Gastric Balloon in Istanbul,Turkey :Costs, Reviews, Packages

• Allurion Gastric Balloon

The Allurion Gastric Balloon emerges as a pioneering leap in the field of non-surgical weight loss interventions. With its unique design, this balloon paves the way for a less invasive approach, circumventing the need for both anesthesia and endoscopic procedures for its placement or removal. This novel device is tailored for obese individuals who harbor apprehensions about more invasive procedures or possess risks related to anesthesia.

Contrary to traditional methods, the Elipse balloon encapsulates a more patient-friendly experience. Encased within a vegetarian capsule, the balloon remains connected to a slender catheter, ensuring a secure and efficient delivery system. Upon ingestion, the device unfurls within the stomach’s expanse, its presence confirmed by an X-ray that identifies the balloon’s distinct radiopaque marker. Subsequently, the balloon is filled with a preservative-laden solution, marking the completion of a 20-minute outpatient procedure.

The balloon’s lifecycle concludes after four months of residency in the stomach. At this juncture, it autonomously empties and the biodegradable material disintegrates. This process allows the balloon to collapse and transit through the gastrointestinal tract for natural expulsion.

While the Allurion Gastric Balloon stands as a testament to medical innovation, it is not without potential drawbacks:

• The absence of pre-placement endoscopic examination increases the risk of unrecognized gastric pathologies.
• The potential for inappropriate placement by inexperienced professionals heightens the possibility of intolerance and complications.

Nevertheless, the Elipse balloon’s ease of insertion and self-removal has expanded its accessibility. It has enabled a wider range of physicians to offer this solution, potentially reducing the overall costs associated with diet programs. Thus, the Allurion Gastric Balloon not only represents a step forward in weight loss technology but also reflects a growing trend towards patient-centric medical procedures.

• Orbera 365 Balloon

In the realm of medical advancements, the Orbera Intragastric Balloon (IGB) system has carved out a significant niche. Pioneering the modern era of gastric balloons, Orbera IGB first made its appearance in 1991, post the Tarpon Springs Consensus. It holds the distinction of being the most widely utilized device in endoscopic weight loss, with a substantial body of historical data affirming its effectiveness. Consequently, subsequent gastric balloons have invariably drawn upon the foundational concept introduced by Orbera.

The Orbera system, which received FDA approval in 2005, features a singular spherical silicone balloon. This device, approximately 13 centimeters in diameter, is delivered in a commercially compressed state. The placement process is meticulous, beginning with a diagnostic endoscopy. The balloon is then positioned within the gastric fundus, and a physician-selected volume of saline solution is infused for inflation. This procedure unfolds under the vigilant gaze of endoscopic guidance. Upon inflating the balloon, the system is sealed off, ensuring the balloon’s valve closes securely. Consequently, the balloon is left to float freely within the stomach’s cavity.

Significantly, the Orbera balloon is designed to be safely implanted for a duration of up to six months. Beyond this period, the risk of complications such as perforation or deflation heightens, potentially leading to bowel obstruction. The removal of the balloon is as precise as its insertion, necessitating sedation and endoscopy. Employing a double-channel endoscope and specialized forceps, the deflation and extraction are carefully conducted to ensure patient safety.

Moreover, the second-generation model, Orbera365, extends the potential residency of the balloon to 12 months, mirroring the original’s traits. This innovation allows for a more extended weight management period, providing patients with a longer-term solution. Such an option underscores the ongoing evolution within the field, offering extended support to those on their weight loss journey.

• Spatz 3 Balloon

The Spatz3 gastric balloon represents a significant advancement in non-surgical weight loss interventions. Tailored to align with the Tarpon Springs Conference’s initial criterion, this third-generation device stands out for its adjustable volume. This feature allows for tailored treatment, accommodating patient comfort and enhancing weight loss efficacy. Indeed, the Spatz3 balloon is recognized for its ability to remain within the stomach for an entire year, providing ample opportunity for patients to adapt to healthier eating habits and lifestyle changes.

Distinctively, the Spatz3 balloon’s design incorporates a valve ‘tail’ which, despite creating a non-smooth surface, serves an essential purpose. The manufacturers suggest that this tail may help to prevent or delay the passage of a deflated balloon through the duodenum, potentially averting complications. Although not yet approved by the FDA, the Spatz3 has earned the European Union’s CE mark, testifying to its adherence to health, safety, and environmental protection standards.

The balloon’s unique system includes:

• A saline-filled silicone balloon that can be adjusted in volume.
• A silicone-covered anchor to aid in insertion and removal while preventing migration.
• A silicone filling tube that stretches to modify the balloon’s fluid volume.

Insertion of the Spatz3 requires a well-lubricated endoscope and careful positioning within the gastric cavity, ensuring the balloon is inflated safely within the stomach and not the esophagus. Post-inflation, the filling catheter is detached, leaving a valve with a blue nylon loop in the patient’s mouth, which is then repositioned in the gastric fundus.

Adjustments to the balloon’s volume, whether to increase or decrease, are meticulously carried out by reattaching the filling catheter and either extracting or adding saline. As the 12-month period concludes, the balloon’s removal necessitates endoscopic intervention under anesthesia, given its size and the complexity introduced by its irregular morphology.

• Heliosphere Balloon

In the realm of medical advancements, the gastric balloon stands out as a noteworthy development for weight management. Within this domain, the Heliosphere balloon distinguishes itself as an innovative air-filled alternative designed to mitigate the adverse effects typically associated with its liquid-filled counterparts. Introduced in clinical settings since 2004, this device hails from Vienne, France, offering a unique solution to the discomforts post-implantation.

Characterized by its lightweight nature, the Heliosphere balloon tips the scales at less than 30 grams. Encapsulated within a silicone layer, it boasts a high-volume capacity that can be filled with 900 to 1000 milliliters of air. The insertion process, while necessitating endoscopic intervention, is streamlined by a straightforward inflation system. Despite a relatively speedy median inflation time of 12 minutes, the procedure’s duration eclipses that of other gastric balloons, such as the Orbera.

1. The balloon is well-tolerated over a six-month period.
2. It demands deep sedation due to the discomfort it causes.

Furthermore, the Heliosphere balloon’s design poses certain challenges. Its passage through the cardia and upper esophageal sphincter presents technical hurdles due to its sizable diameter and reduced pliability. These factors contribute to a higher incidence of positioning failures and instances of spontaneous deflation. Similarly, the removal process can encounter complications, occasionally necessitating surgical intervention or the employment of a rigid endoscope. To address this, practitioners recommend utilizing a two-claw forceps for secure retrieval.

Moreover, the balloon’s air-filled nature calls for caution among patients. Those considering the Heliosphere must avoid activities like scuba diving and flying in unpressurized aircraft cabins, as such environments pose serious health risks. In essence, while the Heliosphere balloon is an ingenious approach to weight loss, it comes with an array of considerations that must be meticulously evaluated by both the patient and the healthcare provider.

• ReShape Duo Integrated Dual Balloon System

This innovative approach, conceived by ReShape Medical, Inc., involved a pair of silicone spheres. These spheres, inherently robust in their design, were linked by a flexible shaft that ensured stability within the stomach’s complex environment. The dual nature of the system aimed to mitigate the risks associated with single balloon systems, specifically the potential for intestinal migration following accidental deflation.

The system’s flexibility was not just a safety feature but also allowed for an adaptive fit to the stomach’s natural shape. Upon insertion via the mouth, a careful endoscopic procedure guided the balloons to their designated position. Each balloon could be filled with saline solution up to 450 mL, catering to the patient’s size and height, with a recommended lesser volume for shorter individuals. Once inflated to the optimal volume, typically reaching 900 mL collectively, the balloons filled a substantial stomach area. This presence in the stomach was designed to assist in creating a feeling of fullness, thereby reducing food intake without altering the anatomy permanently.

The removal of the system required a procedure as meticulous as the insertion, involving anesthesia and endoscopy after no more than six months of implantation. However, the tenure of the ReShape Duo system came to an end in December 2018 when Apollo Endosurgery acquired ReShape Medical. With this acquisition, the focus shifted towards the Orbera balloon, Apollo’s proprietary system, leading to the gradual discontinuation of the ReShape Duo.

The transition from the ReShape Duo to other gastric balloon systems exemplifies the dynamic nature of medical device markets. It also highlights the continuous quest for safer, more effective weight loss interventions. As such, the ReShape Duo’s legacy lives on as a stepping stone towards more advanced gastric balloon technologies.

• Obalon

In the realm of gastric volume management, the Obalon® emerges as a groundbreaking innovation, offering a non-invasive approach to weight loss. This FDA-approved device comprises a trio of balloons, each housed within a gelatin capsule for effortless oral administration. The gas-filled balloons are designed for gradual introduction into the stomach, enabling a tailored adjustment to the gastric volume over several months.

Upon ingestion, the encapsulated balloon travels to the stomach, where its position is confirmed by advanced imaging technology. The Obalon’s utilization of a proprietary navigation system, recently endorsed by the FDA, marks a significant leap forward, eliminating the need for fluoroscopic guidance. This advancement harnesses magnetic resonance to track the balloon’s placement, offering a glimpse of the device’s location in real time on a computer monitor. The shift from traditional imaging to magnetic resonance not only enhances the procedure’s simplicity but also reduces radiation exposure and overall costs.

Here is how the procedure unfolds:

• Each balloon is methodically swallowed and inflated to a precise volume of 250 mL.
• The inflation process is remotely controlled, culminating in the disconnection of the catheter.
• The self-sealing mechanism of the balloon ensures its secure placement within the stomach.

The Obalon is adeptly engineered to reside in the stomach for up to six months, after which it is removed under general anesthesia. The removal process involves puncturing the balloons, followed by a careful extraction using forceps. This device has not only found its niche in adult weight management but has also demonstrated promising outcomes in pediatric applications. In Europe, the Obalon holds the distinction of being recommended for individuals with a BMI as low as 27 kg/m^2, extending its benefits to a broader population seeking weight loss solutions.