The gastric balloon is a balloon-shaped medical prosthesis made of a synthetic material called silicone. Gastric balloon is an alternative method applied to obese people with a BMI of 30-40 without an indication for bariatric surgery. The balloon is simply placed into the stomach endoscopically. The procedure is performed under anesthesia and takes 15-20 minutes. Patients are sent home after 1-2 hours. Nausea may occur for 2-3 days after the operation. The purpose of application of the gastric balloon is to reduce the stomach volume by creating a volume (400-500 ml) when inflated in the stomach. Thus, people with gastric balloons feel full in a very short time even though they eat much less than normal.

Since the gastric balloon is produced entirely from artificial plastic material, it does not melt in the stomach. However, drinking acidic drinks and alcohol can cause the balloon to melt. However, after a certain period of time in the stomach, it must be removed from the stomach. For most gastric balloons, this period is usually 6 months. However, different gastric balloon models of different commercial brands can remain in the stomach for up to 12 months. Gastric balloon application is the easiest method of weight loss. It is very difficult to suppress the feeling of hunger and to reach the feeling of satiety with the portions recommended in the diet. Gastric balloon provides a feeling of early satiety with a small amount of food.

Its Advantages
It is an endoscopic operation, not a surgical one.
It is placed easily and quickly.
Complications are rare.
If combined with diet and exercise, it can provide long-term effective weight loss.
Up to 30% of excess weight can be lost with a gastric balloon.

Its Disadvantages
Some patients may not be able to tolerate the balloon.
Nausea and vomiting attacks, stomach cramps may be a problem for the first 2-3 days.
It may cause reflux. When it happens, it may be necessary to use stomach acid-lowering medication.
It can stay in the stomach for up to a year. It must be removed afterwards.
There is a risk of regaining the lost weight after the balloon is removed.

25 years of experience in Laparoendoscopic Surgery:
In the last 15-20 years, almost all operations of general surgery have become laparoscopic. This technique has many advantages over the classical open technique. As of the end of 2018, 7100 gallbladder surgeries, 1080 appendicitis, 845 inguinal hernia, 220 gastro-esophageal reflux, 77 liver hydatid cyst, 119 colon and rectum and 1400 bariatric surgeries (1230 sleeve gastrectomy, 170 gastric bypass) have been performed laparoscopically by me. In addition, 237 bile duct stones were removed using a combined laparoendoscopic technique. All results are excellent. The laparoendoscopic technique is developing day by day and opens new horizons in surgery.

OBESITY
Obesity, which is the most important health problem in the world, especially in developed countries, has now become an important health problem in our country. The obesity rate in Turkey has reached 20% (BMI ≥ 30). Especially Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases may develop due to obesity. If the BMI is between 30-40 in obese patients, the treatment is the use of diet, exercise and gastric balloon. If BMI ≥ 40, treatment is surgery. The most common surgeries are sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. Today, the results of bariatric surgery are excellent, depending on experience and technical developments. The treatment of metabolic syndrome caused by obesity-related insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, abdominal fat, hypertension and high cholesterol is metabolic surgery.