Endoscopic Intragastric Balloon

ENDOSCOPIC INTRAGASTRIC BALLOON

It is a weight-loss method that is not indicated for obesity surgery and aims to reduce the quantity of food consumed in a meal by placing an adjustable balloon in the stomach by endoscopy guide.

What is the Intragastric Balloon?

An adjustable gastric balloon is inserted endoscopically into the stomach and inflated with water. An intragastric balloon is a bariatric procedure that helps achieve weight loss in combination with behavior change and diet compliance.

How Intragastric Balloon Causes Weight Loss?

• It reduces appetite by covering one-third of stomach volume.
• Reduces the amount of food consumed in a meal.
• The stomach empties more slowly and gives a feeling of fullness for a long time.
• By staying in the stomach for 1 year, it helps the patient to change his eating habits.
• Unlike other bariatric procedures, the stomach balloon is only a restrictive procedure.
• It has no malabsorptive effect.
• It has no metabolic effect.

To Whom The Intragastric Balloon is Applied?

• BMI > 27
• BMI > 50 with high operative risk patients. It is aimed to reduce the risk by providing weight loss before surgery.
• BMI> 40 who do not want to have surgery

An intragastric balloon is applied to patients that are not suitable for obesity surgery. A procedure to help patients lose weight.

 
Losing weight ratios

In patients with balloon indication, the chance of success with diet alone is 10-15% while the chance of success with the intragastric balloon is 50%. Approximately 20% of the initial weight is given.

Intragastric Balloon Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

• Supports patients who cannot lose weight on their own.
• An appropriate period passes for the change of behavior in the remaining balloon for 1 year.
• If the new eating habits continue after the balloon is removed, the success rate is high.
• The process is reversible.
• Better weight loss rates in the process of regular dietitian control

Disadvantages

• It is only a restrictive method, it has no metabolic or absorption disturbance.
• There is a risk of gaining weight again if the balloon is removed and returned to the old eating habit.

Complications

• Bloating
• Peptic ulcus
• Diarrhea
• Anesthesia-related complications
• Aspiration pneumonia
• Esophageal/Gastric perforation
• Reflux
• Bad breath
• Gastric balloon burst and bowel obstruction

Risks
It is the procedure with the lowest risk of death among obesity interventions. The incidence of other complications, except nausea and vomiting, is very low in the first 2-3 days after the procedure

Before - After Photos