What is gastric balloon ?
The Gastric Balloon system comprises of a soft balloon that may inflate, a particular tube that is used to place the balloon in the stomach and fill it with fluids, and a unique liquid filler for the balloon itself. This design enables the physician to insert a gastric balloon into the stomach of the patient by passing it via the mouth and oesophagus first, and then filling it with sterile saltwater solution. After being filled, the balloon becomes too large to pass through the intestine and instead floats freely in the stomach.
What to Expect from Gastric Balloon ?
It might help to consider the role of the stomach and small intestine in the normal situation. When you eat something it enters your esophagus and travels into your stomach. When food leaves the stomach it enters the small intestine, which is composed of three distinct parts. The first part of the small intestine is the duodenum, followed by the jejunum and the ileum. Each section has a specific role. In the stomach, iron and vitamin B12 are absorbed.
The three parts of the small intestine are the powerhouses in terms of calorie and nutrient absorption. In addition, most of the absorption of vitamin D and calcium occurs in the duodenum and first portion of the jejunum.
There are two types of weight loss surgery— restrictive and malabsorptive. In restrictive surgery, the size of the stomach is dramatically reduced. This type of surgery makes a person very full, very fast. Overeating results in a very unpleasant feeling and often vomiting. After a restrictive procedure, weight loss is the result of not being able to consume calories. In malabsorptive surgery, a large portion of the small intestine is bypassed, making the food you eat pass through only a part of the small intestine. Weight loss following this type of procedure is the result of an inability to absorb calories.
This is because food does not come in contact with the bypassed portion of the small intestine. Although malabsorptive surgery can result in tremendous weight loss, it does have some drawbacks.
Who can use gastric balloon ?
People who weigh at least 41 % more than they should and have not been successful in losing weight in a sustainable manner using other approaches are the target audience for this weight reduction programme. People who need to have another operation that is vital to their health or survival but are disqualified because of their weight may find that the gastric balloon is particularly useful.
How is the gastric balloon inserted into the stomach?
Because it goes in through the mouth, putting a balloon in the stomach does not require surgery. During the first part of the surgery, the doctor used an endoscopic probe to do a preliminary check of the stomach.
If there are any problems, the treatment is continued by putting a balloon through the mouth, down the oesophagus, and into the stomach. Silicone, which is soft and flexible, is used to make the balloon.
When it is small and easy to swallow, it is put in the stomach in the form of the blank. Local anaesthesia is also given to help with the process of swallowing a balloon. Muscle relaxants can also be made from drugs.
Once the balloon is in the stomach, sterile saline is poured into it through a small tube attached to the balloon. When the balloon is full, the doctor gently pulls on the end of the tube to take it out. Balloon has a valve that closes itself, so it can’t be opened. Since then, the balloon has been free to float around in the stomach. The procedure usually takes between 20 and 30 minutes. After that, the patient is under medical supervision for a while, and then they can go home or stay in the clinic for more observation.
How long gastric balloon last?
Gastric balloons can last 6 months. No long-term usage. Time damages the balloon’s stomach acidic environment, causing it to burst. If your doctor suggests using a balloon longer than 6 months, replace it. Doctors may prescribe medicines to reduce stomach acidity when using balloons.
How is a gastric balloon taken out of the stomach?
The balloon is taken out the same way it was put in: through the mouth and oesophagus. Before the patient is taken out, a muscle relaxant and a local anaesthetic are put in their throat. The doctor pokes a hole in the balloon in the stomach with an endoscopic probe and a special tube. He or she then grabs the balloon and pulls it out of the patient.
With a gastric balloon, how much weight can I lose?
Please keep in mind that the gastric balloon does not cause weight loss by itself. It’s only possible if you eat right and change the way you eat. How much weight you lose depends a lot on the type of diet and how well you stick to it. Whether or not you can keep the weight you lost after the balloon comes off depends on how well you can adjust to a new way of life, especially when it comes to how you eat and how much you exercise.
What are the possible side effects of a gastric balloon?
During the first few days after the placement of the balloon, the patient is likely to experience nausea and vomiting. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may recommend medications or other treatments. There is a chance that weight reduction will be modest or non-existant when utilising the balloon. Once more, the importance of patient participation in the introduction and implementation of a good diet cannot be overstated. Additionally, fast weight reduction might lead to additional health issues. Before having the operation, we advise you to address these concerns with your doctor.