Bariatric surgery (obesity surgeries) is very effective in the treatment of obesity, but only a few of the patients are convinced of the surgery because of the complications it carries. Only less than 1% of obese patients who are eligible for bariatric surgery agree to have surgery; This is estimated to be due to the risk of post-operative complications and death and the associated high costs. In addition, the option of surgery is not valid for overweight (BMI; 25-30) and Class 1 Obese (BMI; 30-35 kg/m2) patients.
Therefore, for patients who have failed conservative treatment (diet, exercise, lifestyle changes) or who are not yet surgical candidates or who refuse surgery for the above-mentioned reasons, endoscopic bariatric and metabolic changes to provide less invasive options beyond medication and surgery. Treatments have emerged over the years.
Endoscopic bariatric techniques, such as the intragastric balloon (gastric balloon), have become a very attractive alternative for weight loss, and in some studies, sustained weight loss, generally low complication rate, and applicability to a wider patient population (e.g. in class I and class II obesity). ) has resulted in increased use.
Gastric Balloon provides weight loss by restricting the stomach volume due to the space it constantly occupies in the stomach.
In addition, it stimulates the feeling of satiety and satiety by triggering the gastrointestinal neurohormonal pathways with the changes it provides in gastric emptying, and provides a constant feeling of satiety.
Such devices have been in development for decades. Originally in the 1980s, the Garren-Edwards Gastric Bubble was a hollow cylindrical device inserted endoscopically, filled with 200-220 mL of air, and designed to be left in place for 4 months. And she was able to lose weight.
After the Garren-Edwards Gastric Balloon, the gastric balloon was redesigned and multiple products were developed.
Developed Gastric Balloons:
Orbera and Obera 360 (Apollo Endosurgery, Austin, TX),
ReShape Integrated Dual Balloon (Apollo Endosurgery),
Obalon Balloon System (Obalon Theraputics Inc, Carlsbad, CA),
Elipse (Allurion Technologies, Wellesley, MA),
Spatz3 Adjustable Balloon System (Spatz Medical, Great Neck, NY),
Heliosphere BAG (Helioscopie, France),
Silimed Balloon (Silimed, Brazil),
Medsil (Medsil, Russia),
Endalis End-Top (Endalis Laboratory, France) and
Easy Life Gastric Balloon (Life Partners, France).
Many features such as the design, shape, filling volume, adjustability and residence time of these balloons vary, and their effects on clinical tolerability and weight loss may be different.
Therefore, when choosing a gastric balloon, it is important to determine patient characteristics, or rather ‘personal balloon’…
What is Gastric Balloon?
Gastric balloon, inflated with liquid or air, durable silicone, polyurethan etc. It is a medical material made of materials.
The Gastric Balloon is a safe, non-surgical option for temporary (4-6-12 months) use in the treatment of obesity and is effective in achieving gradual, healthy weight loss.
In order for the patient to lose weight effectively, it is essential to add lifestyle changes, changes in eating habits and exercise simultaneously to the gastric balloon.
Regulation of eating habits contributes to weight loss during treatment and ensures that the balloon is maintained for a long time after removal.
Who can get a Gastric Balloon?
According to the statements made after the Brazilian Intragastric Balloon Consensus Meeting held in Sao Paulo, Brazil in June 2016,
In order to insert a gastric balloon;
*After 12 years of age, puberty must be completed,
*Although there is no upper age limit, each patient should be evaluated individually.
*Body mass index (BMI) must be greater than 25 kg/m2,
* Diet must have been tried before,
BMI has no influence on the choice of balloon type, this is at the discretion of the physician.
In which situations can the gastric balloon not be inserted?
• If there is an active stomach ulcer,
• If you have stomach or esophageal varices,
• If there is a large hiatal hernia,
• If there is previous gastric surgery. . .
Types of Gastric Balloons
Gastric balloons produced today; The medical material used, its structural features, filling properties, whether it is adjustable or not, can be applied with endoscopy or swallowed.
offers options. . .
Swallowable Gastric Balloon:
Elipse Balloon
Elipse gastric balloon is a type of gastric balloon that can be swallowed. This high-tech gastric balloon is compressed into a swallowable capsule. There is no need for endoscopy and anesthesia for the application.
And after about 4 months, its contents are discharged by itself and are naturally excreted from the body. It is possible to lose 10-15% of the weight in 4 months.
The ‘swallowable gastric balloon’, which can be applied to people aged between 27 – 40 and 18 – 65 with a BMI, is a highly preferred option due to its many advantages.
6 Month Gastric Balloon:
Medsil Balloon
It is a gastric balloon that is applied with endoscopy and remains in the stomach for 6 months. 6 Month Balloons are ideal for people with a Body Mass Index of 27-40. It is possible to give 15-20 KG at the end of the process. There are some disadvantages such as insertion and removal of the 6-month-old gastric balloon with endoscopy, and a higher likelihood of discomfort such as nausea and cramping during the adjustment period. However, since the price of the 6-Month Gastric Balloon is more affordable, it is an option that is often preferred by patients who have less weight to lose.
Adjustable Gastric Balloon:
Spatz3 Balloon
The ‘SPATZ3 Gastric Balloon’ is a gastric balloon with adjustable filling volume. Other gastric balloons are inflated once during application and remain at the same volume until removed. The ‘SPATZ3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon’ is a balloon that can stay in the stomach for a year and can be started with low volumes and increased over time. It is applied by endoscopy, and the adjustment and removal process is also done by endoscopy.
