Professor Menachem VekslerPlastic surgeon
The problem of obesity in recent years has rightly been called an “epidemic.” It affects an increasing number of people in developed countries. The disease is a consequence of metabolic disorders and serves as a complicating background for the development of serious diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases, endocrine disorders, oncological diseases, as well as depression.
Recently, a new method of balloon endoscopy has been successfully used in Israeli clinics for the treatment of secondary obesity. It involves the endoscopic insertion of a silicone balloon with a volume of 500 ml into the stomach. The balloon is filled with dyed saline solution.
The essence of the new technique is that the balloon, occupying space in the stomach, creates a feeling of fullness, i.e., it creates a satiety effect. It is intended to remain in the body for six months, after which it is removed using the same endoscopy. During these six months, the patient, with the help and under the supervision of a dietitian and psychologist, must learn to change their behavior and habits related to food intake.
The main advantage of the “balloon” method of treating obesity is precisely the ease it provides for the patient in changing “food” stereotypes, as without this, no trick, no matter how clever, will be successful in the long term.
Israeli specialists have found the optimal combination of medical assistance and the patient's own efforts. The procedure for inserting and removing the balloon is performed under light anesthesia and takes only 15 minutes. There is also a situation where the balloon, while inside the stomach cavity, is damaged for any reason. In such a case, the completely harmless saline solution containing a special dye spills into the stomach, coloring the patient's urine, so that an indication of what has happened appears immediately and measures are taken accordingly.
- Obesity