Endoscopic Gastric Balloon
It is true that obesity, which is the biggest problem of recent years and one of the most important problems, brings with it many diseases that shorten the life span of the person.
In the past, a lifestyle change was offered in the treatment of obesity, in which the calorie intake was reduced and the calories expended were increased.
However, studies conducted today show that lifestyle changes are not effective in some patients, and that the weight lost is regained after 2 years in the majority of patients who achieve successful weight loss.
Endoscopic gastric balloon application is recommended for those who cannot lose weight effectively and continue to gain weight despite lifestyle changes.
How is the endoscopic gastric balloon made?
In other words, bariatric surgery operations (stomach reduction sleeve gastroplasty, sleeve gastrectomy, bypass surgeries) effectively support sustainable weight loss.
However, patients who do not want to have surgery or who are not suitable for surgery demand endoscopic methods more. In fact, we know that effective results are seen in the endoscopic gastric balloon application, which is the most preferred method among the methods performed endoscopically, that is, by entering the mouth.
The procedure applied is to enter the patient’s mouth with an endoscope, inflate a balloon into his stomach, and deliver the balloon to a certain volume. Thus, while the total stomach volume is reduced by placing a substance that occupies the stomach, the movement of the stomach is never deformed.
As a result, the appetite of the patients decreases and their capacity to eat decreases. The fact that it is only a reversible method is another advantage. Therefore, when the patient is not satisfied with the procedure for any reason, the gastric balloon can be easily removed. Today, we can say that there are gastric balloons that can stay for 6 months to 1 year.
In which diseases can endoscopic gastric balloon be applied to whom?
In which diseases can endoscopic gastric balloon be applied to whom?In the historical development of the gastric balloon, this procedure was used for patients with a body mass index above 40, who definitely needed surgery but had a high risk of surgery, and who were in low general condition. In line with these results, you should know that due to its advantages, it has become an alternative to bariatric surgery in some special patient groups.
According to the World Health Organization, those with a body mass index above 30 are considered obese. Endoscopic gastric balloon is applied directly to obesity patients with a body mass index above 35. Thus, patients with a body mass index above 30 are evaluated if they have concomitant diseases. With this result, obesity treatment is applied if there are concomitant diseases such as diabetes, sleep apnea and blood pressure.
For example, in patients who are morbidly obese and have surgery, but have a very high risk of surgery, a gastric balloon is inserted as a bridge treatment. Thus, the patient can fall below a certain weight threshold. Thus, pulmonary functions and even cardiac functions show improvement. In terms of feature, the risk of anesthesia is reduced. He is also getting ready for surgery.
Only when it is suitable for surgery, the balloon is removed and the surgical procedure is performed. In summary, we can say that endoscopic obesity treatments are appropriate in patients who are obese, have concomitant diseases that cannot be controlled, and patients who need to be prepared for surgery. About the endoscopic gastric balloon In addition to the balloon types filled with air or liquid, balloon types that can stay for 6 months or 1 year and can be applied only by swallowing without endoscopic method or endoscopy are used as a procedure.
Which balloon will be applied is determined together with the patient according to the patient’s criteria after the first evaluation by the physician. In
Which Situations Is The Gastric Balloon Not Appropriate?
Before the procedure, before the gastric balloon application, it is necessary to investigate whether there is another disease that causes the patient to gain weight. In addition, the patient may gain weight due to a disease related to the adrenal glands or thyroid. What we want to say is that the patient is also examined in terms of internal diseases.
However, if there is no pathological weight gain problem, we can say that the patient is a candidate for endoscopic obesity treatment. In addition, after the first examination, whether the patient has an eating disorder or a psychiatric problem is definitely examined. It is observed whether there is a condition called binge eating syndrome, which is very common in our age. In fact, as an example, it should be foreseen that not only endoscopic but also none of the obesity treatment methods may work in a patient who opens the cabinet and throws something into his mouth while passing by the refrigerator or cannot stop without taking a bite from the pot while passing in front of the oven.
Especially pharmacological treatments, neither endoscopic treatments nor surgical treatments may not yield positive results in these patients. Thus, it is important to distinguish these diseases first.
Also, if there is a psychological problem from the past, it is important to solve it first. Thus, in the first evaluation, first of all, it should be evaluated together with psychiatry to determine whether the patient has an eating disorder or not.
Secondly, it is a priority that the patient aims to lose weight. Endoscopic treatment phase is discussed with patients who complete these conditions. The patient is told how the procedure is performed and what awaits him.