Your Weight Loss Journey with Gastric Balloon Surgery

Gastric Balloon is a non-surgical procedure aimed at helping people who suffer from excessive obesity to lose weight. A small balloon filled with blue water is inserted into the stomach, causing it to expand and leading to a feeling of fullness and reduced appetite. This stimulates weight loss.

This procedure is designed to support people in the process of changing their lifestyle by achieving faster weight loss than through diet and exercise alone.

The Gastric Balloon procedure is performed by a doctor or surgeon in a hospital or specialized medical center. The procedure includes the following steps:

1. Anesthesia: The patient is given conscious sedation to facilitate the insertion of the thin tube containing the balloon into the stomach.

2.  Insertion of the balloon: The small balloon is inserted through the mouth and throat, and the balloon is filled with blue water through the thin tube.

3. Verification of proper placement: The placement of the balloon inside the stomach is confirmed using an X-ray or abdominal examination.

4.  Removal of the thin tube: Once the balloon is properly placed in the stomach, the thin tube is gently removed.

5.  Monitoring and follow-up care: The patient must remain in the hospital for a short period for monitoring and follow-up care to ensure that there are no complications such as stomach inflammation or vomiting.

1. Individuals who suffer from severe obesity and have a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or greater may benefit from gastric balloon to help them lose excess weight and improve their overall health.

2.  Gastric Balloon can be a solution for people who have not been successful in losing weight due to difficulty managing their lifestyle or not tolerating other surgical weight loss procedures.

3.  Gastric Balloon procedure helps improve obesity-related diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

4. Gastric Balloon may be a good option for people who need to lose weight quickly due to health or psychological reasons, such as improving overall health or preparing for other surgical procedures.

The Spatz Balloon and the Medsil Balloon are two types of gastric balloons used as a tool for weight loss.

The Spatz Balloon is an adjustable inflatable type of gastric balloon that can be adjusted in size after being placed in the stomach using a special blue saline solution.

 The size of the balloon is precisely determined and adjusted to fit each patient according to their needs and health condition. This technique has several advantages, including the ability to adjust the balloon size according to the patient's desires and health needs, easy removal in case of necessity, and suitability for patients who want to lose significant amounts of weight.

On the other hand, the Medsil Balloon is made of soft medical-grade silicone and is a non-inflatable type of Gastric balloon.

The Medsil Balloon is placed in the stomach using an endoscope and stays there for up to 6 months, and its size cannot be adjusted after placement. This type of balloon is characterized by causing less nausea and vomiting compared to other balloons and is suitable for patients who have difficulty controlling their eating and maintaining a healthy diet.

Gastric Balloon is used as a weight loss tool for obese individuals. However, before undergoing this procedure, the following health conditions must be met:

1. The person considering the gastric balloon procedure must be in good health and not suffer from any health problems that would hinder their ability to tolerate the treatment.

2. The person considering the balloon must be 18 years or older.

3.  They must be qualified to undergo the surgical procedure after evaluating their overall health and conducting the necessary medical tests.

4.  There should be no certain diseases, such as stomach, intestinal, colon, diabetes, heart or lung infections.

There are many benefits to using a Gastric Balloon for weight loss, including:

1.  High effectiveness: A Gastric balloon can significantly help with weight loss, as people can lose up to 15-20% of their total weight during the balloon period.

2.  Non-surgical procedure: The Balloon is inserted into the stomach through the mouth using a thin tube, and does not require surgery or general anesthesia.

3.  Short usage period: The oval balloon can stay in the stomach for a period ranging from 3-6 months, while the silicone balloon can stay in the stomach for a period of 8-12 months.

4. Health improvement: Weight loss can improve health in general, as a gastric balloon can help improve cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and blood pressure.

There are several instructions that must be followed before undergoing a Gastric Balloon procedure, including:

1. Fasting for 6 hours before the procedure, and in some cases, fasting may be required for up to 24 hours before the procedure.

2. Discontinuing certain medications before the procedure, such as antibiotics, pain relievers, no steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and some diabetes medications.

3. Undergoing certain medical tests and examinations to evaluate the patient's health and determine their suitability for the procedure.

4. Consulting a nutrition specialist to determine the appropriate diet plan for the patient after the balloon procedure.

The patient must adhere to all the instructions provided by their treating physician and inform them of any health problems that may arise during the preparation period for the procedure.

After a Gastric Balloon procedure, the patient should follow some important instructions to achieve better results and avoid complications, including:

1. The patient should follow a suitable diet and adhere to the recommendations of a nutritionist, and avoid high-calorie foods.
2. The patient should attend scheduled medical follow-up appointments to ensure that no complications occur.

3. The patient should notify the treating physician in case of any health problems or unexpected side effects.

4.  The patient should follow the treating physician's instructions regarding taking prescribed medications to help with weight loss and maintain stomach health.

5.  Smokers should quit smoking, as smoking increases the risk of complications after the procedure.

The patient must comply with all instructions specified by the treating physician and inform the physician of any health problems that arise after the procedure.