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According to the report of the World Obesity Federation, it is predicted that more than half of the world will be obese or overweight in the near future. Those who cannot get rid of their excess weight frequently apply to obesity treatments. General Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Mehtap Ertürk explains the unknowns of the most commonly used gastric sleeve surgery and gastric balloon methods.

TURKEY - According to the report published by the World Obesity Federation, it is predicted that more than 4 billion people will be obese or overweight by 2035. The study states that the costs of healthcare services used to treat problems caused by obesity and overweight may exceed 4 trillion dollars annually globally. General Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Mehtap Ertürk draws a road map for patients by explaining the differences between gastric sleeve surgery and gastric balloon treatments, which are the most preferred treatment methods recently. 

Op. Dr. Mehtap Ertürk said, “Patients must change their dietary habits in both procedures. If a person doesn’t eat healthy and regularly, the results of any weight loss procedure cannot be permanent.”

“Gastric sleeve surgery can be applied to people with a body mass index of 30 and above.”

"It would not be right to expect the same effect from gastric sleeve surgery and gastric balloon applications," said General Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Mehtap Ertürk. He continued, “Obesity and being overweight, when not controlled, can cause many serious diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases and some types of cancer. Losing weight is becoming easier today with technological developments in the health sector. However, it is critically important for patients to obtain information about their preferred treatments. For example, many people do not know the difference between gastric sleeve surgery and gastric balloon, two of the most used treatments against excess weight. We can summarize gastric sleeve surgery as cutting the stomach from the point where the oesophagus and duodenum meet, removing approximately 80% of the stomach and turning it into a tube. After the closed surgery, patients can return to their routine lives within 3 to 4 days as they do not feel much pain. The weight loss process begins immediately, begins very quickly in the first month, and then slows down and is completed within a year. These treatments can be applied to people between the ages of 18 and 60, with a body mass index of 30 and above, who do not have any surgical obstacles.” 

“The gastric balloon procedure is shorter and easier than gastric surgery”

General Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Mehtap Ertürk stated that the gastric balloon application is a simpler procedure than the gastric sleeve surgery. He continued, “The gastric balloon, which is applied non0surgically, especially to patients who cannot receive anaesthesia or who do not want a surgical procedure, are inflated after being placed in the stomach by endoscopy. A gastric balloon can now be made as a capsule that can be swallowed with water, without the need for endoscopy. Thanks to the gastric balloon, which takes up space in the stomach and gives a feeling of fullness, the patient consumes less food and begins the weightless process. Gastric balloon can Damian in the body for between 4 and 12 months, depending on its type. Depending on the type of balloon, the balloon deflates after a certain period of time and is eliminated from the body through the intestines. The most important difference of this treatment from stomach surgery is that it can be reapplied. Additionally, the gastric balloon can be removed whenever the patient wishes. “For this method, it is sufficient for the body mass index to be 27 and above. He concluded his words as follows:

“The gastric balloon method does not require hospitalization, unlike stomach surgery. Since it is a short and painless procedure, the patient can leave anytime after the procedure. Of course, it should not be forgotten that all these weight loss treatments are only the beginning of losing weight and getting rid of obesity. For the treatment to be successful, the patient's lifestyle must be changed, and a regular and healthy diet must be maintained. "It is essential that specialist physicians carry out obesity and overweight treatments.”