Clinic Antalya Obesity Surgery | Swallowable Gastric Balloon

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What is Swallowable Gastric Balloon?
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Swallowable Gastric Balloon in Antalya / Turkey
Swallowable gastric balloon is a new generation gastric balloon that can be swallowed with water, without the need for endoscopy or anesthesia. It helps in weight loss by occupying space in your stomach. It provides a feeling of fullness, slows down the passage of food through the stomach, and reduces your appetite. Additionally, it allows you to feel satisfied with small amounts of food due to the volume it occupies in the stomach. Swallowable gastric balloon is one of the non-surgical options that effectively treats obesity.
Resembling vitamin pills commonly used in daily life, the swallowable gastric balloon is designed in a capsule form that can be easily swallowed with plenty of water. It is compressed and has thin walls. This design allows for easy swallowing and passage through the intestines, eventually being excreted through the feces. The thinness of the balloon's walls does not imply vulnerability to puncture or inability to withstand stomach acid; it is as durable as other balloons.
The group that benefits the most from the swallowable gastric balloon is individuals with a body mass index (BMI) between 27 and 35. It can be applied to individuals between the ages of 18 and 65. Studies are still ongoing for older and adolescent age groups, and there is no definitive application procedure for these groups yet. The fact that the procedure does not require anesthesia makes it an ideal method, especially for those who are unable or unwilling to undergo anesthesia.
The swallowable gastric balloon also brings a great innovation in patient follow-up. The advantage of the balloon being naturally excreted eliminates the need for rehospitalization, endoscopy, or anesthesia, which are mandatory for other balloons. Therefore, it is commonly preferred by patients who come from geographically distant locations to healthcare facilities as a non-surgical method for weight loss.
The swallowable gastric balloon remains in the stomach for an average of 4 months. During this period, it helps you lose approximately 7-15% of your initial weight. Many scientific studies have shown that the majority of weight loss in individuals with a gastric balloon occurs within the first 12 weeks, and beyond 16 weeks, the presence of the balloon does not significantly contribute to weight loss. Nevertheless, the swallowable gastric balloon program lasts for 6 months. The aim is not only weight loss but also to maintain a healthy eating habit from the day the balloon is placed until its removal. This ensures the maintenance of the current weight and prevents weight regain.
Preparation for Swallowable Gastric Balloon Procedure
Fighting obesity requires a multidisciplinary approach involving multiple branches and the application of different methods through standard procedures. Therefore, it is crucial to seek healthcare institutions where access to all facilities is convenient, there is high-quality equipment, and dedicated teams are available.
After obtaining a detailed medical history from the patient, the reasons causing excessive weight are identified, and recommendations are made accordingly. A dietitian plans a healthy eating program in collaboration with the patient.
The medication that the patient should use for one week before the swallowable gastric balloon procedure is prescribed by the physician. For patients without a history of severe gastric complaints, using the prescribed medication is sufficient.
Food and drink should be discontinued 12 hours before the procedure. A 12-hour fasting period is important. Fluid intake should be stopped within the last 6 hours.
If the patient is using anticoagulant medication, it is recommended to consult with the physician and make appropriate plans, including discontinuing the medication one week before the procedure, which should be done 1 week before the procedure.
How is the Swallowable Gastric Balloon Procedure Performed?
First and foremost, it should be noted that anesthesia and endoscopy are not required for this procedure. The balloon, compressed into a capsule form, is swallowed with an ample amount of water under the supervision of a physician. The capsule has a connection apparatus at one end, which is used to inflate the balloon. To confirm that the balloon is correctly positioned in the stomach, an X-ray is taken for verification. Then, the physician inflates the balloon with a liquid using the apparatus at the end of the balloon. The liquid used for inflation is a safe fluid that does not have any adverse effects on the body and is provided along with the swallowable balloon package. After inflating the balloon with 400-450 cc of fluid, another X-ray is taken. The final position of the fluid-filled balloon is confirmed. Following thorough checks, the apparatus at the end of the balloon is gently pulled and removed from the mouth. Thus, the procedure is completed. The swallowable balloon procedure takes about 20 minutes, and throughout the procedure, the patient remains conscious and continuously interacts with the physician.




