Ammon – From following diets to exercising, from using mind-busting devices to undergoing surgeries… Multiple solutions to combat obesity, which has become a common problem all over the world, whether in men or women. There is another method that combines the advantages of several methods of weight loss, it is the swallowable gastric balloon, and it is a method that we have heard a lot about in recent years. The swallowable gastric balloon has become one of the most preferred methods in the treatment of obesity, thanks to the important benefits it provides, such as its ease of use without any surgical intervention, and the absence of the need for anesthesia or endoscopy to place it, as it fades by itself, so there is no need to return to the hospital in order to remove it. General Surgeon Prof. Dr. Eyup Gemici from Acıbadem Hospital in Istanbul answers ten questions regarding the Swallowable Gastric Balloon.
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What is a swallowable gastric balloon?؟
The swallowable gastric balloon is a new generation of gastric balloon that can be swallowed with water and does not require endoscopy and anesthesia to be placed inside the stomach. This technique aims to reduce the patient’s appetite by occupying a large space in the stomach, and slowing the passage of foods through it, thus making the digestion period longer. In addition, thanks to the space it occupies inside the stomach, it helps to feel full after eating a small amount of food. This method used in the temporary treatment of obesity helps to lose weight gradually and maintain the lost weight even after the balloon fades, thanks to the patient getting used to eating small amounts of food. In addition, it helps patients who will undergo bariatric surgery to lose weight before surgery and thus reduce the risks of the operation. The balloon is easy to swallow as it is the size of a vitamin capsule. Thanks to its delicate sac, the balloon is easy to swallow, passes easily through the intestines and is excreted with the stool. The fact that the balloon bag is thin does not mean that it can be punctured or that it will not withstand stomach acids, as it was produced to be durable and compatible with the acidic environment of the stomach, just like the regular balloons used in the treatment of obesity.
Can anyone benefit from this technology؟
All persons between the ages of 18 and 65 years can resort to the use of the swallowable gastric balloon. People with a BMI between 27 and 35 benefit the most from this method. Clinical studies are continuing to extend its use to the elderly and young adults. Since this technique does not require anesthesia, it is an ideal method for people who have health problems that prevent them from undergoing anesthesia, or those who do not wish to be anesthetized and do not wish to undergo surgery.
How is the procedure applied?؟
No need for anesthesia or endoscopy to place the swallowable gastric balloon on the patient. The gastric balloon comes in the size of a multivitamin tablet, and has a compact capsule-shaped design that is swallowed like a pill accompanied by a large amount of water. The placement of the balloon in the correct place is determined by taking x-rays. There is a delivery device at the end of the capsule through which the balloon is inflated after it reaches the stomach, then the doctor inflates the balloon with liquid using the device at the end of the balloon. Prof. Dr. Eyup Gemici says: “The liquid used to inflate the balloon does not have a negative effect on the body. After the balloon is inflated with about 500-550 cc of liquid, an x-ray is taken again. After that, the location of the balloon filled with liquid is examined. After confirmation Once the balloon is successfully positioned, the device attached to it is gently pulled out of the mouth. Thus, the process is complete.”
Is it hard to swallow a balloon?؟
Some patients may be concerned about their ability to swallow the balloon. Prof. Dr. Eyup Gemici points out that the majority of patients can swallow the balloon easily and adds: “However, some people who have difficulty swallowing medications may have difficulty swallowing the balloon capsule, in which case we help them to swallow the balloon.”
How long does it take to complete the process؟
The swallowable balloon application takes about 20 minutes. During this period, the patient is conscious and communicates with the doctor to carry out all the steps of the operation.
Can the patient leave the hospital immediately?ً؟
After the procedure is completed, the patient can leave the hospital directly and go home. The patient’s return to work period may range between 2 and 5 days, depending on the period of adaptation to eating foods with the balloon inside the stomach.
What is the average weight lost by the patient in this way؟
The balloon remains in the stomach for 16 to 18 weeks. During this period, the patient loses an average of 7 to 15% of the initial weight prior to ingestion of the balloon. According to many scientific studies, most of the weight is lost in the first 12 weeks of treatment, and keeping the balloon in the stomach after 16 weeks does not significantly contribute to weight loss. Prof. Dr. Ayoub Gemici says that the swallowable gastric balloon is a 6-month program at most, and he adds: “Because the goal is not only to reduce weight, but also to accustom the patient to healthy eating habits in smaller quantities. Thus, we prevent weight regain after the balloon fades.”
How is the balloon removed from the stomach?؟
No medical procedure is required to remove the swallowable gastric balloon from the body. The balloon has a fusible valve that dissolves completely at the end of 4 months on average, so the liquid in the balloon is emptied after the valve melts. Thus, the balloon, which has lost its size and only the outer bag remains, passes through the intestine and is easily expelled from the body. Most people do not feel the micro balloon cyst being removed from the body.
Are there any risks to using this technique?؟
Prof. Dr. Eyup Gemici says: “Some patients reported feeling nauseous and some abdominal cramps. These are normal reactions of the body and also appear in patients who have benefited from regular gastric balloon techniques during the first three days. We call this period the habituation period. These are the effects The most common side effect of a swallowable gastric balloon.” And the professor adds: “In some cases, we can give some medications to stop nausea, and we also give patients some nutritional recommendations, so that they can quickly get over the habituation stage. But there are some cases that do not exceed 3 percent. It requires the removal of the balloon as patients’ complaints do not subside. There are also rare cases where some serious side effects such as gastritis, ulcers and reflux are noted.”
What should be considered after balloon placement؟
After placing the gastric balloon, the patient is given some stomach-relaxing medications by the doctor so that he can spend the habituation period comfortably. Information is provided about the soft and liquid diet program to be followed in the early days to avoid stomach stress. After the end of the habituation period, the patient must start following a personal healthy nutrition program specially prepared for him by a nutritionist and dietitian in order to gradually prepare the body to get used to a better feeding pattern.
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