The gastric balloon is usually inflated with a volume between 400 ml and 700 ml. Just as everyone’s weight and height are different, stomach size and volume are also individualized. For this reason, the volume of the balloon is adjusted according to the stomach volume of each individual during endoscopic application. This volume and the required amount are decided during the endoscopic procedure. Leaving the balloon volume at 400 ml in an individual who needs a 600 ml balloon will result in failure of the procedure. The most important advantage of the endoscopic gastric balloon application compared to the swallowable balloons that have been used in recent years is the possibility of adjusting the size of the gastric balloon according to the stomach volume of each individual.

In case the desired weight cannot be achieved despite diet and exercise, the gastric balloon procedure is applied. For this, the body mass index must be above 30.

Endoscopic control is recommended about a week before the gastric balloon procedure. This is primarily to make sure that there is no disease (such as ulcer and tumor) that will prevent the balloon procedure. In addition, if a correctable health problem such as gastritis and ulcer is detected, it is aimed to treat these problems in the period until the procedure. If there is no obstacle in the endoscopic examination, the day of the procedure is planned. An 8-hour fasting is sufficient before the procedure. Both solid food and liquids including water should be stopped 8 hours before the procedure and the stomach should be empty.

The procedure is performed in a hospital setting and in the endoscopy unit. People are prepared by the endoscopy nurse before the procedure. During this preparation, the patient’s diseases, any allergies and current medications are questioned. After the file is filled out and the signature of the person is obtained for consent for the procedure, an intravenous line is opened to administer anesthesia drugs. Then he/she is taken to the procedure room. In the meantime, the patient is monitored; as in all endoscopic procedures, blood pressure, oxygen level in the blood and heart rhythm are continuously monitored on monitors. The stomach is entered with the endoscopy device and the inside of the stomach is checked for the last time. The gastric balloon is then inserted. Afterwards, the gastric balloon is inflated to an average of 500-600 cc in accordance with the stomach volume and the procedure is terminated.

The duration of the procedure is approximately 15 minutes. After the procedure, the person is taken to the rest room where he/she is discharged after resting for about 15-20 minutes and after the effect of anesthesia drugs wears off.

Although hospitalization is not required after gastric balloon procedure, it is recommended that the patient stays in the hospital for one night. This hospitalization is to ensure a more comfortable night after the procedure; because the person does not feel any complaints in the first hours after the balloon application; however, nausea, vomiting and non-severe cramp-like pain may start about 6 hours after the procedure. Although the severity of these complaints gradually decreases after the first day, they usually last up to 3 days. Especially in the evening and night of the balloon procedure, nausea and cramps are at their peak. Spending this period in the hospital and intravenous administration of serum, cramps and nausea medication makes the process more comfortable. Within a few days, the complaints gradually decrease and disappear day by day.