Results of intragastric balloon treatment and evaluation of patient satisfaction

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic bariatric therapies are an alternative treatment method for patients who do not respond to diet, exercise and drug therapy or who are not yet candidates for surgery or who are suitable and hesitant to undergo surgery. In this study, we aimed to evaluate our intragastric balloon (IGB) treatment results and the satisfaction of the patients in the light of the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted by retrospectively evaluating the patients who underwent IGB application in the gastroenterology and general surgery endoscopy units of our hospital. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients who had IGB for 6 months were evaluated. The mean weight given was 10 (0–25) kg and the mean body mass index (BMI) decrease was 3.6 (0–9) kg/m(2). A statistically significant decrease was obtained between the initial weight and BMI of our patients and the weight and BMI at the end of the 6(th) month (P ≤ 0.0001). Thirty-five (51.5%) patients reported that they were satisfied with the procedure, while 33 (48.5) reported that they were not satisfied. CONCLUSION: IGBs for the treatment of obesity are an attractive form of treatment because they provide minimally invasive, temporary and significant weight loss. Patients need to be repeatedly told that diet and lifestyle changes should be followed in the treatment of IGB. Thus, we believe that possible disappointments can be prevented.