Gastric Balloon in Iran

Obesity Consequences

Inserting a balloon into your stomach will help you lose weight. Weight loss can reduce the risk of severe health and obesity-related conditions, such as:

1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
2. Heart disease or stroke
3. Hypertension
4. Obstructive sleep apnea
5. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
6. Type 2 Diabetes

Gastroesophageal Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when gastric acid repeatedly flows back into the tube connecting the mouth and the stomach (esophagus). Gastroesophageal reflux can irritate your esophageal mucosa. Many people experience gastric acid reflux from time to time. Gastric acid reflux is mild and occurs twice a week, and moderate or severe acid reflux happens once a week.

Common signs and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) include:

1. Burning sensation in the chest (heartburn)
2. Chest Pain
3. Difficulty swallowing
4. The feeling of a lump in the throat

When is the Gastric Balloon Method Used?

The gastric balloon procedure may be a suitable solution for you if:

1. Your body mass index (BMI) is between 30 and 40.
2. You want to experience a healthy life.
3. You have never had gastric or esophageal surgery.

Possible Risks of Gastric Balloon Surgery

1. Very soon after placing the balloon in the stomach, pain and nausea occur in one-third of patients. However, these symptoms usually last only a few days after the balloon is inserted. These symptoms can generally be treated with oral medications at home.
2. Although rare, serious side effects may occur after the balloon is inserted into the stomach. In case of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, contact your doctor immediately at any time after surgery.
3. One of the most critical risks of this surgery is balloon bloating. If the balloon drains, it may move in your digestive system, causing blockages. If this blockage occurs, another surgery is necessary to prevent your health from being compromised.
4. Other possible risks of gastric balloon include hyperinflation, acute pancreatitis, ulceration, or perforation of the stomach wall, which may require surgery.

What is Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a flat and long organ located behind and in the upper abdomen. The pancreas produces enzymes that help digestion in addition to hormones that help regulate sugar control (glucose). Pancreatitis can occur as acute pancreatitis, i.e., it appears suddenly and lasts for many days. Mild cases of pancreatitis may heal untreated, but severe cases can cause life-threatening complications.

Pancreatitis Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of pancreatitis may vary depending on your physical condition.

Acute signs and symptoms of pancreatitis include:

1. Upper abdominal pain
2. Abdominal pain
3. Fever
4. Fast heartbeat
5. Nausea
6. Vomiting

Gastric Balloon Preoperative Instructions

Before gastric balloon placement, your healthcare team will give you specific instructions on preparing for the procedure. You may be required to do various laboratory tests and examinations before the operation. You may need to limit what you eat and drink, as well as the medications you take, during the weeks leading up to the procedure. You may also need to exercise regularly.

During the Gastric Balloon Procedure

The gastric balloon procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. The doctor inserts a thin tube (catheter) loaded with the gastric balloon into the stomach through the throat during this procedure. Next, the doctor will perform an endoscopy. This means that a flexible tube with a camera attached enters the stomach from the throat, allowing your doctor to see the balloon as it is filled with saline. This procedure takes about half an hour. You can usually go home one to two hours after the procedure.

Post-Operative Instructions of Gastric Balloon

You can drink a small amount of transparent fluids about six hours after surgery. Generally, the liquid diet lasts until the beginning of the second week, after which you can try soft foods.

You can probably eat a regular meal about three weeks after the balloon is inserted into your stomach. The balloons inside the stomach remain in place for up to 6 months and are then removed using endoscopy. At that time, a new balloon may be inserted, depending on the schedule the doctor determines.

The Result of Gastric Balloon Surgery

The balloon in your stomach makes you feel full faster than normal. This means that you will eat less. Another reason may be that the balloon inside the stomach reduces the rate of gastric emptying. Another reason may be that the balloon controls satiety hormones. The amount of weight loss also depends on lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise.

According to a summary of available treatments, losing about 7% to 15% of body weight within six months of having a balloon inserted into the stomach is common. The overall reduction in excess weight is from 30% to 47%. Like other procedures and surgeries that lead to significant weight loss, an intragastric balloon may help improve or resolve obesity-related conditions, including:

1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
2. Heart disease
3. High blood pressure
4. Obstructive sleep apnea
5. Osteoarthritis (joint pain)
6. Type 2 diabetes
7. High cholesterol
8. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Gastric Balloon is not effective if

You may not lose significant weight after any weight loss or surgery, and you may even gain weight again, even if there is no problem with your procedure. This weight gain may occur if you do not follow the recommended lifestyle changes. Permanent healthy changes in your diet and regular physical activity and exercise are essential to preventing weight gain.

Benefits of Gastric Balloon

1. No gastric surgery is required to perform a gastric balloon.
2. Placing a balloon in the stomach is quick and easy.

Note: Some balloons require anesthesia to be placed.

1. Placing a balloon in the stomach causes weight loss.
2. When combined with a diet and exercise program, it can lead to long-term weight loss.
3. You can expect to lose between 9 to 22 kg based on your lifestyle changes.
4. Most patients lose about 30% of their excess body weight or 10% to 30% of their overall weight.
5. Feeling full faster and less hungry

Disadvantages of Gastric Balloon

1. One of the common complications of gastric balloon surgery is gastric reflux. To prevent it, various drugs are prescribed.
2. Nausea and vomiting are very common during the first few days.
3. Vomiting after eating is unusual in the first few weeks.
4. Your weight will remain constant for a short time after the operation.
5. After this operation, you will often suffer from stomach pain.
6. You will not experience a restful sleep, and this insomnia is often due to gastroesophageal reflux at night.
7. Acute pancreatitis is a rare risk associated with ballooning.

Life after Gastric Balloon Surgery

• You will experience a lot of pain right after the balloons are inserted, and this pain can last for weeks. Most of these pains are normal. But if you feel anything abnormal, it is crucial to tell your doctor, as it may be life-threatening.
• You may not feel hungry until the first week after surgery. Some patients may also experience nausea, which will worsen by consuming a variety of foods.
• You may experience significant weight loss in the first week. Most men lose 3 to 6 pounds in the first week. Among women, this ranges from 1 to 1 and 3 kg.
• In the second week after the balloon is placed in the stomach, your appetite returns to food, but you satisfiedbe satisfied again with a bit of food.
• After about 3 to 6 weeks, your appetite returns to preoperative levels and you can eat more. During this period, you must eat slowly so that the body can easily digest the food.
• Pay more attention to abnormal symptoms than ever before. Also, watch out for symptoms such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and nausea.
• You may still experience weight loss for 7 or 12 months after the balloon is placed in your stomach. But this weight loss is slower than the first year after surgery. You need to follow a unique exercise program and stick to it for the rest of your life. If you can’t make it to the gym 5 or 6 days a week, you can walk every day instead. From week 12 to week 26, you should focus more on weight loss than ever before.

Gastric Balloon Diet

Before gastric balloon placement, it is necessary to follow a clear liquid diet for three days before the procedure. During this time, you should be on a transparent liquid diet consisting of:

1. Water
2. Black tea or coffee without sugar
3. Vegetable juice (without pulp) such as celery juice
4. Pumpkin

In the continuation of this article, we will provide you with detailed information about the diet after gastric balloon placement. If you switch from liquids to solids quickly, you may experience problems such as stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.

It is therefore imperative that you plan and follow a proper diet. After gastric balloon, you need to adhere to a modified diet for two weeks to follow a regular diet. This modified diet is divided into three different parts:

1. Liquids
2. Purees
3. Soft food

Use only light liquids for a week. Usually, you should maintain a 20 to 30-minute gap between eating and drinking to get the most out of a balloon in your stomach. Remember to stand up after eating and while eating. Drink water before feeling thirsty, and don’t stay thirsty for long, as you cannot drink a lot of water at once. Sip water slowly and make sure your body can absorb water. There are a few things you need to understand to get the most effective results.

Suitable consumable fluids after gastric balloon surgery

1. Skim or semi-skim milk
2. Protein drinks
3. Clear soups
4. Herbal or fruit teas
5. Tea and coffee (do not use sweeteners and sugars)
6. Sugar-free jelly
7. Diluted vegetable juice

Diet after Gastric Balloon from Day 8 to 12

All food at this stage should be pure and completely clear, and without pulp. You pass through your stomach quickly with pureed foods. Use a blender to mix foods. If you want to feel fuller during the diet, add high-protein foods to your meals. It is advisable to consume 5 to 6 small meals throughout the day.

Diet after Gastric Balloon on Days 13 and 14

In these two days, try soft, well-cooked foods that can be crushed with a fork. Avoid the following foods:

1. Sweet corn, peas, celery, fresh tomatoes, potato peel, nuts, and parmesan cheese
2. Dry foods such as biscuits
3. Carbonated and sweet drinks and alcohol

Essential Tips for Better Results after Gastric Balloon

These tips include:

1. Avoid carbonated and alcoholic beverages.
2. Drink 1.5 liters of water during the day to keep your body hydrated.
3. All liquids should be clear and pulp-free.