Frequently Asked Questions About Gastric Balloon

About Gastric Balloon

Gastric balloon is a non-permanent weight loss procedure applied endoscopically in people who cannot lose weight with diet and exercise, do not want to have surgery or have a high risk of surgery. After it is placed in the stomach, it is inflated with 400 or 700 cc of salt water. On average, the gastric balloon is removed after 6 months to 1 year. In this option, the patient loses weight with diet and exercise support.

How is Stomach Balloon placed?

Gastric Balloon is a very popular type of weight loss treatment. During the treatment, patients are put to sleep. Then the doctor lowers the endoscope device from the patient’s mouth to the stomach. An endoscope is a thin tube with a camera at the end. At the same time, a balloon is attached to the end of this hose. When the doctor reaches the stomach with the endoscope, when he finds the appropriate place, he inflates the balloon with salt water. Thus, the process is completed.

What are the possible side effects of gastric balloon?

Gastric balloon does not bother patients most of the time. It just creates a feeling of bloating in the stomach. This depends on the volume of the balloon. Therefore, there are no serious side effects seen in every patient. However, the following may be seen in some patients;

• Immediately after treatment Stomach discomfort, nausea and vomiting
• Reduced stool volumes or frequency of bowel movements during treatment
• Heartburn and acid reflux during treatment
• Belching after meals during treatment

How long can the balloon stay in my stomach?

The answer to this question depends on the treatment you will receive. You should know which type of balloon you will wear and decide accordingly;
Orbera® Gastric balloon can stay in the stomach for 6 months.
Spatz3® It can stay in the stomach for 12 months.
If your doctor recommends using the balloon for a longer time, the expired balloons are replaced with new ones.

Can A Person Keep Their Orbera Balloon Longer Than Six Months?

As mentioned above, there are various balloons of 6 months or 12 months. For this reason, patients can choose the period of time they want to be treated. Unfortunately, using the 6-month gastric balloon for a longer period of time puts you at risk of complications such as intestinal obstruction, which can be fatal. For this reason, 6-month-old gastric balloons cannot be used for a longer period of time.

Is a 6 month gastric balloon better or 12 month old?

The answer to this varies from patient to patient. If the patient wants a 12-month gastric balloon, he should have a 12-month gastric balloon. Doctors offer successful treatments for both. What matters is what the patient wants. Therefore, you should decide what you want and plan your treatment accordingly. At the same time, you should know that you will go to the doctor again to remove the balloon. But if you want a recommendation, 6-month-old musde balloons are safer. Risks are more likely to occur with 12-month-old gastric balloons.

Can I Use Alcohol With gastric balloon?

If you have a gastric balloon, it is natural to wonder if drinking alcohol will help. You should know that alcohol will not damage the gastric balloon. However, it is not suitable for your diet, as it will cause burning and reflux in your stomach, and because it has calories. In short, although it is not recommended to use alcohol while the gastric balloon is present, it will not cause any harm to the gastric balloon.

How is the Stomach balloon removed?

The process of removing the gastric balloon is just like the placement of the gastric balloon. Your doctor will give you an anesthetic and make you sleep. Then the stomach descends with the endoscope device. After removing the salt water from your stomach, you will also remove the deflated balloon from your stomach and the process is completed.

How much weight can I lose with a gastric balloon?

The weight that each patient will lose with gastric balloon treatment is different. Therefore, it is not possible to give exact values. However, on average, patients who received a gastric balloon were able to lose 20% of their body weight. If the treatment is supported with exercises, this value may be higher.

How long does recovery take after Gastric Balloon?

You may need to take time off from work or school for 2 or 3 days to get used to the balloon placed in your stomach. You will get used to the balloon within a short time. However, it is normal to feel discomfort in your stomach in the first days. For this reason, staying still for 3 days and resting will help you recover faster.

Can I feel the gastric balloon?

You will feel the balloon in your stomach for the first time. Then you will get used to it and you will not feel it. However, you will have bloating in your stomach for the first 48 hours. Afterwards, you can feel the balloon by touching it from your abdomen.

Will there be anything I can’t eat after the Gastric Balloon treatment?

If there is no prohibited food after gastric balloon treatment, you will need to enter a special diet after treatment. Therefore, avoiding certain foods will allow you to lose weight faster. You should also be fed a liquid diet for 3 days after treatment. Then you can switch to solids.

Can I travel with a Stomach balloon?

Many of our patients from abroad return to their countries after receiving gastric balloon treatment in Turkey. So yes. There is no harm in traveling by flying after gastric balloon treatment.

Who is the gastric balloon suitable for?

Gatric balloon treatment is suitable for people with a body mass index of 27 and above. At the same time, it is important that the patients have not undergone any surgery on their esophagus or stomach. The appropriate age range for treatment is 18-55.

Will I Gain Weight After The Gastric Balloon Is Removed?

Gastric balloon treatment is a treatment that enables the patient to reach the feeling of satiety with fewer portions. In addition, when supported by diet and exercise, of course, it provides weight loss. If the balloon is removed, a feeling of emptiness will begin in the stomach. For this reason, even if the patients’ appetite increases momentarily, if they continue to exercise over time, weight gain will not be seen. The important thing here is to continue to eat healthy and not to stop exercising.

Will the gastric balloon restrict my activities?

Resting for the first week after gastric balloon treatment should prevent the treatment from causing discomfort. However, it does not restrict your activities during the treatment. This only takes 1 week. You can then return to your daily life.

How about pregnancy and breastfeeding with a gastric balloon?

Gastric balloon treatment is a treatment that should not be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Therefore, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should wait for the end of this period to receive gastric balloon treatment.

How long does the gastric balloon stay in the stomach?

As mentioned above, gastric balloon treatments are valid for two different times. You can receive treatments for 6 months or 12 months. You can decide for yourself which one is right for you. However, you should know that it is not possible to use the 6-month balloon for a longer period of time.

How does the Stomach balloon work?

Gastric balloon takes up too much space in the stomach. This reduces the feeling of hunger in the stomach. Thus, patients feel less hungry. At the same time, the balloon in the stomach allows the patient to reach a feeling of fullness with fewer portions. In this case, the treatments give successful results. However, you should know that although treatment is a weight loss method, treatment should be supported with diet and exercises.

Can I exercise with Gastric Balloon?

Although you need to rest for the first 3 days after gastric balloon therapy, you can of course exercise afterwards. In fact, this is a routine you should do after treatment. It will accelerate weight loss as well as provide you with a healthier weight. In short, yes. There is no harm in doing sports after the treatment.

Will the Gastric Balloon affect my medications?

In gastric balloon treatment, the balloon may slow down the time it takes for the medicine to take effect, as it slows the time it takes for the stomach to empty. Other than that, there will be no problems.

Gastric Balloon Prices

Gastric Bypass prices are highly variable. Prices will vary between Brands, Countries and clinics. For this reason, you should definitely contact a clinic or hospital for net prices. For good prices, you can plan to get treatment in Turkey. We can help you here. Our gastric balloon prices in Turkey start from 2.350€. You can also call us for detailed information.

What Happens If The Gastric Balloon Deflates By Itself?

If the gastric balloon deflates on its own, the balloon may descend into the lower stomach or intestines, causing pain or nausea. In such a case, you should go to the hospital and state the situation. However, this is a very rare occurrence.