The gastric balloon is a non-surgical weight loss method in which a grapefruit-sized balloon made of silicone is inserted into the stomach. This balloon, placed through endoscopy and filled with air or methylene blue solution, occupies a place in the stomach and helps reduce eating portions by creating a feeling of fullness in the person in whom it is inserted.
The gastric balloon, which effectively loses weight with healthy eating habits, is divided into two types: 6-month and 12-month balloons. These balloons, when the time comes, are removed from the stomach by endoscopy. Both insertion and removal of the balloon take only 30 minutes. Patients are discharged after staying under observation in the hospital for 2-3 hours after application.
As long as patients who lose weight with a gastric balloon maintain regular eating habits and do not interrupt their exercise program, their weight will not increase. However, patients should integrate this lifestyle into their lives permanently.
The gastric balloon takes up space in your stomach and constricts your stomach volume. This constriction gives you benefits such as quick feeling of satiety and delayed appearance of hunger.
Although you will feel full in a shorter time with the gastric balloon, the calorie content of your meals is important. You must follow the diet program recommended by our nutritionists. With your diet program, you should learn to eat right and make it a habit.
Gastric balloons do not burst, but puncture may occur if the acidity of the stomach is too high. However, this is a very, very rare complication. Thanks to the blue liquid that we put into the gastric balloon, the puncture can be noticed immediately by the patient. Since the patient’s urine turns blue, they can immediately contact a doctor in this case.
The gastric balloon is made of a soft silicone material that can be filled with liquid or air.
Whether the gastric balloon is used for 6 months or 12 months depends entirely on the target weight and the doctor’s recommendation. If the target weight loss is 10-15 kilos, a 6-month balloon is suitable; if the target weight loss is 20 or more kilos, a 12-month balloon should be used.