How does an intragastric balloon work? It fills your stomach, so you feel full from small portions. Food slows down in your stomach, so you eat less often.

An intragastric balloon is right for you if:

You want to lose 10 to 15 kg. Weight loss when using an intragastric balloon varies and can range from 1 to 30 kg.

You are preparing for bariatric surgery and this is not currently medically possible.

Your BMI is 25 or more (for Asians) and 27 or more (for others).

You are looking for a reversible procedure.

An intragastric balloon is not suitable for you if:

You suffer from hiatal hernia or acid reflux

You have a bleeding disorder

Have you had stomach surgery before?

Are you pregnant or planning a family?

You seek to optimize health as a bridge to non-obesity therapies (e.g. organ transplants, knee or hip replacements).

You may want to lose weight through methods other than surgery.

In such patients, pharmacotherapy and medically supervised diet programs have shown variable to moderate efficacy for weight loss, and they are generally ineffective for long-term maintenance of weight loss and reduction of comorbidities.

This procedure is also not suitable for people suffering from alcohol or drug addiction.

How is an intragastric balloon inserted?

The gastric balloon procedure is performed using an endoscope, a small silicone balloon is placed in the upper part of the stomach. This procedure takes 15-30 minutes. This is usually done under light anesthesia to make her comfortable. During the procedure, the balloon is filled with 400 - 700 ml of colored liquid.

Your recovery after the procedure:

You may feel full or nauseous for the next 2-3 days, for which you need to take antacids and antiemetics. Antacid treatment will continue until the balloon is in place. You will start with a liquid diet and gradually return to a normal diet after two weeks, your ability to tolerate most types of food will improve day by day, although the portion you can eat at one meal will be greatly reduced. Regular follow-up for one year is a must to achieve good weight loss.

How long does the balloon stay?

Two different internal cylinder systems are used. In one type, the balloon is recommended to be removed within 6 months, while in the other, the balloon can be stored for up to a year. Complications may increase or the balloon may deflate beyond the set time. The balloon can be removed earlier if you don't feel well with it.

What if the balloon deflates?

The balloon is filled with blue liquid. If the balloon deflates or leaks, it will change the color of your urine to blue. If you notice this, you must report it to the hospital immediately.

How the ball is removed:

It is removed by endoscopy under sedation and is usually a simple procedure. The balloon is punctured, deflated, grasped and removed.

Complications of the intragastric balloon:

In rare cases, this can cause bleeding, perforation, migration leading to obstruction, and in rare cases, surgery may be required to resolve these problems. To maintain a good weight, it is important to continue to live a healthy lifestyle and eat.

Warning: It is important to avoid pregnancy until the balloon is in place.