Notes

Procedures to Place a Balloon in the Stomach
If you are considering having a balloon placed in your stomach, you should know what to expect. Depending on the type of procedure, you can have the balloon left in the stomach for a short time or for a longer time. There are risks associated with removing the balloon. If the balloon is stuck in the stomach, you may have complications.
Procedures to place a balloon in the stomach

Procedures to place a balloon in the abdomen are minimally invasive, non-surgical procedures that last between 30 minutes and an hour. Usually, a qualified gastroenterologist performs this procedure while the patient is sedated. Afterward, the balloon is removed through a similar procedure. The patient is followed up for at least six months with ongoing support.

The procedure is performed using a thin, flexible tube and a lighted camera called an endoscope. The endoscope goes through the mouth, down the esophagus and into the stomach. The balloon is inflated under light anesthesia and can stay in the stomach for up to six months. This procedure has many benefits, including helping people control their portions and reduce their appetite.

The gastric balloon procedure is effective in helping patients lose weight quickly. Patients typically lose approximately 20 to 35 pounds within six months. After undergoing the procedure, patients must follow healthy eating habits to ensure long-term success. Patients are provided with support for the first six months after the procedure to help them adjust to the new way of eating.

After the procedure, patients are usually released home two to three hours later. They may experience some pain and sore throat for a day or two, but they can take over-the-counter pain medications. They may also experience a decrease in their body weight in the first two weeks, but this will slow down over time. Patients will need to follow a special diet and exercise plan after the procedure in order to maintain the lower body weight. During this time, patients will meet with a dietitian once or twice a month.
Procedures to remove a balloon from the stomach

A balloon is a weight loss device that can be placed in the stomach. This device is temporary, and patients can return to eating after a short recovery. The procedure is done through the mouth, and it requires light sedation. A physician will pierce the balloon and fill it with saline water. The solution will be customized to fit the patient's body structure. Once it is inflated, the balloon will remain in the stomach for several months. The physician will remove it once the patient is no longer hungry or overweight.

Patients who choose to have a balloon placed in the stomach must follow a strict 12-month health program to achieve the best results. After the balloon is inserted, the patient must maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise. These lifestyle changes are crucial to achieving significant weight loss. The patient must have a BMI between 30 and 40 to qualify for the procedure. Mass General specialists and an obesity medicine physician will coach the patient throughout the 12-month program.

Most patients lose about 20 to 35 pounds after six months. Many patients continue to lose weight after the balloon is removed. A small percentage of patients continue to lose weight for over five years after balloon removal.
Complications of removing a balloon from the stomach

Patients who develop vomiting or persistent nausea and vomiting after a balloon placement may need to undergo surgery to remove the balloon. Although complications are rare, they can occur. Some of the complications can lead to death. Patients should always be evaluated by a physician prior to undergoing balloon removal.

Before undergoing the procedure, patients should be prepared for pain. Some procedures require light sedation. Patients may be asked to limit their food intake for a day or two prior to the procedure. Before undergoing a gastric balloon placement procedure, patients are usually given sedative medicines to ensure their comfort and help them feel relaxed during the procedure. The procedure itself takes about 30 minutes. Patients should plan on having someone drive them home after the procedure.

The endpoints of the study were to evaluate the risk of infection with COVID-19 during endoscopic balloon removal in a tertiary hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. After the procedure, all participants were followed for 2 weeks to detect infection. The results were reviewed by June 2020.

Some complications of balloon insertion in the stomach can be severe, even fatal. These can include esophageal perforation, gastric perforation, and bowel obstruction. Most of the time, these complications occur after a balloon is placed for the first time, but can happen as late as 7 months after placement. Patients with persistent symptoms may be at higher risk of developing these complications.
Website: https://www.ivnew.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=365448