Gastric Balloon

What is Gastric Balloon?

Gastric balloon placement is a weight loss procedure that involves placing a silicone balloon filled with saline into your stomach. It helps you lose weight by limiting how much you can eat and making you feel full faster.

A gastric balloon procedure may be an option if you are concerned about your weight and if diet and exercise aren’t working for you.

Like other weight loss procedures, gastric balloon placement requires you to commit to a healthier lifestyle. You must make permanent healthy changes to your diet and exercise routine to ensure the long-term success of the procedure.

Before Gastric Balloon

If you are going to have a balloon inserted in your stomach, your health care team will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for your procedure. You may need to pass a variety of tests and lab tests before the procedure.

You may need to limit what you eat and drink, as well as the medications you take while preparing for the procedure. You may also be asked to start a physical activity program.

Gastric balloon placement is performed in the endoscopic unit as an outpatient procedure. You will be sedated for the procedure.

During the procedure, your doctor inserts a thin tube (catheter) containing a balloon in your stomach down your throat into your stomach. The doctor then inserts the endoscope — a flexible tube with a camera attached — down your throat into your stomach. The camera allows your doctor to see the balloon as they fill it with saline solution. The procedure takes about half an hour. You can usually go home one to two hours after the procedure is complete.

After Gastric Balloon Operation

You may have a small amount of fluid for about six hours after the procedure. The liquid diet usually continues until the beginning of the second week, when you can start eating soft foods. You will probably start eating and drinking normally about three weeks after the balloon is intubated.

The balloon in the stomach is left in place for up to 6 months and then removed endoscopically. At this point, a new balloon may or may not be placed, depending on the plan determined by you and your doctor. You will also meet regularly with members of your medical team, such as a dietitian and psychologist, after your procedure.

Healing Process

You can go home as soon as the sedative wears off. Make sure someone can drive you.

You can continue all your normal activities without limitation, including showering, swimming, and flying

It should be noted that you will experience cramping, nausea, and vomiting as your stomach tries to digest the gastric balloon, but because of the inability to digest these symptoms last 3-7 days, depending on the person, and then go away. . Your doctor will prescribe the necessary medications for you to go through this process easily.

Don’t forget that a gastric balloon is a first step towards weight loss. It is very important that you maintain this by changing your lifestyle and eating habits in the next steps. You will need to follow the diet given to you and make it a habit in the future. It is normal to feel uncomfortable like nausea right after the balloon is inserted. It can take a few days or up to a week. Depending on the severity of these conditions, your doctor will prescribe medication.

During the first two weeks, most patients report feeling completely full. Some patients may feel nauseous after eating. Significant weight loss was observed during this 2 week period.

After 3-6 weeks, appetite is gradually restored, but he can be satisfied with very little food. You should eat slowly. Meals should be planned and considered. Symptoms such as hiccups, acid reflux and nausea are often seen when you eat quickly and a lot. 7.-12. Continuous weight loss week. However, that is less than the first 6 weeks. During this period, it is important to continue to work on establishing diet and exercise methods as a way to lose weight.