Your stomach will need time to adapt to the newly placed balloon. You can start drinking small amounts of fluids 6 hours after the gastric balloon procedure. The dietary plan primarily consists of fluids until the beginning of the second week, and you have to take an antacid medication to prevent gastric ulcers. For more information about the gastric balloon procedure for weight loss.
In a study conducted on 50 patients who underwent 6 months of gastric balloon treatment, only half of the patients maintained a 20% weight loss for a year after the removal of the gastric balloon. Meanwhile, a quarter of the patients maintained the same weight loss for 5 years.
There is not enough scientific evidence to establish an association between gastric balloon and any type of cancer. While there may be some minor side effects associated with gastric balloon placement, it does not directly cause cancer.
There is insufficient information available regarding the risks of gastric balloon on pregnant women and their babies. However, it is not recommended to continue using the gastric balloon during pregnancy, as it may prevent the pregnant woman from getting enough nutrients for herself and the baby, potentially leading to fetal malnutrition. Doctors advise removing the gastric balloon before pregnancy, and if an unplanned pregnancy occurs, it may be removed during the second trimester.