Big weight loss without surgery? This is how the gastric balloon works - THIS SERVICE IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE!
The therapy is recommended for overweight people whose body mass index (BMI) is between 30 and 40 kg/m2 and who have already tried several weight loss alternatives without success, but were unable to lose weight or maintain the weight loss. During the endoscopic, non-surgical procedure, a gastric balloon is inserted into the stomach to limit food intake. By reducing the capacity of the stomach, the balloon gets the patient used to eating small portions at given intervals, which leads to weight loss. The intervention does not change the anatomical structure and is removed after 6 or 12 months.
Dr. Péter Fuszek emphasizes that it is important that the patient undertakes to carry out a long-term diet and lifestyle change program in addition to the insertion of the balloon, the aim of which is to lose an appropriate amount of weight and to maintain it. Unfortunately, weight loss cannot be guaranteed or maintained without lifestyle changes.
Who can and who can't?
Based on age, the balloon can be inserted between 18-65 years, and based on body mass index, the method is accepted for patients between 30-40. Before gastric balloon therapy, the patient who wants to lose weight must undergo a full examination to find out if he has any health problems that could be an influencing factor for the procedure. In addition to laboratory tests, a dietitian and gastroenterologist also deal with those who want to lose weight, but it is important that they are also mentally ready for the intervention, which is why a psychologist is also involved in the process. However, gastric balloon is not recommended for everyone. If there is a history of gastrointestinal surgery, if the patient has a serious anatomical abnormality, if she is pregnant, or if she plans to become pregnant within 1 year, then this is not the right solution for losing weight.
How does the balloon get into the stomach?
The intervention is performed under anesthesia and is not much different from a gastroscopy. With the help of a gastroscope, the silicone-based balloon is placed in the stomach, and then filled with 400-700 ml of colored physiological saline solution using a syringe. The balloon is inserted on an empty stomach, so neither solid nor liquid food can be consumed on the day of the intervention, before the examination.
If the patient adheres to the pre-arranged and learned dietary changes and takes the acid reducer according to the doctor's instructions, he will soon get used to being able to eat only small amounts of food - this is where weight loss starts, which with a 1-year gastric balloon can be up to 15-50 kilograms can also mean minus.
Life after the balloon
There is life after the balloon, of course, if the patient continues to follow the diet and exercise regularly after its removal. In this way, body weight can be maintained and even reduced! During the months spent with the gastric balloon, patients usually transition more easily to the new lifestyle, get used to eating little more often, and the successes achieved also strengthen them in following the rules of a healthy lifestyle.
Weight loss can significantly improve the patient's blood pressure, laboratory values, and joint complaints, depending on the number of kilos lost. The general feeling of well-being, the ability to perform and the quality of life also change in a positive direction, and life expectancy may increase. The dose of the medications taken up to that point can be reduced over time or even eliminated as a result of losing weight.
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