What is a Swallowable Gastric Balloon?
Swallowable Gastric Balloon: Swallowable Gastric Balloon is a gastric balloon set with a gastric balloon compressed into a capsule with a size of about 12×25 mm and a 75-80 cm hose connected to it and swallowed with plenty of water without the need for endoscopy and anesthesia.
How is a Swallowable Gastric Balloon placed in the stomach?
The part of the balloon compressed into the capsule is swallowed with plenty of water. To verify whether the balloon has reached the stomach, an X-ray is taken. Once it is certain that the balloon has been placed in the stomach, the balloon is inflated with a special liquid (around 450-500 cc) by means of the hose left outside.
How does a Swallowable Gastric Balloon help weight loss?
Swallowable Gastric Balloon works on the same mechanism of action as other gastric balloons. Gastric balloons occupy part of the stomach volume, thus allowing you to feel full with less food. The balloon also acts as a plug at the gastric outlet and thus allows the stomach to empty more slowly, which ensures a longer period of satiety and consumption of less food.
What advantages does Swallowable Gastric Balloon offer compared to the Removable Balloon?
- The procedure does not require sedation (mild anesthesia).
- It is performed without endoscopy.
- The balloon does not need to be removed.
What disadvantages does Swallowable Gastric Balloon offer compared to the Removable Balloon?
- The volume of the Swallowable Balloon cannot be altered.
- As no endoscopic examination is performed before the procedure, any active bleeding, active infection, tumoral formations, suspicious lesions in the stomach are overlooked. Also, the balloon is placed without checking the functionality of the pylorus at the gastric outlet since no endoscopy is performed. The procedure may fail to yield an effective result in case of a leaking pylorus.
- The procedure costs higher than the removable balloon.
What are the complications that may arise during Swallowable Gastric Balloon placement?
No serious complications are likely to occur if the procedure is performed by a cautious and experienced team. However, the most important complication stands out as the possibility of developing serious complications that may arise if the balloon is assumed to be in the stomach but inflated in the esophagus or small intestine. The risk is always present, albeit small, when it is not confirmed by endoscopy that the balloon is in the stomach. To confirm that the balloon is placed in the stomach, an X-ray is taken.
What are the discomforts that may occur after the placement of a Swallowable Gastric Balloon?
The most prevalent discomfort is a feeling of fullness, nausea and vomiting. However, most of these symptoms disappear spontaneously after the first 24 hours. Sometimes it may take time for patients to get used to and tolerate the newly-placed balloon. Occasionally, prolonged periods of nausea and vomiting may occur. Most of the symptoms in these cases are relieved by simple medical treatments.
Please contact us for further information about endoscopic treatments for obesity and swallowable gastric balloon prices You can reach us via E-mail or Whatsapp. Gastric Sleeve Surgery, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Kanlıöz
Before & After
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It is recommended not to stop oral intake for 8 hours before the procedure. No further preparation is required.
No. Swallowable balloon bursts spontaneously after about 16 weeks and is excreted naturally.
It is expected to lose about 7-15% of the body weight over a 16-week period with the swallowable balloon.
If proven to be effective in weight loss, there are no medical drawbacks to repeat the procedure over and over again.