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Intragastric Balloon
Intra-gastric balloon placement is a relatively new procedure, and is designed to assist weight loss. It is not an alternative to surgery in morbidly obese and must be regarded as an adjunctive method in certain patients. Because, it has no hormonal effect and also the effect will be temporary as the balloon must be removed after 1 year. Balloon is placed into the stomach via endoscopy under anesthesia and filled with saline to expand into a spherical shape. It works as a space filler and cause early satiety. The balloon moves freely in the stomach. Its material is generally soft silicone.
At İstanbul Bariatrics we use the latest Spatz III balloon, a US product, which allows higher expansion volumes. These balloons are also adjustable, thereby allowing repeat volume adjustments.
Indications:
Pre-surgical use: For weight loss in super-super obese patients (BMI 60 and above) prior to bariatric or other planned surgery in order to reduce the surgical risk.
General use: An intra-gastric balloon may be an option for overweight (BMI between 25-30) or class 1 obesity patients (BMI between 30-35) who failed to achieve and maintain weight-loss with a supervised weight control program.
All must realize that, after the balloon is inserted, a supervised diet and behavior modification is still necessary and will also be provided by our team. This is crucial in order to increase the tolerance to the balloon and also to achieve weight loss and its maintenance.
Contraindications:
* For patients younger than 18 years of age
* Pregnancy
* Previous gastric, bariatric or duodenal surgery,
* Large hiatal hernias, esophageal diverticulum-stenosis, ulcers in the stomach.
Risks:
Abdominal distension, discomfort, and nausea may occur in about one-third of people after the insertion of an intragastric balloon. These symptoms generally last for a few days. Although these symptoms can be treated with medications, it must be known that almost 10 to 15 % of the patients will not tolerate the balloon necessitating premature removal.
Serious risks are very rare. Balloon rupture or deflation and subsequent displacement towards the intestines may occur and this must be treated by immediate endoscopic extraction. If the deflated balloon is not immediately removed from the stomach by urgent gastroscopy, this can cause intestinal blockage requiring surgical correction.
Before insertion: All risks and probable side effects must be thoroughly discussed with each patient. The patient must start a PPI pill a week before the procedure. Endoscopic check of the stomach before insertion is a must. There must not be a large hiatal hernia or any active gastric lesion (ie: ulcer, cancer) during the gastroscopy.
After insertion:
You can have small amounts of liquid starting about six hours after the procedure. The liquid diet generally continues for one week. At the start of the second week you can start eating soft foods. You will be in close contact with our dietitian and psychologist following the procedure.