The application of botulinum toxin (Botox) to the stomach is a relatively new method of weight loss based on the endoscopic method of injecting Botulinum toxin into certain parts of the stomach. In this method, the contraction of the stomach muscles is limited and the emptying time of the stomach is delayed so the patient loses his appetite. What is stomach botox suitable for? Stomach Botox can be applied to anyone who wants to lose weight. This procedure is not an operation. However, patient selection is important. It must be said that stomach botox will not be very useful in patients with a body mass index above 40 who can achieve success with surgery. At this point, patients who are overweight, but not obese enough to undergo surgery and who want to lose weight, constitute the ideal group of patients. In patients with stomach ulcers or gastritis, stomach botox can be applied after proper treatment of these diseases.

Does it have side effects?

Botox is mainly used to reduce wrinkles in the skin and no dangerous side effects have been encountered. Since the application of Botox to the stomach is a standard endoscopic procedure, there are no significant side effects also reported in the literature. However, the procedure is not suitable for people who have muscle diseases and who are allergic to Botox.

Does it guarantee weight loss?

No method, including stomach botox, is guaranteed to lose weight. It is not fair to treat stomach botox as a miracle cure. Although botox in the stomach is known to have an appetite-suppressing effect and aid dieting, there is a possibility of failure in patients who eat a high carbohydrate diet after botox application.

How long does the stomach botox procedure take, is it necessary to stay in the hospital?

Stomach Botox is not surgery. It is a fully endoscopic procedure performed through the mouth. There is no cut. The process takes an average of 20 minutes. During the procedure, patients are put to sleep accompanied by an anesthesiologist. It is not necessary to stay in the hospital. 1-2 hours of observation are usually enough after the procedure and the patient can leave the hospital.

Does Stomach Botox Cause Permanent Stomach Damage??

It is known that the entire effect of the drug used in botox on the stomach completely disappears from the body within 4-6 months. Therefore, there is no possibility of permanent damage.

My bowels are lazy, will I experience more bloating with Botox?

​Stomach botox is applied only to the smooth muscles of the stomach, it does not affect nerve cells and bowel movements. Therefore, it does not affect increasing intestinal laziness. In the diet that will be specially prepared for you after botox in the stomach, (tell this situation to your dietitian), an improvement of intestinal laziness can be seen by adding foods for the functioning of the intestines to the diet.

Can Botox be delivered to my body??

In studies, systemic spread was shown after the botox procedure in the stomach and was observed to completely block nerve conduction at the site and therefore delay the sensation of hunger.

What is the expected weight loss from the application of botox in the stomach?

Patients are expected to lose 10-15% of their total body weight within 3-6 months. The amount of weight given may vary from person to person according to age, metabolic rate and exercise frequency.

What to consider after stomach botox?

Consuming fast foods such as fast food and acidic drinks is harmful. Patients treated with Stomach Botox feel full with fewer portions and do not feel hungry for a long time.

What changes does botox have from the gastric balloon?

The gastric balloon is one of the endoscopic interventions for weight loss. However, the volume of the gastric balloon must be adjusted from time to time according to the patient, which requires endoscopy each time. Stomach botox provides an effective loss of appetite for 3-6 months with a single application. The presence of a foreign body in the stomach in the gastric balloon rarely causes nausea. In addition, many patients complain that their appetite suddenly increases after the balloon is removed. Since the effect of botox on the stomach passes slowly, there is no sudden increase in appetite in this way, the appetite gradually returns to normal.

The goal of the gastric balloon procedure is to limit food intake by placing a water-filled balloon inside the patient’s stomach endoscopically and to lose weight thanks to this procedure. It is a procedure that must be taken into consideration because it severely limits nutrition and is a very easy method, but care must also be taken as it does not cause a change in the patient’s sense of hunger. Although it is a preferred method for the group of patients called super obese (overweight) in general, it is not classified as surgery. Since one

the balloon is placed in the stomach of the patient and this procedure is performed under anaesthesia, that is, half asleep, it is seen as a short, easy and effective method for a long time. Especially if patients have to undergo additional surgery for obesity in the future, the gastric balloon procedure is performed to lose weight before this procedure.

Is the Gastric Balloon suitable for everyone?

It is known as the choice of many patients who have a body mass index of around 27-35, who cannot adapt to another obesity surgery and who want to lose weight healthily. After calculating the total body weights and body mass indices of the patients, it is decided how long the gastric balloon will be used and then the procedure is carried out. Many studies have shown that patients can lose up to 20% of their body weight after this procedure. It is often preferred because it provides a very high amount of weight loss and at the same time gives patients many new health habits that will increase their living standards. Although the implementation of the procedure takes very little time, it is known that there is no need to stay in the hospital for long periods after the procedure. After the procedure, patients are expected to recover within 1 hour unless there is an unusual situation. Although the recovery of patients is monitored by doctors, this period can be extended if deemed necessary.

Concerns after the Gastric Balloon

Although patients’ concerns are generally the same, the intensity or number of their complaints may vary. While many patients report cramping and nausea, some patients also commonly complain of cramping and an uncomfortable feeling in the stomach after the gastric balloon procedure. Although the overall success of the procedure is about 90%, in some cases, even though there is no obstacle to placing the balloon, the patient’s body may reject it. In case of this refusal, patients are provided with supportive treatments. Although not a common situation, the balloon may be removed in cases where the patient’s body does not accept it or drug treatments do not work.

Risk factors after Gastric Balloon

Although it is a useful method after determining the suitability of the patients and after the insertion of the balloon, there are some potential risks. Many people wonder if the balloon, which is inserted into the stomach, has the possibility of bursting after it is inserted. After the application of the gastric balloon, even though the patient is attentive and cared for, in some cases, it has the possibility of being punctured. Although the gastric balloon does not burst, it can be punctured depending on the amount and speed of stomach acid and the patient’s eating habits. Although it is an object made of a strong silicone-based material, in some cases it is possible to pierce, but this is a very small percentage and possibility.

Is it possible to puncture the balloon?

Although it is very difficult to puncture the balloon, it is necessary to consult a doctor in such a case, since the colour of the urine will be blue thanks to the serum fluid. Depending on the state of the injury and the patient’s preference, the balloon can be removed completely or replaced with a new one. In case of final removal, the liquid in the gastric balloon is emptied first. After the evacuation process, the balloon material is removed by the endoscope and the patient returns to his normal life.

Hepatitis B: HBV It is caused by the Hepatitis B Virus, known as HBV (Hepatitis B Virus). The virus is found in blood and body fluids, such as semen or vaginal fluid. The infection spreads through several ways: unprotected sexual contact, from an infected pregnant mother to her baby, contact with blood, blood transfusions or non-sterile syringes, during the performance of invasive procedures or tattoos in non-sterile conditions. The latent period is 2 to 6 months. 5%-10% of patients who overcome Viral Hepatitis B become chronic carriers of the virus. Also, about 90% of babies born to mothers with Viral Hepatitis B become chronic carriers. About 1% of acute Hepatitis B Viral (HBV) infections progress quite quickly to severe forms, which are called fulminant hepatitis and have a high mortality rate of up to 60%. Chronic carriers have a higher risk of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Hepatitis C: HCV It is caused by the Hepatitis C Virus, known as HCV (Hepatitis C Virus). The infection spreads in the same way as the Hepatitis B infection, i.e. through the same routes: unprotected sexual contact, from an infected pregnant mother to her baby, contact with blood, blood transfusions or non-sterile syringes, during invasive procedures or tattoos in conditions non-sterile. The latent period is 6 to 10 weeks. Viral hepatitis C causes chronic hepatitis in 80% of cases and 5-20% of cases progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Laboratory tests for hepatitis B and  C

ALT (SPGT)

AST(SGOT)

Bilirubina Direct and Indirect

Bilirubina Totali

Surface antigen –Hepatiti B

Antibodies for Hepatitin C

Anti HBc IgM

Anti HBe IgM

Anti HBC Total

HBeAg