Gastric Balloon
What is Gastric Balloon and how is it performed?
The gastric balloon is a non-surgical method for helping with weight loss. It involves inserting a soft, inflatable balloon made of medical-grade silicone into the stomach through the mouth, without the need for surgery. Once inside the stomach, the balloon is filled with fluid, reducing appetite and prolonging the feeling of fullness by occupying space.
Some gastric balloons are inserted using an endoscopy, where the doctor uses a flexible tube with a camera to access the stomach through the mouth and esophagus. Other gastric balloons come in a capsule that can be swallowed and inflated, eliminating the need for a procedure.
The Package Includes:
- General Surgeon fees
- Pre-op consultation with anesthesiologist,
- Same day surgery Room Charges
- Medical equipment and supplies for the procedure and procedure-related medications
- E-consultation with the surgeon in the post-up period in the home country
Which types of balloons are used?
First type of baloon is the Intragastric Balloon System which is inserted into the stomach using a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure. That procedures take approximately 30 minutes. Morveover, it is performed on an outpatient basis with mild sedation. After placement, the balloon is filled with a sterile solution, partially occupying the stomach to create a sense of fullness.
Second type of balloon is called the Allurion Balloon, formerly known as Elipse®, and it is a gentle, polyurethane balloon that is enclosed in a small capsule and can be swallowed. It is connected to a thin tube called a filling catheter. Once confirmed to be in the correct position, the balloon is filled with 550mL of fluid through the filling catheter, expanding to the size of a grapefruit. After around 16 weeks, the Allurion Balloon is designed to automatically deflate on its own, and the deflated balloon is naturally passed through the digestive system and excreted in the toilet.
How is the preparation and the recovery period after the procedure?
Prior to inserting the intragastric balloon, it is necessary to abstain from consuming food or beverages for a period of 12 hours. When it is time to remove the gastric balloon, you should switch to a diet consisting of only fluids for 48 hours beforehand, eliminating all solid food from your intake. Consuming fizzy drinks at this stage may be beneficial, as they can aid in cleaning the balloon, facilitating its removal. Finally, 12 hours before the scheduled balloon removal, you must abstain from both food and drinks.
For swallowable type of balloon procedure, it is recommended to only consume clear liquids in the 8 hours leading up to the placement of the gastric balloon pill. Furthermore, you should refrain from eating anything on the morning of the procedure. However, you can still consume clear liquids like strained clear broth, herbal teas, coconut water, and similar options. Moreover, Clear liquid intake should be stopped 2 hours before the scheduled placement of the balloon.
Recovery period and returning to daily life and work after both types of gastric balloon procedures is 1 to 3 days.
For how long does the balloon stay in the stomach?
Gastric balloons are intended to remain in the stomach temporarily, typically for 16 weeks up to 12 months. Endoscopically placed balloons are deflated and removed with another endoscopy, while self-deflating “procedureless” balloons pass naturally into the toilet.
How much weight you should expect to lose after the procedure?
You can lose about 10-15% of your weight.
What are the side effects that may be experienced after gastric balloon?
The most common symptoms that may occur after the procedure are nausea and cramps. These can last up to a week, but in the majority of patients, they pass within 1 to 3 days. If the complaints do not regress, the balloon may need to be removed.
Who can and cannot be a candidate for gastric balloon?
The gastric balloon treatment is a suitable option for individuals. These individuals are who have a body mass index (BMI) ranging from 27 to 40 and are struggling with traditional dieting methods. However, Gastric balloons cannot be inserted to people who have had gastric sleeve surgery. Gastric balloon is not qualified to pregnant women. Moreover, it is not qualified to long-term cortisone users, those who are undergoing cancer treatment or had cancer treatment recently.
How soon can the patient travel back home after the procedure?
Patients can fly back to home 3 days after the balloon insertion in case they will need any medical assistance.
