For Permanent Gastric Balloon
The patient should remain hungry for at least 8-10 hours before the procedure.
The procedure will be performed on an empty stomach with sedation (sleep for about 15 minutes), the patient won’t feel any pain or pain during the gastric balloon application.
The gastric balloon will be placed inside the stomach with the help of an endoscope. In the meantime, an endoscope, which is a light and small camera, is used to help the doctor apply baloon more comfortably and helps see the inner structure of the stomach more clearly. A detailed endoscopic examination is also performed during the gastric balloon placement application.
If there is no discomfort such as stomach ulcer, gastritis or reflux that will risk the gastric balloon application, the placement of the gastric balloon in the stomach can be completed easily.
The balloon is deflated while being ingested. While the balloon is in the stomach, the inflation process is done by means of a physiological serum with a blue dye. If there is any leakage or hole in the balloon thanks to the dye added to the physiological serum, the patient can notice this in his urine or large toilet after the application and contact his doctor. Thus, most of the possible complications are avoided.
After the balloon is placed in the patient’s stomach, it is inflated to 500 cc volume. This whole process takes a maximum of 15 minutes.
After the procedure, the patient is awakened and can be transferred to the room for 1.5-2 hours. As soon as the patient feels well, he can be discharged and continue his daily life.
Melting Gastric Balloon (Dissolving gastric balloon)
Endoscopy is not required for the dissolving gastric balloon. Therefore, it is easy to install. A balloon in the form of a pill is swallowed, and during this time, the descent into the stomach is observed with the imaging method called scopy. After placement, it is inflated and the process is finished after making sure that it is in the correct position. Subsequent processes are the same in all gastric balloons.
When Does Nausea Go Away After Gastric Balloon Placement?
It is quite normal to have mild nausea and vomiting for 3 days, which is the time for the stomach to get used to the balloon. In this process, the patient tries not to force the stomach by feeding only with liquid meals. Then, with the 4th day, solid nutrition can be started and the complaint of nausea completely disappears.
How is the Gastric Balloon Removed?
After the weight loss process is completed and the time determined from the beginning of the gastric balloon has expired, permanent gastric balloons should be removed by endoscopy.
In the dissolving gastric balloon, the balloon does not need to be removed. When the 4-month process is completed, it melts open and the shrinking balloon is expelled from the body through the intestines.
