Gastric Balloon Placement

What is a Gastric Balloon?

If you’re struggling with extra pounds and can’t seem to shed them, a gastric balloon might be the ideal solution. By reducing the size of your stomach through the introduction of a balloon, this procedure can help you lose up to 10 kg effortlessly. Trust Tunisia Destination Santé to arrange your all-inclusive medical trip and explore our bariatric surgery options in Tunisia to achieve your ideal figure.

Obesity has become a widespread disease today, affecting both men and women. Unfortunately, this scourge does not spare children and adolescents. An obese individual is anyone with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30. A gastric balloon involves inserting an expandable balloon into the stomach filled with saline solution. Once inflated, the balloon is too large to pass into the intestine and will thus float in the stomach, occupying a useful volume of the latter. Thanks to this volume occupation by the gastric balloon, the person can no longer eat large quantities of food and satiety is quickly felt.

The gastric balloon is introduced through the mouth. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately 30 minutes. Gastric balloon placement is performed by a gastroenterology specialist and is done on an outpatient basis. The gastric balloon is generally removed after a period of 6 to 8 months. With more than ¾ of the gastric space occupied by it, the patient is unable to consume large quantities of food as they were used to. This limits the risk of gastric upset and vomiting.

What is the Cost of a Gastric Balloon in Tunisia?

Are you considering gastric balloon surgery in Tunisia? This option offers excellent value for money compared to prices in France and Europe. Plus, you’ll benefit from the expertise of our surgeons and state-of-the-art medical facilities. With Tunisia Destination Santé, you can have gastric balloon placement including all stay costs for 2 nights and 3 days. Trust our team for a safe and affordable medical experience. Our packages include the price of your medical stay and all costs necessary for the placement of your gastric balloon in Tunisia.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Gastric balloon surgery requires significant preparation. Based on your dietary preferences and Body Mass Index (BMI), our doctor will recommend either a sleeve gastrectomy, a gastric bypass, a gastric balloon, or no intervention if you are not a suitable candidate for bariatric surgery. Note that the gastric band is no longer indicated in Tunisia due to mixed results.

Once the surgical indication is made, pre-operative examinations will be requested by Tunisia Destination Santé before final approval of the gastric balloon by the surgeon. These examinations often consist of a blood test and digestive endoscopy, a cardiac ultrasound, and an abdominal ultrasound. Some patients choose to have these examinations performed in Tunisia with the risk of not being able to have the gastric balloon if there is a contraindication following the examination results. The gastric balloon is recommended for patients with a BMI between 25 and 30.

How is the Operation Performed?

Upon arrival in Tunisia, you will be transferred directly from Tunis Carthage Airport to the clinic. The intragastric balloon will be placed the day after your arrival unless you have your examinations done on site. For the operation, the patient is placed under general anesthesia, and the average intervention time is 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the patient’s specific case. Generally, hospitalization extends for a period of 48 hours, or about 3 days. Once the patient is asleep, the doctor inserts an endoscope, which is a small tube with a camera at its end, through the mouth and then guides it precisely to the stomach. At this stage, the gastric balloon, a flexible silicone device, is inserted into the stomach using the endoscope.

The gastric balloon is filled with a saline solution mixed with a dye that makes it easily detectable by X-rays. Its volume may vary but is generally between 500 and 700 milliliters. Once placed in the stomach, it provides a feeling of fullness from the first bites, thus helping to reduce caloric intake. This overall process, from placement to inflation of the balloon, constitutes a coherent intervention in the treatment of certain weight-related conditions.

What are the Post-operative Procedures?

Patients who have undergone gastric balloon surgery are put on a liquid diet for the first few weeks. To ensure a successful recovery after a gastric balloon, it is essential to scrupulously follow post-operative instructions and the recommended diet. Indeed, ignoring these guidelines can lead to frequent vomiting and disrupt healing. Although patients do not feel pain related to ongoing healing, they may feel weakness due to a significant reduction in their food intake. Therefore, it is recommended to limit physical activity and avoid lifting heavy objects in the days following the insertion of the gastric balloon. Not only will this help prevent abdominal pain, but it will also help prevent other potential complications.

When to Remove the Gastric Balloon?

For patients who want to lose weight, the gastric balloon is an often-used medical option. Its removal generally occurs within six months of placement. However, since everyone’s needs are different, the balloon may be removed earlier or remain in place longer. Moreover, if the patient reaches their weight loss goal before the six-month period, the balloon can be removed earlier. Similarly, if they fail to lose sufficient weight after six months, the balloon may remain in place longer. This removal process requires general anesthesia and is performed by endoscopy.

After balloon removal, the patient may experience nausea and vomiting for a few days, but rest assured, these symptoms are generally temporary. To ensure successful weight loss and prevent potential complications, it is crucial to follow the doctor’s recommendations regarding diet and physical activity after balloon removal. Your body will thank you!

Allurion Gastric Balloon

The Allurion (formerly Elipse) gastric balloon and weight loss program helps you lose weight by limiting how much you can eat and suppressing your appetite. This revolutionary pill is the first and only one that can be swallowed without the need for surgery, anesthesia, or endoscopy. On average, patients lose between 10% and 15% of their total weight (equivalent to 2 to 2.5 stones) during the 6-month program, and 95% of them maintain their weight loss one year after the start of treatment.

What are the Results Before and After Gastric Balloon Placement?

As a general rule, patients who have undergone gastric balloon surgery will have an average weight loss of 15 to 20 kg. Note that the maximum loss occurs during the first 15 days. The gastric balloon will then help stabilize weight, provided a well-followed diet is maintained. Tunisia Destination Santé recommends that these patients have follow-up nutritional guidance from a nutritionist. The balloon can be left in place for between 9 and 12 months depending on the brand available. If you follow the instructions, you too will have gastric balloon testimonials and post your before-and-after photos.

These before-and-after testimonials will make other people dream, as you have surely done. If the weight loss is significant and the patient’s skin has low elasticity, some patients find themselves with excess skin on their stomach, thighs, and arms. Women sometimes find themselves with sagging breasts. In such cases, most patients opt for cosmetic surgery to beautifully finish their metamorphosis after so many years of frustration.

Contact and Quote Request for a Gastric Balloon in Tunisia

If you want to have a gastric balloon placed abroad and you want to organize your stay in Tunisia with a serious and experienced agency, trust the professionals at Tunisia Destination Santé. Our team is always at your disposal to assist and guide you through all the procedures. Let us guide you through the procedure of creating your file and organizing your stay. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information and to request a free quote, without any obligation.

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