Gastric Balloon in Turkey from A to Z

  
Medically reviewed & verified by: Prof. Dr. Halil Alis

Written by: ClinicAdvisor

What is Gastric Balloon?

Gastric balloon in Turkey is a non-surgical option for weight loss. It’s a good alternative to bariatric surgeries that require a surgical intervention. A gastric balloon is one of the reversible bariatric surgeries as it can be removed at any time.

The balloon is made of soft silicone and it’s approved by the FDA. It is endoscopically placed in the stomach to reduce the size of portions and limits the stomach’s capacity to hold in food. The main aim is to make people reach satiety faster. 

How Does a Gastric Balloon in Turkey Work?

Gastric balloon in Turkey is done by endoscopically inserting an inflatable balloon in the stomach and filling it with a saline fluid. The balloon remains in the stomach for 6-8 months, after that it is removed. 

The process takes around 20 minutes and it’s performed under local anesthesia with sedation. Once the procedure is finished the patient stays under observation for 2 hours. After that he/she can be discharged from the hospital.

Who is Eligible for a Gastric Balloon?

Gastric balloon is a good option if you:

• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or more.
• Have been struggling to lose weight the traditional ways.
• Too overweight to get a surgical intervention and need to lose weight before getting a major surgery.

How Much Weight Can You Lose With Gastric Balloon?

Gastric balloon alone will help you lose weight as it limits the amount of food you eat BUT without your commitment and introducing new changes like eating healthy and exercising, you will not be able to hit your desired weight. 

With a well-managed diet and physical activity patients can expect to lose up to 20 kg within 6 months. 

Gastric Balloon Pros and Cons

Every procedure either surgical or non-surgical comes with its advantages and disadvantages. In the case of a gastric balloon the pros weigh out the cons because the side effects are temporary.

Here are some of the common pros and cons of a gastric balloon surgery:

Pros: 

•  Losing around 15-20 kg.
•  Reversible and the balloon can be removed at any time.
•  Minimally invasive and doesn’t take a lot of time.
•  No recovery.
•  No hospitalization required.

Cons:

• Stomach cramps.
• Nausea and vomiting for the first few days.
• Discomfort during sleeping for the first couple weeks. 
• In some cases, leakage and shrinkage of the balloon could occur.

Gastric Balloon Risks and Complications

Gastric balloon is a non-invasive procedure with a low incidence of complications. We can call them side effects more than risks as it last for a few days. These are some of gastric balloon side effects:

• Cramps.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Deflation of the balloon and leakage.
• Ulcer.

How Much is a Gastric Balloon in Turkey?

Gastric balloon is a relatively cheap procedure as compared to other bariatric surgeries. In Turkey you can get it at a very reasonable price. 

Prices for a gastric balloon in Turkey start from 1500 $ up to 4000 $. Prices vary according to the experience of the surgeon, place of treatment and the type of balloon used. 

Gastric Balloon Recovery

Gastric balloon is an outpatient surgery that does not require a patient to stay at the hospital. For that reason, the recovery is very fast as it includes no incisions.

The only thing the patient will face after the procedure is some mild side effects such as the ones mentioned above. 

Preparing for Gastric Balloon

During the days leading to your gastric balloon surgery, you must start preparing for it by follow some instructions:

• You will be asked to fast and not eat anything 12 hours prior to the procedure. 
• Also, you must completely stop drinking any kind of fluids 6 hours before the procedure starts. 

It’s very important to follow these instructions or else you will experience very bad nausea after the procedure finishes. 

After Gastric Balloon in Turkey

After getting a gastric balloon in Turkey, you will be monitored for a couple of hours before being discharged. It’s now time to prepare yourself for a new lifestyle. 

You dietitian will prepare your dietary program which you will have to follow carefully to avoid any complications. 

During the first few days you will constantly feel nausea whenever you drink anything. This is because the stomach’s capacity for food intake is limited. Vomiting is also another side effect that persists for a few days. 

It’s recommended that you take your time when drinking. Start to drink slowly and in more frequent sips. Your body must stay hydrated so aim for 1.5-2 liters of water per day. 

Gastric Balloon Diet

The post-operative diet after gastric balloon goes through some stages. Starting with fluids to soft food and moving on to solid food. It’s very important to adhere to the dietary program that will be given to you to reduce the pain, nausea and vomiting afterwards.

Here is a breakdown of the dietary program:

Stage #1: Fluids 

(Day 1-2): you will be on clear liquids such as plain soup (without lumps), lactose free or skimmed milk.

(Day 3-7): Now you can move into fresh juices like apple, orange or carrot juice, plain yogurt, protein shake. 

Stage #2: Pureed Food

From day (7 to 14) at this stage you can start eating pureed food such as:

• Vegetables and fruits.
• Chicken.
• Fish.

Stage #3: Soft Food

From day (14 to 30) you can start having soft foods cut into small pieces and cooked with broth to make it easy to digest.

Stage #4: Solid Food

After completing one month now you can start eating solid foods.

Reminder! Keep in mind that you must train yourself to eat and drink small amounts at more frequent times.

Sources:

1. Wikipedia: Gastric Balloon 
2. Mayo Clinic: Intragastric Balloon
3. Columbia Surgery: Gastric Balloon Overview