What Are The Risks of Gastric Balloon?
What are the risks of the gastric balloon? What are the potential risks of the swallowable gastric balloon? What are the risks of an Elipse gastric balloon? Is gastric balloon harmful? If you are concerned about the risks of gastric balloon, you should know that modern surgical methods minimize possible risks, and the likelihood of encountering side effects is low when the procedure is performed on suitable patients.
For those who have difficulty losing weight through exercise or diet, gastric balloon is one of the options they consider. This procedure involves placing an inflatable silicone balloon into the stomach through endoscopy. The balloon placed in the stomach is inflated with either liquid or air. The balloon remains in the stomach for approximately 6-12 months and is then removed through another endoscopic procedure. The entire process takes about 10-15 minutes. The gastric balloon, which takes effect immediately after being placed, helps patients control their weight and extend the feeling of fullness.
Swallowable Gastric Balloon Risks
Swallowable gastric balloon is a modern and effective method used in the treatment of obesity. This unique approach is based on placing a balloon, swallowed by the patient through the mouth, into the stomach. The gastric balloon covers a specific part of the stomach, changing the patient’s eating habits and supporting the weight loss process.
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Side Effects and Temporary Mild Effects of Swallowable Gastric Balloon
Swallowable gastric balloon, being a non-surgical method, generally involves low risks. However, some side effects may occur after the procedure. These side effects are usually temporary and mild. The most common side effects include:
Nausea and Vomiting: The balloon affects eating by reducing stomach volume, leading to nausea and vomiting in the first days after placement. It can also exert pressure on the upper part of the stomach, causing reflux. However, these effects usually decrease over time.
Stomach Cramps: The balloon can cause temporary stomach cramps by exerting pressure on the stomach wall. This effect is typically observed in the first days after the procedure and tends to diminish over time.
Burping: The balloon can cause temporary burping by increasing air in the stomach. This side effect is usually observed in the first few weeks after balloon placement and tends to decrease over time.
The side effects of swallowable gastric balloon may vary from person to person. Individuals experiencing these side effects can usually take appropriate measures to alleviate or manage the symptoms by communicating with their doctors.
Rare Side Effects of Swallowable Gastric Balloon
What are the side effects of swallowable gastric balloon? Ingestible gastric balloon has some rare potential side effects, including:
Balloon Displacement or Deflation: Although rare, the balloon may tear, puncture, shift, or leak. In such cases, urgent intervention may be necessary, and removing the balloon becomes crucial. Additionally, if the liquid or gas inside the balloon passes into the stomach or intestines, it can lead to serious issues such as stomach or intestinal inflammation, obstruction, or poisoning. The leakage of the balloon can be observed in urine or stool due to the blue color of the liquid it contains.
Perforation of the Stomach or Intestines: In very rare cases, the balloon may puncture the wall of the stomach or intestines. This condition can lead to serious complications such as bleeding, infection, or peritonitis. Perforation of the stomach or intestines usually occurs during or after the placement or removal of the balloon.
Individuals Ineligible for Swallowable Gastric Balloon
Swallowable gastric balloon is not suitable for everyone and should not be used in specific cases. Individuals who cannot use swallowable gastric balloon include:
Alcohol and Substance Abusers: Individuals with alcohol and substance addiction are not suitable candidates for ingestible gastric balloon.
Pregnant or Planning to Get Pregnant Patients: Those who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant should not use this method.
Individuals with Serious Heart, Kidney, Liver, and Lung Diseases: Individuals with serious heart, kidney, liver, or lung diseases should be cautious about using ingestible gastric balloon.
Patients with Previous Esophagus and Stomach Surgery: Individuals who have previously undergone esophagus or stomach surgery should not use swallowable gastric balloon.
Patients Using Continuous Blood Thinners: Patients using continuous blood thinners should not use this method and should consider alternative options.
Ingestible gastric balloon can be a non-surgical method for weight loss, but it is not suitable for every patient. Therefore, individuals considering this treatment option should consult with a healthcare professional first. Additionally, swallowable gastric balloon alone is not sufficient treatment; therefore, seeking professional support for nutritional and lifestyle changes and regular doctor check-ups are important.
What Are the Risks of Gastric Balloon?
What are the risks of gastric balloon? Gastric balloon is a medical device used for weight loss, but its use can come with certain risks.The risks of gastric balloon are usually observed during the placement or removal of the balloon or while it is inside the stomach. The risks of gastric balloon include:
Complications during Placement or Removal: Complications such as bleeding, infection, perforation, aspiration, or allergic reactions may occur during the placement or removal of the gastric balloon. Although these complications are rare, they can pose a vital threat. Therefore, it is crucial that the doctor performing the gastric balloon procedure is experienced and competent.
Balloon Issues Inside the Stomach: While the gastric balloon is inside the stomach, it may burst, tear, shift, or leak. In such cases, the gastric balloon needs to be urgently removed. Moreover, the gastric balloon can interact with stomach acid, leading to its deterioration, and the liquid or gas inside the balloon may pass into the stomach or intestines, causing problems such as stomach or intestinal inflammation, obstruction, or poisoning.
Side Effects in Balloon Users: Users of gastric balloons may experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, gas, reflux, ulcers, gastritis, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalance. These side effects usually diminish or resolve within the first few weeks. However, in some cases, medication or early removal of the gastric balloon may be necessary.
Psychological Effects: Despite the feeling of fullness provided by the gastric balloon, users may psychologically feel hunger or develop eating disorders. Therefore, gastric balloon users should seek professional support for dietary and lifestyle changes and regularly attend medical check-ups.
Possible Risks of Gastric Balloon: Nausea and Vomiting: After the placement of the gastric balloon, many individuals may experience symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. These reactions occur because the body perceives the gastric balloon as a foreign object.
Stomach Pain and Discomfort: The gastric balloon creates an expansion inside the stomach, leading to stomach pain and discomfort in some individuals.
Acid Reflux Issues: The gastric balloon can cause the stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus, resulting in acid reflux problems.
Difficulties During Meals: Although the gastric balloon helps individuals eat smaller amounts by reducing stomach volume, some people may perceive this as a difficulty during meals.
Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance: Excessive vomiting or reduced fluid intake can increase the risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
Balloon Rupture: While rare, gastric balloons can rupture or burst over time. This condition requires urgent medical intervention.
Infection Risk: The procedure of placing the gastric balloon can increase the risk of infection.
Every individual is different, and it should be remembered that gastric balloon procedures may not be suitable for everyone.
What Are the Risks of Gastric Balloon?
Gastric balloon, being an endoscopic procedure rather than surgery, is not considered a surgical intervention. Therefore, the risks of gastric balloon are extremely low and are rarely observed when performed by an expert physician. However, like any medical procedure, gastric balloon dangers do exist. If your doctor has decided on a gastric balloon procedure for you, these complication risks should not deter you from the treatment, and it should never hinder your trust in your physician.
In this regard, for those wondering if gastric balloon is harmful, the potential risks of gastric balloon can be briefly explained as follows:
Sedation-Anesthesia Side Effects: Side effects related to anesthesia may be observed in individuals with a history of chronic illness or whose current health condition is not sufficiently good. To prevent these, it should be determined whether the person has undergone sedation or anesthesia-effective surgeries before, what medications they use, and whether these have side effects.
Bleeding: Bleeding after the gastric balloon procedure is a rare occurrence. Sometimes, sudden movements during the placement or removal of the balloons can result in bleeding.
Nausea and Vomiting: This condition, which can be encountered as one of the gastric balloon side effects in many patients, arises from the immune system reacting to the foreign substance placed in the stomach. Although it is expected that the symptoms will resolve on their own within a few days, it is possible for this period to be prolonged.
Balloon Rupture or Leakage: One of the most feared situations among patients regarding gastric balloon dangers is the rupture of the balloon. Although the rupture of the gastric balloon is a very rare event, it is an occurrence that can have critical consequences. It requires urgent intervention and, if not addressed promptly, can lead to more serious operations by progressing into the intestines.
If you need more information about the risks and advantages of gastric balloon or if you have any questions about all the details of the procedure, gastric balloon prices, and the post-procedure process, you can contact us.