The gastric balloon is a procedure that belongs to the family of bariatric medicine. The technique is designed to assist individuals suffering from obesity to successfully lose weight. Some consider the treatment life-changing for giving them the push they needed to embark on their weight loss journey. Particularly those who aren’t suitable candidates for surgical bariatric treatments.
What is a Gastric Balloon
The gastric balloon is a non-surgical treatment that facilitates the weight loss process for patients by taking up volume in the stomach. With an endoscope, your doctor inserts a deflated silicone sac down your esophagus. Once it reaches its final destination in your stomach, your doctor will fill it up with a saline solution.
The gastric balloon also comes in the form of a pill that you swallow. This form is filled with air and is considered a more modern version.
The inflated gastric balloon will occupy a substantial portion of your stomach, consequently suppressing your appetite. It also impacts the release of hunger hormones which will assist you in consuming less food.
The procedure doesn’t necessitate the use of anesthesia except in the removal process.
Candidates For the Gastric Balloon Procedure
A gastric balloon is a suitable option for:
- Obese patients in a critical health state and cannot undergo surgical options.
- People with BMI scores between 30 and 40
- It is also suitable for patients who are overweight
Conditions that can disqualify you from the procedure are as follows:
- Gastrointestinal tract inflammatory diseases
- Failed surgical bariatric surgeries in the past
- Liver failure
- Hiatal hernia
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Gastric Balloon Recovery
You can take a few days to rest at home after surgery. You should expect minor discomfort that will wear down with time.
Another thing to know is that you will be on a liquid diet for the first week before you move to soft foods and eventually regular meal plans.
Results and Expectations of a Gastric Balloon
The weight loss isn’t instantaneous. But you will immediately observe a drastic change in your appetite and capacity for food. During the first week, you’ll be on a liquid diet. Most women lose up to 8 pounds during the first week. Whereas men lose up to 15 pounds.
As time passes your appetite will grow and so will your ability to consume food. That is why it’s important to incorporate a lifestyle change with the procedure.
You must acquire a firm understanding of the primitive concepts of weight loss and healthy eating. Those who couple the treatment with a healthy lifestyle can shed up to 29% of their weight.
Resuming with weight loss the gastric balloon can help you get rid of or improve many health conditions such as the following:
- Sleep apnea
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cholesterol
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Is a Gastric Balloon Permanent?
A gastric balloon is not permanent. Within six months you will go for removal. The gastric balloon is removed via endoscopy.
Practicing healthy habits pre-removal will help keep you on track with your weight loss journey.
In Summary
A gastric balloon is a great alternative for patients who can’t opt for surgical alternatives. This category includes people with BMI between 27-30 which aren’t typically suitable for more invasive options as well as people with serious conditions that prevent them from surgery.
The gastric balloon occupies around 40% to 45% of your stomach repressing your food cravings and shrinking your capacity to eat food.
But you must adopt healthy food behaviors in order to unlock the maximum potential of the surgery. These habits can help you maintain your weight even after the gastric balloon is removed.
Train yourself on eating smaller portions and healthier food options.
Gastric Balloon in Turkey
Because obesity imposes great risks on overall health, a gastric balloon becomes necessary to improve the quality of life of obese people. But it’s not always that insurance covers this procedure. And for this reason, many are seeking medical tourism to get their gastric balloon for reduced costs. Turkey is one of the biggest destinations because of its reputation, high-quality medical care, and affordable prices.
We’re here at Esthete Clinic to ensure you’re safe and are getting the best treatment. We exclusively host doctors with the highest certificates to make sure you get the results you deserve.
Contact Esthete Clinic
If you’re ready to transform your life for the better, contact us. Our bariatric specialists will educate and help you choose the right weight-loss procedure in the right hospital with the right doctors!