Nutrition After Gastric Balloon Procedure

How Is Nutrition After Gastric Balloon Procedure?

After the gastric balloon procedure, the patient may experience pain, cramps, nausea and vomiting. Nutrition after gastric balloon procedure  should be as follows: Liquid diet is recommended for the first 3-4 days until these complaints subside. Afterwards, a puree diet should be applied for 4-10 days. If there is no problem, it can be switched to solid nutrition after the 10th day. After the first 10 days, the patient should get help from a specialist dietitian.

The liquid diet period  covers the first 3-4 days, which is the process of getting used to the balloon, and liquid diet should be applied to prevent the symptoms that may occur in the stomach. During the liquid diet period, unsweetened compote, herbal teas, broth, chicken broth, bone broth, lactose-free milk and buttermilk made from lactose-free yogurt, freshly squeezed fruit juice, soy milk, etc. can be consumed. Care should be taken to ensure that the liquids to be consumed are grain-free, sugar-free, salt-free, spice-free and warm. Especially liquids containing tomato paste, lemon, onion and garlic should not be consumed.

In addition  , fluid consumption  should be done slowly and with small sips. Citrus fruits and acidic fruit juices such as sour cherry and pomegranate should not be preferred as they may upset the stomach. During this period, clear and unsweetened tea can be consumed, but coffee is not recommended. It is not recommended for the patient to lie down constantly during the liquid diet period. The patient should spend this period with short walks.

The puree diet period  covers a period of 4-10 days after the first symptoms have passed. The foods to be consumed during the puree diet period should be soft, crushed or passed through a blender. In this process, boiled and pureed eggs, cheese, vegetable soups made with meat-chicken-fish, milk, ayran, kefir, fruit puree and yoghurt can be consumed. During this period, patients are recommended to start exercising, but when a negative situation is encountered, a doctor should be consulted immediately. It is recommended to exercise 3-4 days a week and at least 45-60 minutes a day.

The strict diet period is the period  when the stomach gets used to the balloon, covering the 10th day after the procedure and beyond. After the stomach gets used to the balloon, a normal diet can be started, but it is important to switch to a regular nutrition program and a healthy lifestyle. During the feeding period after the gastric balloon procedure, the portion should be reduced and a small and frequent eating pattern should be established. The diet should include foods rich in protein and low in carbohydrates and fats.

Thus, the patient is provided with a healthy and rapid weight loss.  People who have had a gastric balloon procedure  should make their nutrition program a habit because it may be difficult to prevent weight gain again in the future. For this reason, it is essential to acquire personal healthy habits during the gastric balloon process. It is another important point not to skip the meals on the fasting list, to do portion control and to consume food at the right time. During this period, brisk exercises should be continued. It is recommended to exercise at least 60-90 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

What should a person who has a gastric balloon be careful about?

Following are the things to make a habit of and pay attention to in the diet after the gastric balloon procedure:

• The daily calorie intake in the diet list should be followed. There should be no escaping between meals.
• After the process, solid-liquid separation should be made. Fluid intake should not be taken for at least half an hour before and after meals. Fluid intake before and after meals can cause stomach enlargement and malnutrition.
• Food should be cooked by grilling, boiling, steaming and oven cooking methods. Consumption of fried food should be avoided.
• Consumption of carbonated beverages should be avoided. Because carbonated drinks cause stomach ailments.
• Especially unhealthy snacks, sweets and packaged foods containing refined sugar should not be consumed.
• Alcohol and alcoholic beverages are high in calories and increase reflux complaints. For this reason, alcohol consumption should be avoided.
• After the procedure, 2-2.5 liters of water should be consumed per day.
• Consumption of fruits and fruit juices with high acid content should be avoided.
• Consumption of caffeinated beverages should be avoided. Caffeine causes the stomach acid balance to be disturbed.
• Consumption of dry legumes such as chickpeas, dry beans, kidney beans, lentils that cause gas should be avoided.
• Excessively spicy, oily and salty foods should not be consumed.
• Salads should be consumed only with vinegar and lemon, a small amount of oil should be added.
• If adequate vitamins and minerals are not met due to the restriction of the diet after the gastric balloon procedure, additional supplements recommended by the doctor should be taken.
• Daily consumption of fibrous food should be increased. Probiotic supplements can be used when necessary to avoid constipation.
• Exercise should be done at least 3-4 days a week. The person can choose the type of exercise to be done. The important thing here is to increase daily activities and to be regular.

What Should Our Portions Be Like After Gastric Balloon?

In the nutrition program after the gastric balloon procedure, the  portion  should be personalized. Because the balloon is adjusted according to the person’s weight and stomach volume, and each balloon is inflated to a different amount. After the procedure, the portion size should be learned only with the help of a dietitian and by self-testing. In the post-procedure period, the person should not continue to take food after he is full. Excessive consumption of food causes nausea, cramps and stomach enlargement.

How Much Weight Does the Gastric Balloon Lose in 1 Month?

It is an application that can make patients lose 15-20% of their average body weight with the nutrition program after the gastric balloon  procedure  . The weight loss process progresses differently in each individual, so it is not expected that each patient will lose the same weight within 1 month with the gastric balloon. Generally, half of the weight to be lost after the procedure is given in the first months. However, if the person does not control nutrition and exercise after the gastric balloon procedure, all the weights lost can be regained. By learning how to eat during the gastric balloon process and discovering the type of exercise suitable for you, you can ensure that the lost weight is permanent.

Each person’s weight loss is different after the gastric balloon procedure. In addition, factors such as the person’s eating habits, chronic diseases, stomach size, type of balloon applied affect the weight to be lost. 4 months after the procedure,  the rate of weight loss  decreases, but weight protection should be ensured during this period. It is very important for the person with the gastric balloon procedure to create an exercise program as well as obtaining a personalized post-procedure nutrition program. After the procedure, exercising 3-4 days a week should become a lifestyle. Complications that may occur in the body after the procedure are minimized with the exercises performed. Light exercise  , especially walking, swimming, and cycling post-procedure exercise recommendation. It is important to move for at least 20-30 minutes a day, and to take a walk even if you do not exercise. After the symptomatic period is over after the procedure, it is possible to switch to brisk exercises within the knowledge of the doctor.

What should be avoided after gastric balloon procedure?

Nutrition after the gastric balloon procedure should be done with the diet program prepared by the dietitian. Foods that the dietitian does not recommend should not be consumed. The foods that should not be included in the nutrition program after the gastric balloon procedure are as follows:

• All fried foods should be avoided.
• Foods containing processed meat and cold meat should not be consumed.
• A minimum of oil, salt and spices should be used in the foods consumed.
• Saturated fats, high-fat foods and sauces should not be consumed.
• Consumption of all kinds of sweets, ice cream and chocolate should be avoided. The patient should meet his sweet cravings from fruits.
• Coffee consumption should be avoided. If coffee is to be consumed, care should be taken to ensure that it is decaffeinated.
• Whole wheat or diet  breads should be consumed at meals and breakfasts  , and white bread should be avoided.
• At least 3 main meals and 2 snacks should be made daily. There should be at least 1 hour between meals.
• Main meals should be consumed slowly, chewed thoroughly (20-30 times) and in small bites. Meals should not be finished before 20-30 minutes. No liquid should be consumed during the meal.
• Lying down or lying down after meals should be avoided.