If you struggle to lose weight despite exercise and strict diets, a gastric balloon in Turkey may solve your problem.
The gastric balloon procedure is a new medical technique for weight loss that doesn’t require surgery. During the procedure, a balloon is inserted into the stomach using an endoscope placed through the mouth. This procedure eliminates the risks associated with surgery and makes the gastric balloon procedure a safe weight-loss option.
Obesity is a condition that can lead to several health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, joint pain, depression, and loss of self-confidence. However, in Turkey, there are several effective treatments available for obesity, one of which is the gastric balloon. This procedure is non-surgical, making it an excellent option for patients who are anxious about surgery and its potential side effects. If you are considering this treatment, it’s important to know the advantages and disadvantages of the gastric balloon procedure and the cost of the balloon in Turkey.
What is a gastric balloon?
An intragastric balloon is a medical device made of Silicone that can be inflated. It is inserted into the stomach using an endoscope and then filled with Saline to expand the balloon and take up space in the stomach. This helps reduce the amount of food a patient can eat in one meal, leading to weight loss. As in all obesity procedures, the patient must follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly to ensure the best results as quickly as possible.
Types of gastric balloons in Turkey
After verifying their safety and effectiveness in treatment, three types of gastric balloons were approved for use in Turkey. These types are:
Orbera™ balloon
In 2015, a type of gastric balloon was approved in the United States, which is still used today. It involves inserting a single silicone balloon into the stomach using an endoscope after partially anesthetizing the patient. The balloon is then filled with saline solution. The Orbera balloon can hold up to 550 cc of saline solution, is designed to stay in the stomach for up to six months, and must be removed after this period.
Reshape™ balloon
This type uses a dual balloon system where two balloons are placed in the stomach, occupying more space than the Orbera balloon and resulting in more effective weight loss. The first balloon is inserted using an endoscope. After 24 hours, another balloon is placed using an endoscope to fill the balloons with about 750 to 950 cc of saline solution.
Elipse balloon
There is a new type of balloon available that does not require an endoscope or anesthesia for insertion. Instead, it can be easily swallowed, making it very popular in Turkey due to its ease of application, safety, and proven success in achieving weight loss. The procedure involves taking three capsules, with one tablet taken at each doctor’s visit; you can read more about the Elipse gastric balloon in Turkey.
Advantages and disadvantages of gastric balloon
When it comes to weight loss, the Gastric Balloon procedure offers more benefits than its disadvantages.
Benefits of Gastric Balloon in Turkey
The intragastric balloon makes you feel full faster when you eat, reducing the stomach’s secretion of the hormone “ghrelin,” which is responsible for appetite and hunger. If combined with exercise and a healthy diet, the patient can achieve excellent results quickly.
Studies have shown that gastric balloon can effectively reduce a person’s weight by over 10% of their body weight in just six months. This procedure involves placing a balloon inside the stomach using an endoscope, which is less invasive and carries fewer risks than surgical procedures like sleeve gastrectomy or BPD/DS surgery.
The disadvantages
After the balloon is placed, some patients may experience annoying digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. However, these symptoms typically resolve within a week.
As for the complications related to the procedure, they are rare and may include the following:
- Over-inflation of the gastric balloon
- Rupture of the balloon
- Acute pancreatitis due to the stomach being filled and pressing on the pancreas
- continues feeling annoying digestive symptoms
- The gastric balloon may increase the risk of developing stomach ulcers
The balloon is a temporary procedure that is removed after a specified period. Most balloons are designed to last up to six months; another balloon can be reinstalled if needed.
Who makes a good candidate for a gastric balloon procedure?
A patient’s body mass index (BMI) must be between 30 and 40 to be eligible for a gastric balloon procedure. The procedure is not recommended for those who are not considered obese. However, if the patient meets specific requirements, they may be able to undergo the procedure such as:
- Failure to lose weight with diet and exercise
- Severe obesity and not able to undergo bariatric surgery
- Age over 18 years old
- the patient is motivated for the procedure and can live a healthy lifestyle after balloon placement
To undergo this procedure, the person must not have any medical conditions that make the procedure impossible to perform. These conditions include peptic ulcers, previous stomach surgery, stomach deformities, or chronic liver diseases that affect clotting factors, which can make the person prone to bleeding.
The best way to know whether a gastric balloon procedure suits you is to contact our specialized medical team. You can request a free consultation through our website.
What happens after an intragastric balloon procedure
After the balloon placement procedure, you can leave the hospital or clinic and return home immediately. You can resume your regular activities as well. However, it is recommended that you avoid eating solid foods in the first few days after the procedure. Instead, stick to liquids to give your stomach some rest. Once you feel ready, you can gradually return to eating solid foods.
Most people have lost a good percentage of their excess weight after the procedure. The amount of weight loss achieved depends on how committed the patient is to making healthy lifestyle changes. The balloon is a temporary procedure that must be removed later, so following a healthy lifestyle is essential to avoid regaining weight.
It is difficult to estimate the weight the patient will lose after the procedure. Still, studies have shown an average percentage of 20% of the patient’s weight before gastric balloon placement. This percentage equals three times what can be lost with exercise and diet alone. Most weight loss occurs during the first two weeks after gastric balloon placement.
As mentioned earlier, the balloon is usually removed after six months of placement. The doctor will inform you when you should visit back to remove the balloon.
Cost of intragastric balloon in Turkey
In Turkey, many centers perform gastric balloon procedures of various types. The cost varies from one center to another depending on the type of balloon and the patient’s condition. However, the price of gastric balloon placement in Turkey usually starts at $1500, much lower than in other countries. The gastric balloon cost in the United States is estimated at around $8000.
Turkey is well known for its various obesity treatment procedures, and the Bimaristan Medical team provides excellent services in this field at the lowest possible cost. Our center has a team of doctors and nutrition specialists who help patients step by step in their treatment journey to Turkey.
Finally, a gastric balloon is one of the best options to lose weight without surgery; it has several advantages that make it one of the best methods for weight loss. It is safer and less expensive than other surgical procedures, and Turkey has worked to provide the latest types of balloons at lower prices, including the latest Elipse swallowable capsule.
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