What is endoscopy?
Endoscopy is an internal examination carried out by a specialist doctor using a camera. In our field, we endoscopically view the stomach. It must be done in a trusted hospital by a doctor. Before the examination starts, the patient is put down by an anesthesia specialist. The camera (endoscope) is inserted through the mouth to the stomach to analyze if the weight loss process can be carried out safely.
The whole endoscopy process (insertion of the balloon, adjustment and removing the endoscope) takes about 20 minutes. Risks are very low with endoscopic method; risk of an average complication is lower than 1% while risk of any big complication is lower than 0.1%. Your doctor will explain you the process and risks of endoscopy in detail.
How long does the recovery process take?
You must rest for at least 3 days after the procedure. It may be sooner or later for you to go back to your normal life depending on how your body adapts the balloon.
How long will the balloon remain in my stomach?
Depending on the gastric balloon type, it remains 6 to 12 months.
If your doctor recommends that it must stay longer, it must be replaced by a new one at 6 or 12 months intervals.
How is the balloon removed?
Intragastric balloon is removed from the stomach with an endoscopic camera the same way as it is inserted. Your doctor inserts a tube from the mouth to the stomach to deflate the balloon. After the balloon is deflated it is removed through the esophagus out of the mouth.
Will intragastric balloon restrict my activities?’
You shouldn’t do heavy work during the first week after insertion. After your body adapted the balloon, you can continue your usual routine. It is certainly recommended that you start an exercise program which will contribute to your weight loss process.
Can I exercise?
We highly recommend exercising for your weight loss strategy. You can safely do all sorts of exercise but you should wait 3 weeks after insertion and 2 weeks after any adjustment to prevent any complication related to hydration or electrolyte disorders.
Are the any other complications?
Including our treatments, gastric balloons have been used for over a decade around the world. Complications are rarely encountered and they are easy to treat. In addition to that, they are not life threatening complications. They are as follows;
Esophageal Reflux: Can be prevented with prescribed medications.
Gastric Ulcer: Depends on the gastric balloon used and generally treated with prescribed medication. (rarely requires removal of the balloon)
Gastric Bleeding: Often caused by gastric ulcer and more than 99% of the cases are treated endoscopically.
Balloon Deflation: Gastric balloon rarely deflates spontaneously. If this ever happens, the urine turns into greenish/blue color because of methylene blue color in the balloon. Seeing green/blue urine is a sign that you must go through endoscopy in 48 hours, so consult your clinic right away at an event like this.
Balloon Migration (to the intestines) : If balloon is spontaneously deflated, it may pass through the small intestines. If it happens, deflated balloon is defecated out of the intestines and rarely causes a blockage that requires a surgical intervention.
Death: Risks are lower than 0,004%. Death is an extremely rare complication that is encountered in patients over 65 who previously had a gastric surgery and experience uncontrollable vomiting. (The use of gastric balloon in patients who previously had gastric surgery is not recommended)
How often do I need to visit my doctor after gastric balloon insertion?
Follow up program is crucial for the success of the balloon and adjusting a new lifestyle. You must visit your doctor at least once a month during first six months of the insertion, once a month after the removal and once in six months later on. During this time, your progress is evaluated and you will gain basic and valuable information about health, nutrition and exercise.
Will I feel the balloon in my stomach?
You may feel discomfort the first few days after the insertion but your body will adapt later on.
Will I gain weight after?
This could be a yes or a no. Researches have shown that obesity is a chronic disease. So there is always a chance you may gain weight again even after surgery. The only thing that changes is how much weight you gain.
Researches indicate that patients gain back the weight they’ve lost with diet and exercise in 6-12 months. Generally, they gain 10-20% of the weight they’ve lost. Patients generally keep losing weight for 5 years if they don’t go back to their poor nutrition habits.
The key to preventing weight gain after an intervention is active management. After you complete your program, you will have a plan prepared for you to prevent weight gain and track your weight. We also recommend to continue your annual visits to evaluate your progress after your program is completed.
Can I eat everything I want or is there a restriction to my diet?
There is no dietary restriction but you will realize you cannot eat as much as you used to. In addition to that, fatty and sweet food may cause you discomfort. Overeating is also dangerous during the time balloon is inserted.
Can I travel?
Please understand that gastric balloon is a subspecialty and balloon maintenance speciality is not common. Even though there is a low risk of complications, we don’t recommend traveling to places where you cannot reach to a specialist in case of an emergency.
Does gastric balloon affect medications of use?
All of the medications you are using will be regularly inspected by our specialists and you will be given personal recommendations as a part of the program.
Along with that, the gastric balloon may slow down the effect of the medication as it slows down the discharging of stomach as well. There is no other effect gastric balloons have over medications. You must avoid anti-inflammatory medications as well as ibuprofen, diclofenac and meloxicam as long as the balloon is inserted. These medications increase the risk of ulcer. There is no inconvenience in using cream and gel preparations as in paracetamol.
Is there anything I shouldn’t eat?
Your diet may be restricted during insertion, adjustment and removal of the balloon. Otherwise, you can freely and safely eat mostly everything.
Foods that are hard to digest, spices and rich foods may cause symptoms. Red meat, specially steak, may cause indigestion. We recommend eating mostly fish and chicken based meals. Fibrous foods must be cooked till soften.
How long do I need to take absence from work?
We recommend 4-5 days off work against any potential complications.
What can you say about pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are both not the right times for weight loss. Weight loss may adversely affect your baby’s growth during either of these times. Therefore, gastric balloons (and other weight loss methods) must be avoided until the pregnancy and breastfeeding is over.
Sometimes, weight loss in women with PCOS may increase fertility therefore contraceptive methods must be ensured during the use of balloon. If you get pregnant while the balloon is inserted, the balloon is removed at the most convenient time which is generally during the second trimester of pregnancy.
However, there has been no record of adverse effect of gastric balloon to a mother or the baby.
Can I have multiple balloons inserted?
You cannot have multiple balloons inserted at the same time but you can have them consecutively. Patients mostly prefer the second balloon after the first one is expired. There are patients who have used gastric balloon for more than 4 years. This way, intragastric balloon contributes to your weight loss for long term.
