What is a Gastric Balloon?
A soft, silicone balloon characterizes the gastric balloon, a non-surgical weight loss procedure. A specialist inserts it into the stomach, where it occupies space and limits the food intake capacity. This restriction helps individuals eat less and thus supports weight loss. Healthcare professionals place the balloon through the mouth and oesophagus using an endoscope—a flexible tube equipped with a camera—and inflate it once it’s inside the stomach.
How is an Intragastric Balloon Prepared?
The preparation for an intragastric balloon begins when a patient receives mild sedation. Next, healthcare providers insert the deflated balloon into the stomach via an endoscope. This procedure takes about 20-30 minutes. After placement, they inflate the balloon with sterile saline to achieve a soft, round shape. The non-invasive nature of this procedure allows for a quick recovery, enabling most patients to return home the same day.
Who Is Suitable for stomach balloon?
Individuals who are obese or overweight and seeking a non-surgical method to manage their weight are ideal candidates for a gastric balloon. It works especially well for those with a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40. Prospective patients should also be prepared to embrace lifestyle changes such as improved diet and regular exercise to enhance their weight loss journey. This method is often recommended for those who have struggled to lose weight through diet and exercise alone.
Benefits
The gastric balloon procedure offers multiple advantages:
- It is non-surgical and minimally invasive.
- It assists in portion control and reduces feelings of hunger.
- Significant weight loss often occurs within a brief period.
- It promotes long-term weight management when paired with lifestyle modifications.
- It may alleviate conditions associated with obesity, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Prices in Istanbul
Istanbul offers gastric balloon procedures at costs significantly lower than many Western countries, making it an attractive destination for medical tourists. These tourists seek affordable weight loss solutions without sacrificing quality.
Supporting Scientific Articles
A wealth of studies and clinical papers validate the effectiveness of the gastric balloon as a weight-loss method. Additionally, many scientific reviews document the procedure’s success rates over both short and long terms when patients also commit to healthy lifestyle changes.