Synonyms in a broader sense
Stomach reduction, gastroplasty, tubular stomach, Roux En Y bypass, small intestine bypass, biliopancreatic diversion according to SCOPINARO, billiopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, stomach balloon, gastric pacemaker
Definition – What is a stomach balloon?
The gastric balloon can be imagined as a small balloon that is led into the stomach and in this way reduces the filling capacity of the stomach. As a result, a feeling of fullness is felt more quickly, so that under optimal conditions – i.e. with a healthy diet and exercise – weight can be reduced more quickly. The stomach balloon is therefore a supporting measure for losing weight.
How does the insertion of a stomach balloon work?
The implantation of a gastric balloon is performed under twilight anesthesia. First the doctor performs a gastroscopy. This means that he inserts a tube with a camera at its flexible end through the mouth and into the stomach.
This allows the stomach to be assessed from the inside. If no obstacles or other abnormalities are detected, the still empty balloon can then be inserted through the mouth into the stomach via the esophagus. The balloon is made of soft silicone and is filled with saline solution through a tube.
This reduces the filling capacity of the stomach and simultaneously activates the mechanoreceptors located in the stomach wall. The mechanoreceptors register the filling of the stomach and give the brain a rapid feeling of fullness. The gastric balloon is then separated from the tube.
The balloon is equipped with a self-closing flap that closes it immediately after separation from the tube. Now the implant floats freely in the stomach. The procedure takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Provided that the procedure goes without complications, the patient can be discharged after a few hours. In the first few days after the operation, about 80% of patients experience nausea and about 40% mild to moderate cramping abdominal pain. These symptoms usually disappear after 2-7 days, during which time the stomach gets used to the foreign body, and can be relieved with medication if necessary.
If the symptoms do not subside within this time, consideration must be given to reducing or even removing the stomach balloon. The balloon can remain in the stomach for a maximum of six months, as the material is attacked by gastric acid over time and the balloon may eventually burst. To remove the balloon, another gastroscopy as described above is necessary. The physician then pricks the balloon with a hollow needle and can thus remove the liquid and then pull out the empty balloon envelope.
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