Why Is the Gastric Balloon Perforated?
Gastric balloon is applied by endoscopic method. While this silicone balloon, which helps to reduce the volume of the stomach, is placed and inflated, the patient does not feel any pain, as he/she is under sedation. Since the gastric balloon is made of silicone, it can be punctured like other silicones, and the air or liquid in it can come out.
Contrary to what most people think, gastric balloons that do not burst can be punctured due to many different reasons. Although the gastric balloon is produced to be resistant to stomach acid, high levels of stomach acid can cause the gastric balloon to rupture. However, stomach acid can rise or fall due to different reasons.
In addition to stomach acid, various external factors can also cause perforation of the gastric balloon. There is a risk of perforation of the gastric balloon as a result of an external blow. When the gastric balloon is punctured, the stomach reacts in the same way as after administration. In case of perforation of the gastric balloon, a gastric balloon is placed in the stomach again after the examination of the patient.
Side effects such as bloating, abdominal pain, increased reflux, cramps and nausea are possible after the operation and disappear within 24 to 72 hours. If the aforementioned ailments continue in people with a sensitive body structure, the need for a doctor’s prescription may arise. Likewise, a doctor should be consulted in case of abdominal pain for more than 24 hours after the gastric balloon is inserted.
In Which Situations Is the Gastric Balloon Inserted?
In gastric balloon, which is a frequently used method for the treatment of obesity, patients can lose an average of 10% to 15% of their weight within 4 to 6 months. Gastric balloon can be inserted in people between the ages of 18 and 65, with a body mass index of 27 and above, and who have not undergone bariatric surgery procedures before.
Gastric balloon stands out as a treatment method that can be applied to people who do not prefer to have surgery or who have a health problem that prevents them from receiving anesthesia. For the application of gastric balloon treatment, the patient should not have a serious stomach discomfort. If there is a serious reflux or gastritis problem in the patient to whom gastric balloon treatment is to be applied, there is a risk of perforation of the balloon. In this case, it may be necessary to place a gastric balloon again. Likewise, people with a body mass index below 27 should not have a gastric balloon.
It is very important for the success of the procedure that the patients make the eating habits they have acquired after the gastric balloon insertion a lifestyle habit. Thus, patients do not regain the weight they lost. In fact, gastric balloon should be considered as an effective method that supports the process of gaining healthy eating habits for patients. For this reason, the importance of the process after the gastric balloon is inserted should not be ignored, and the recommendations of the doctors and dietitians should be followed completely after the application.
Otherwise, there will be no shrinkage in the stomach, and on the contrary, the risk of enlargement of the stomach volume may be encountered. As a result, the patient may gain weight and experience serious stomach and intestinal problems. In order to avoid such problems, first of all, a decision should be made on the suitability of gastric balloon application by making necessary evaluations for the patient. Then, it should be ensured that the patient will make the desired lifestyle changes after the application.
Who Can Have a Gastric Balloon Inserted?
If people who have excess weight problems, who cannot lose these weights with regular diet and exercise, or who have obesity problems, are deemed appropriate as a result of the evaluations made, they can have a gastric balloon inserted. Although it is expected that patients will lose weight between 10 and 30 kilos on average after the gastric balloon application, various factors that can change for the person, especially the current weight of the person, come into play.
An individual must be 18 years old in order to have a gastric balloon implanted of their own will. Gastric balloon can be recommended to people who have not undergone a bariatric surgery procedure before and are not suitable for other methods. Gastric balloon method is not applied in cases such as large gastric hernia, gastric ulcer or pregnancy. Although rare, complications such as nausea, ulcers, pain, stomach bleeding, gastric perforation may occur after gastric balloon application.
By placing the gastric balloon in the stomach, it stands out as an effective method that accelerates the weight loss process of individuals. People who are over the age of 18 and have overweight problems can benefit from the gastric balloon method while adopting healthy lifestyle habits. While some of the gastric balloons may dissolve on their own after a certain period of time, some of them need to be removed by endoscopic method. Gastric balloons that are not removed on time may cause discomfort in the stomach, and it is also possible to increase the risk of perforation of the gastric balloon.
