The implantation of a gastric balloon is an act of bariatric medicine that does not require endoscopy or anaesthesia. Combined with a personalised nutritional follow-up, it is a “starter” that boosts weight loss and gets you back on track when diet and exercise are insufficient.
Gastric balloon: What is it?
A medical device in the form of a balloon installed without surgery in the stomach in order to occupy part of it and allow weight loss by satiety and slowing down the transit of food: Food can therefore be re-evaluated, reduced and re-educated. The aim is to change the patient’s eating habits and significantly reduce excess weight.
Price of gastric balloon in Tunisia
| Interventions | Price | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Soft silicone gastric balloon ( by endoscopy ) | 2800 € | 2 nights / 3 days |
| Polyurethane gastric balloon ( capsule ) | 3300 € | 2 nights / 3 days |
Types of gastric balloon in Tunisia
There are two types of balloons:
1-The polyurethane balloon inserted into the stomach for 4 to 6 months.
2-The flexible silicone balloon installed for 6 months.
What is the insertion of gastric balloon in Tunisia?
A recent treatment for obesity that allows weight loss through satiety caused by the insertion of a gastric balloon within the stomach.
The implantation of gastric balloon in Tunisia is a way to help an obese subject to lose weight: he eats less, but as part of a comprehensive program that includes nutritional advice, physical activity and psychological support.
Gastric balloon in Tunisia: For which patient?
The gastric balloon in Tunisia is recommended for a subject who is significantly overweight or has moderate to severe obesity. His Body Mass Index: BMI is between 27 and 40.
Indeed, a slight overweight can perfectly respond to a classic diet while a morbid obesity can be managed by bariatric surgery.
Gastric Balloon Insertion in Tunisia: How does it work?
The consultation
During the pre-operative consultation session, the bariatric surgeon performs a thorough examination and studies the patient’s medical history in order to determine which balloon is suitable for his or her own indications.
The surgery
*Polyurethane balloon insertion.
This type of gastric balloon is implanted without surgery, endoscopy or anaesthesia.
The patient swallows a capsule connected to a small tube: a catheter. Once in the stomach, the capsule will melt. The balloon is filled with sterile saline water through the catheter. The amount of liquid is decided by the specialist for each patient.
The polyurethane balloon is placed under X-ray control. The device disintegrates for 4 to 6 months before it is eliminated through the stool.
*Silicone gastric balloon insertion.
It is flexible and implanted by endoscopy: through the mouth under general anaesthesia.
Once installed in the stomach, the medical device is filled with sterile saline fluid: saline often tinged with methylene blue to give a green urine as an indication when it is pierced,
The fluid is introduced via a small filling tube: a catheter attached to the balloon and removed when the gastric balloon is filled. There are also air-filled gastric balloons which bariatric surgeons do not recommend as they are uncomfortable.
The implantation and removal of the gastric balloon is done as an outpatient procedure under general anaesthesia in two procedures that take less than 30 minutes each. The silicone gastric balloon is placed in the stomach for one year and is broken down by the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. After this time, the gastric balloon is no longer effective because the stomach has adapted to its presence.
How does the nutritional follow-up work?
The gastric balloon is an important tool to help a patient lose weight but it is not a magic solution. Nutritional follow-up with a qualified dietician is essential in order to achieve the weight loss goal.
This process leads to a feeling of satiety, which allows you to eat smaller portions without feeling hungry. The food stays in the stomach for longer. The patient therefore avoids snacking between meals.
One month after the removal of the gastric balloon, the dietician helps the patient to consolidate his new eating habits which are an essential factor for the durability of the results.
Gastric balloon in Tunisia: What are the after-effects?
Often, the patient resumes his daily activities after 24 to 48 hours following the placement of the gastric balloon. Some patients may experience nausea, abdominal cramps and vomiting. Such symptoms are well controlled with medication prescribed by the bariatric surgeon.
What weight loss can be expected?
As a general rule, most patients achieve a loss of between 20 and 50% of their excess weight during the four months of the medical programme: an average of 13 to 15 kilos.
Between 10 and 15% weight loss on average after 4 months.
An average of 10 to 15 kilos of weight loss after 4 months.
95% of the weight loss is maintained during the 12 months following the removal of the gastric balloon.
*Disclaimer: results may vary from one person to another depending on the patient’s morphology.
