6 Months Gastrıc Balloon

Bariglobe and Medsil are Russian balloons that has been in use for several years in Europe and elsewhere. It has proven to be a trusted and reliable medical device that is effective and affordable. They are the most commonly used brands in Turkey. These balloons are inserted and removed by endoscopy under sedation. The silicone balloon is filled with blue dyed saline and can be filled to a maximum of 700 ml. Intragastric Balloon is a weight loss system that that takes up space in the stomach and makes you feel full. The balloon is placed in the stomach through the mouth using a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure while the patient is under mild sedation. When the balloon is in place, the balloon is filled with saline, as it expands into a spherical shape. The balloon can be filled with different amounts of saline (400 to 700 ml) depending on the amount that best suits the patient’s stomach size.

How Does It Work?

Intragastric balloon helps you lose weight by limiting how much you can eat and making you feel fuller faster.  The gastric balloon can guide you with appropriate portion control ( how much food you eat) and reduce the frequency of eating(how often you eat) Your snacking habits between meals will disappear

The balloon is temporary and should be removed after 6 months.

Who Is It For?

An intragastric balloon may be an option for you if:

• You have not been able to lose weight through diet and exercise.
• You're willing to commit to healthy lifestyle changes, get regular medical follow-up and participate in behavioral therapy
• You have not had any previous stomach or esophageal surgery

What Can You Expect?

During The Procedure

The intragastric balloon procedure is done in the endoscopy unit as an outpatient procedure. You'll be sedated for the procedure.

During the procedure, the doctor advances a thin tube (catheter) loaded with the intragastric balloon down your throat into your stomach. Next, the doctor advances an endoscope into your stomach. The camera allows your doctor to see the balloon as he fills it with blue dyed saline.

The procedure takes about a 20 minutes. You can normally go home one to two hours after the procedure is finished.

After The Procedure

You may be able to take only liquids for 3-4 days, progressing to soft food and then, after 2 weeks, to solid food.

You should be able to return to work after 1 to 2 days, depending on how soon your stomach settles and your type of work.

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. You should be able to start exercising again after a week. 

Gastric balloon is a minimally invasive procedure with minimal complications. The Gastric balloon procedure is generally safe but as with any procedure complications may occur and can include:

• Esophageal or gastric ulcers or perforation
• Deflation of the balloon which can lead to blockage.
• Should the balloon rupture, the dye will be released and color the urine green

Stomach cramps and nausea affect about one-third of people soon after insertion of an intragastric balloon. However, these symptoms usually only last for a few days after balloon placement. These symptoms can usually be managed with oral medications at home.

Intragastric balloons are left in place for up to 6 months and are then removed using an endoscope. You should follow a clear liquid diet for 1-2 days before the removal procedure. Patients can elect to have a second 6 months balloon after the removal of the first one if they choose to complete the treatment toward a normal BMI.

You'll also meet with members of your medical team, such as your nutritionist after your procedure.

Results

An intragastric balloon can make you feel more full faster than you normally would when eating, which often means you'll eat less. One reason why may be that the intragastric balloon slows down the time it takes to empty the stomach. Another reason may be that the balloon seems to change levels of hormones that control appetite.

The amount of weight you lose also depends on how much you can change your lifestyle habits including diet and exercise.

Based on several studies, loss of about 15% of body weight is typical during the six months after intragastric balloon placement. IGB therapy has been reported to result in significantly reduced metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hyperurisemia and hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholosterolemia; all of which remained reduced at 1 year follow-up.