What Is A Gastric Balloon?
Questions such as what is a gastric balloon, can I have a gastric balloon operation covered by insurance, are frequently asked. There are certain conditions for having a gastric balloon operation within the covered by insurance.Gastric balloon is a method used for obesity treatments. It is a silicone balloon with a volume of approximately 400-700 cc, placed in the stomach. It is a method applied for people who cannot lose weight with diet and exercise. In addition, it is applied to people who are at risk for surgery during obesity treatment. It is an endoscopic method and is not permanent. After the gastric balloon is placed, it is taken back between six months and one year. It cannot be applied if there are conditions such as pregnancy, stomach ulcer, gastric hernia. There are also side effects. Sometimes, problems such as nausea, bleeding, perforation, intestinal obstruction are experienced.
At the same time, the amount of your meals decreases with the gastric balloon. It helps you eat less. You still feel satiated. In this way, you will be able to stay full longer by eating less. In addition, your cravings for snacking between meals will also decrease. And this will help you lose weight. In the tests performed after the gastric balloon, there were significant improvements in metabolic syndromes, diabetes and gout. To have a gastric balloon, your body mass index must be between 25 – 30 or 30 – 35 and your methanolic risk. Or your body mass index should be between 35 and 40. If your body mass index is over 40, the gastric balloon method is used to lose a certain amount of weight before the surgery. Then, you will be able to lose weight with surgery.
Gastric Balloon Under Insurance
The question of whether I can perform a gastric balloon procedure covered by insurance is something everyone is wondering about. Because obesity surgery has a certain cost. And insurance coverage makes people much more comfortable. There are some situations where you can have a gastric balloon procedure covered by insurance. There are some necessary conditions for this. If you do not meet these conditions, the insurance will not help you. If you meet these conditions, you can take care of this business under insurance. In addition, you can ask this question to the insurance companies you have contracted with. Insurance companies that include bariatric surgery usually do not look for too many conditions. And if you need it, you can insure the direct transaction.
So, under what conditions can you have gastric balloon surgery covered by insurance? As of February 5, 2018, obesity surgeries were expanded to be covered by insurance. If you have insurance, your body mass index should be above 40. In this way, you can perform gastric balloon operation covered by insurance. Or if your body mass index is between 35 and 40 and you have a disease such as diabetes, blood pressure, heart disease, insurance is also valid. In addition, obese people with a body mass index of 40 and above can be treated free of charge by the state, if the endocrine department allows. As you can understand, obesity surgery procedures are also carried out within the scope of insurance.
How Is The Gastric Balloon Inserted?
Endoscopic methods are used to insert a gastric balloon. In this method, there is an illuminated camera. The camera is inserted into the body through the esophagus. Meanwhile, it does not harm the esophagus. It is adjusted in accordance with the width of the esophagus. With this camera, a gastric balloon is inserted without incision. Thanks to this camera, doctors see the inside of the body. And they proceed accordingly. While watching from a screen, they also direct the camera. In this process, the patient is under anesthesia. The conscious sedation method is applied. In this way, the patient is put to sleep for about fifteen minutes. That is, the patient does not feel anything during the procedure.
While the patient is asleep, progress is made through the mouth. The process that starts from the esophagus progresses to the duodenum. And this is how the digestive system is examined. If there is no problem such as ulcer or reflux, the process is started in the stomach. The balloon is slowly filled with the endoscope. Filled in the balloon is physiological saline and methylene. Methylene is blue in color. And if there is a problem in the stomach, it will come out with the urine. This way you can see if there is a problem. And without delay, the patient can apply to the doctor. The balloon insertion process takes approximately fifteen minutes. After the procedure, the patient recovers and rests for a few hours. He is then discharged.
Side Effects Of Gastric Balloon
Risks following gastric balloon administration are generally rare events. And it doesn’t happen to everyone. Pain during insertion and removal of the gastric balloon is generally seen in one third of the patients. In addition to the pain, nausea also occurs. These effects are not a sign of a bad situation. It does not require you to stay in the hospital. You should wait for these effects to decrease by using the drugs recommended by your doctor. If the pain and nausea persist for a long time, you may need to go to the hospital with your doctor’s recommendation. Additionally, in some cases, the gastric balloon may deflate. Deflating the gastric balloon means that it circulates in the digestive system. And this can cause clogging. In such a situation, it is necessary to remove the gastric balloon.
Ulcer or hole formation in the stomach wall are very rare conditions. In such a situation, corrective surgery should be performed. Some people may have difficulty getting fluids if the gastric balloon is inserted and removed. If this process is prolonged, fluid support is provided with serum. The gastric balloon stays in your body for an average of six months. Some balloons can stay for twelve months. The weight loss process should be determined by determining the time the balloon will remain and accordingly. If the balloon deflates prematurely, a blue liquid is excreted in the urine. In such a situation, you should consult your doctor.
How to Find a Gastric Balloon Covered by Insurance?
If you are unable to find a gastric balloon covered by insurance that meets your needs, it is important to talk to your doctor about exploring other options. Consider whether research and clinical trials might be available in your area that could help reduce the gastric balloon price. Additionally, some manufacturers offer payment plans or discounts for those who do not have insurance. Speak with your healthcare provider about any potential programs available in your area. Whatever the case may be, it is important to get a thorough understanding of the costs involved before committing to any procedure.
With careful research and planning, you can ensure that gastric balloon treatments remain affordable while offering effective weight loss results. It is also important to consider other approaches such as lifestyle modifications including weight loss surgery diet changes and regular exercise which can help reduce body weight to boost the effect of a gastric balloon covered by insurance surgery. Talk to your doctor about which option is best for you and review all of your available options before making a decision. With the right guidance, you can find an effective solution that fits into your lifestyle and budget.
