Who is a Gastric Balloon Applied to?

We can apply a gastric balloon for more effective weight loss compared to diet and exercise in mild and moderate overweight patients. We can also apply a gastric balloon in the preoperative period for patients who are severely overweight and afraid of surgery or for the purpose of reducing excess weight before obesity surgery.

The gastric balloon is applied in the endoscopy unit with superficial anesthesia in approximately 20 minutes. We can return to work a few hours after the procedure. The balloons are resistant to stomach acid and food particles, can be inflated with air or liquid and remain in the stomach for 6 or 12 months. The gastric balloon should be removed in the endoscopy unit after 6 or 12 months.

The purpose of the gastric balloon is to provide early satiety due to swelling in the stomach, reduce the amount of food in meals, delay stomach emptying and subsequently provide weight loss. Nausea and vomiting may occur in the first 48-72 hours after the gastric balloon is applied, then our body adapts to the balloon. The rate of developing problems after the procedure is extremely low, we accept it as a very reliable method.

After the gastric balloon application, if we are motivated and stick to the diet program, we can lose an average of 17.8-24.4 kilos. The weight loss process may vary depending on age, additional disease, and our metabolic rate. Although the gastric balloon is effective in the short term (6-12 months), there is a risk of regaining weight after the balloon is removed.