Gastric Balloon Guide
Gastric balloon surgery is a safe and effective method for weight loss. However, postoperative care is also very important. Postoperative care for gastric balloon surgery is what you need to do to protect your health and support your weight loss process. In this article, we will tell you what you need to know about postoperative care for gastric balloon surgery.
What to Do Before Surgery
Before gastric balloon surgery, you should follow the instructions given by your doctor. These instructions are necessary for the surgery to be successful and safe. What you need to do before surgery are as follows:
- Quit smoking at least 2 weeks before surgery. Smoking impairs blood circulation and slows down the healing process.
- Stop alcohol consumption at least 1 week before surgery. Alcohol increases stomach acid and can damage the gastric balloon.
- Do not drink anything while eating. This unnecessarily fills the stomach and makes it difficult to place the gastric balloon.
- Reduce caffeine consumption. Caffeine increases stomach acid and can damage the gastric balloon.
- Since your stomach should be empty on the day of surgery, do not eat or drink anything after midnight. This prepares your stomach for surgery.
- To get used to your new healthy lifestyle, you should follow a strict diet before surgery. This diet is a protein-based, sugar, fat and carbohydrate reduced diet.
- Do not use blood thinners (aspirin, coraspin, alca-seltzer, etc.). These drugs increase the risk of bleeding and endanger the surgery.
- Stop using sugar drugs such as glucophage or metformin 3 days before surgery. These drugs can make it difficult to place the gastric balloon.
- If you are using diabetic drugs, they should be adjusted according to your preoperative diet and you should consult your doctor. Also, consult your doctor before stopping your other medications.
- Stay away from alcoholic and carbonated drinks. These drinks inflate the stomach and make it difficult to place the gastric balloon.
- Do not use refined sugar. Sugar causes weight gain and reduces the effectiveness of the gastric balloon.
- Avoid drinks and foods containing added sugar. These drinks and foods increase sugar consumption and reduce the effectiveness of the gastric balloon.
- Do not consume fried foods and fast food. These foods are high in fat and calories and reduce the effectiveness of the gastric balloon.
- Since your nutrient intake will be restricted, you can take essential vitamin and mineral supplements. These supplements are necessary to protect your health. Any multivitamin tablet will suffice.
- On the day before surgery, you should only consume clear liquids. These liquids can be water, herbal tea, fruit juice, vegetable juice, fat-free milk or soy milk. These liquids cleanse your stomach and prepare it for surgery.
The First Day After Surgery
The first day after surgery is the day your gastric balloon is placed. On this day, you need to do the following:
- As before surgery, do not chew gum, consume any liquid or take any medication. This prevents your gastric balloon from being damaged.
- After the surgery is completed, you will be taken to the recovery room. Here, you should rest and not move. You may be sleepy or dizzy because of the anesthesia you received during surgery.
- Because of the position you took during surgery, you may feel pain or discomfort in your cuts. This is normal and temporary. Pain and nausea will be relieved by intravenous drugs.
- To make sure your gastric balloon is not leaking, a “leak test” will be performed. This test involves injecting a blue dye into your gastric balloon and checking whether you see blue color in your urine. If you see blue color in your urine, this indicates that your gastric balloon is leaking and you need to inform your doctor urgently.
- After passing the leak test, you can start consuming liquids. However, you should drink your liquids sip by sip and slowly. Otherwise, you may experience nausea, vomiting or cramps.
- You can take short walks. Getting out of bed and walking at least 3 times a day increases your blood circulation and prevents clot formation. However, you should be careful not to get tired or feel pain.
The Second and Third Day After Surgery
The second and third day after surgery are the two days after the day your gastric balloon is placed. On these days, you need to do the following:
- You can take painkillers when needed. However, you should use the prescription drugs given by your doctor. Over-the-counter drugs can damage your gastric balloon.
- Continue to consume only clear liquids. These liquids can be water, herbal tea, fruit juice, vegetable juice, fat-free milk or soy milk. These liquids do not strain your stomach and allow your gastric balloon to adjust.
- Continue to walk. You should walk at least 3 times a day for short periods of time. This increases your blood circulation and prevents clot formation.
The Fourth and Fifth Day After Surgery
The fourth and fifth day after surgery are the four and fifth days after the day your gastric balloon is placed. On these days, you need to do the following:
- You can take a shower or bath. However, do not enter a tub or jacuzzi filled with water. This can increase the risk of infection.
- Do not lift anything heavy. Lifting heavy can damage your stitches and your abdominal area.
- You may experience constipation. This is normal in the first week after surgery. To prevent constipation, drink plenty of water, consume fiber-rich foods and use laxatives recommended by your doctor.
- Take your medications regularly. Use Protonix to reduce your stomach acid, and prescription painkillers to relieve your pain. Crush or take all your non-controlled-release medications in liquid form. Do not crush your controlled-release medications. Use your diabetes medications as adjusted by your doctor. Consult your doctor before stopping your other medications.
- Plan your meals according to the diet list given by your doctor. This diet is a protein-based, sugar, fat and carbohydrate reduced diet. Eat your meals slowly and chew well. Otherwise, you may experience nausea, vomiting or cramps.
- Stay away from fast food and carbonated drinks. These foods and drinks can damage your gastric balloon and prevent you from losing weight.
- Avoid exercising. Exercising can put pressure on your abdominal area and damage your gastric balloon. However, you can take short walks. This increases your blood circulation and prevents clot formation.
The Sixth Week After Surgery
The sixth week after surgery is the sixth week after the day your gastric balloon is placed. In this week, you need to do the following:
- You can start your normal daily activities and exercises. However, do not lift anything heavy. Lifting heavy can damage your stitches and your abdominal area.
- You should start a long-term care diet. This diet is a healthy and balanced diet. This diet should include protein, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, dairy products and healthy fats. You should limit your sugar, fat and carbohydrate consumption. Eat your meals slowly and chew well. Otherwise, you may experience nausea, vomiting or cramps.
- You may not feel any pain anymore. However, you can use over-the-counter drugs if needed. Continue to use your prescription drugs as recommended by your doctor. Crush or take all your non-controlled-release medications in liquid form. Do not crush your controlled-release medications. Use your diabetes medications as adjusted by your doctor. Consult your doctor before stopping your other medications.
Patient Planning
We thank you for choosing YND HEALTH for your gastric balloon surgery. To provide you with the best service, we make your patient planning as follows:
- Before your surgery, your doctor will talk to you by phone or online video. In this conversation, he will give you detailed information about the surgery, answer your questions and tell you what you need to do before surgery.
- When you come to the hospital for your surgery, your medical tests and health checks will be done. These tests and checks are necessary for the surgery to be safe and successful.
- After your surgery is completed, you will be taken to the recovery room. Here, you will rest and take painkillers. Also, a leak test will be performed to make sure your gastric balloon is not leaking.
- The first day after surgery, your doctor will examine you and create a special diet list for you. This diet list will help your gastric balloon adjust and help you lose weight.
- The second day after surgery, your doctor will check your health condition and explain how to use your medications. He will also tell you what you need to know about postoperative care for gastric balloon surgery.
- The sixth week after surgery, you will meet with your doctor again. In this meeting, he will evaluate your weight loss process, listen to your problems and give you advice.
