Gastric Balloon in Turkey

Usually gastric balloons have the same mechanism of action. However, they are found in different ways according to features such as the duration of stay in the stomach, whether it is adjustable or not.

Fixed Volume Balloons

Fixed-volume balloons are inflated by 400-600 ml at the first entrance. Its volume does not change as time passes. They remain in the stomach for a maximum of 6 months. At the end of this period, it is removed again. There is no need for any endoscopy for the swallowable gastric balloon (ellipse balloon). At the end of 4 months, the lid on the balloon opens by itself. After that, the balloon is extinguished and expelled from the intestine by itself. As with other procedures, re-endoscopy is not required to remove the balloon.

Adjustable Gastric Balloon

The adjustable gastric balloon is different from the fixed volume gastric balloon. This difference is that when the balloon is in the stomach, its volume can be adjusted according to the need. After balloons of this type are placed in the stomach, 400-500 ml are inflated. In the following process, the fluid amount of the balloon can be increased or decreased according to the weight loss status of the patient.
The insertion of gastric balloons into the stomach outside the Allurion ingestible Ellipse gastric balloon is performed under sedation. Sedation allows you to sleep. But it is not like general anesthesia. You don’t need any equipment to help you breathe. Therefore, you should not confuse it with general anesthesia. The risk is much less in this operation.

Before Gastric Balloon

Before the gastric balloon application applied to all patients in Istanbul, it is important that the patient has a history of stomach surgery in the past, a serious stomach discomfort, alcohol and drug habit or does not use blood thinners. If you smoke and drink alcohol, you should stop temporarily before the operation. In addition, if you are taking blood thinners, you should stop taking these drugs at least ten days before the operation. Inform your doctor about this and follow his recommendations.
It is decided whether you are suitable for the procedure with the tests to be performed before the operation. If everything goes well, the day for the operation is determined.

After Gastric Balloon

Gastric balloon varies from person to person, but remains in the stomach for a maximum of 6 months. During this period, there are issues that people who have gastric balloons should pay attention to. After the gastric balloon is inserted, nausea, vomiting, etc. may occur in people for 72 hours. The stomach has a period of 3 days to get used to the balloon. After 72 hours, the stomach gets used to the balloon and nausea, vomiting, etc. disappear. During this 3-day period, patients are fed only with fluid. In the following days, normal feeding is gradually started.

• Physical activities should not be done in the first 24 hours after the gastric balloon is inserted.
• Cold drinks should start with a teaspoon and increase the amount gradually, but should be drunk in small quantities.
• If liquids are drunk in large quantities, vomiting and nausea are more likely to be experienced.
• After a liquid diet lasting 3 days, solid foods are switched to, but semi-solid foods should be consumed before solid foods.
• Liquids should never be taken during meals. Liquid can be taken at least half an hour after eating.
• Since the capacity of the stomach is reduced, it is necessary to eat little but often. If too much food is eaten, nausea, bloating, vomiting may be experienced.
• It is necessary to eat 6 meals a day, 3 main and 3 intermittent. Meals should be applied regularly, never skipping.
• Protein-based foods should be preferred and a carbohydrate-free, sugar-free and fat-free diet should be switched to.
• It is necessary to eat protein-based nutrition in the main meals. Fruit should be consumed in snacks.
• Food should be eaten rather slowly, and food should be chewed 20-30 times.
• Caffeine intake should be quite minimal. More than 2 cups of coffee a day can cause ulcers. Decaffeinated coffees may be preferred.
• Exercises should be practiced regularly. It is necessary to exercise 3-4 days a week, but light exercises should be preferred. Walking, swimming, cycling are suitable exercises for people who wear gastric balloons. Exercise is very important for these people.