The gastric balloon procedure is a highly preferred, non-surgical procedure. This method, which is applied through endoscopy, is more preferred because it is easier, non-surgical, and generally more cost-effective. Just like other weight loss surgery methods, hospitalization is not required after the gastric balloon method, which is applied to reduce or limit the person’s food intake.

Gastric Balloon Operation

The main purpose of the gastric balloon is to reduce the feeling of hunger and to make the feeling of fullness last longer after eating. The soft balloon placed in the stomach via endoscopy is then filled with saline solution to fill part of the stomach, which leaves less room in the stomach for food to be taken into the stomach. As a result, the nutrients taken into the body, and therefore the calories, decrease and weight loss occurs. The gastric balloon, which is used as a temporary method, is usually removed after a period of 6-12 months.

Who is the Gastric Balloon Procedure Applied to?

It is a method applied to facilitate the weight loss process for people who have been living for a long time with the problem of obesity that affects their quality of life, or whose BMI (Body Mass Index) is over 30. The gastric balloon method, which is applied at the point where methods such as exercise and diet are insufficient, facilitates and accelerates the weight loss process. Gastric balloon operation is a procedure that can be applied to people who are not suitable for other surgical weight loss methods such as sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass. Among other methods, this procedure, which carries less risk as it is non-surgical, has an easier process as it does not carry the risk of postoperative complications.

Just like with other surgical weight loss methods, you need to go through an extensive preparation process before the gastric balloon procedure. After the medical evaluations, the procedure will be applied in an average of 20 minutes. After a few hours of postoperative rest at the hospital, you can be discharged. Although there might be side effects such as nausea, mild cramps, and vomiting after the procedure, these side effects will usually disappear within a few days.