The gastric balloon is a non-surgical, reversible treatment that produces early satiety with little food, helping you change habits gradually and safely.
Procedure description
A non-surgical procedure that consists of the intragastric placement of a silicone balloon, filled with saline solution and methylene blue, endoscopically and under sedation.
The procedure takes 20 to 30 minutes, after which you can return home to continue the supervised treatment, which lasts six months to one year. The device produces early satiety with little food, helping you lose weight and change habits gradually and safely.
Benefits
- Safety and efficacy
- Outpatient, non-surgical intervention
- Fast and reliable weight loss
- Affordable
- Reversible
- Encourages habit change
Source:
– Bazerbachi F, et al. Am J Gastroenterol 2019;114:1421-31.
Frequently asked questions
What side effects can I have after placement?
Because the body reacts to the presence of a foreign object in the stomach, about a third of patients may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and bloating; however, these symptoms last only a few days and are easily managed at home with oral medication.
Source:
– Kotinda APST, et al. Obes Surg 2020;30:2743-53.
Am I a candidate for a gastric balloon?
If your body mass index is between 27 and 40 kg/m², you are willing to make healthy lifestyle changes and attend medical, nutritional and psychological follow-ups, and you have not undergone any stomach or esophageal surgery, you may be a candidate. It can also be used as preparatory therapy to improve the condition of some patients with high degrees of obesity before surgery.
The balloon is not always the best option in every case; the evaluation process allows the physician to select the best intervention for you.
Source:
– Galvao Neto M, et al., ed. Intragastric balloon for weight management. Springer, Cham; 2020:15-21.
What are the contraindications for placing the balloon?
Hiatal hernia, gastric tumor, esophageal motility disorder or previous gastric surgery.
Only a specialist can determine whether you are a candidate; please report any health condition you may have.
Source:
– Tirthani E, et al. StatPearls [Internet] 2021.
Can I have a gastric balloon if I have diabetes?
Yes: if you have type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity, you will benefit from the positive effects of balloon placement, including better glycemic control.
Source:
– Kumar N, et al. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2017;10:311-6.
Can I lose all my excess weight with the gastric balloon?
In general, it is possible to lose 10 to 30 kilos, although this depends on multiple factors such as the degree of overweight or obesity and good adherence to changes in diet and physical activity; results may therefore vary for each patient.
Source:
– Galvao Neto M, et al., ed. Intragastric balloon for weight management. Springer, Cham; 2020:15-21.
What is the difference between a six-month balloon and a one-year balloon?
The six-month balloon is not adjustable and must be removed without exception at the end of that period; the one-year balloon, on the other hand, allows for greater weight loss since one or two adjustments can be made if weight loss stalls.
Source:
– Tirthani E, et al. StatPearls [Internet] 2021.
Will I be hungry?
The balloon produces a feeling of rapid satiety with little food and delays gastric emptying; this reduces appetite. If that is not the case, appetite-suppressant medications can be administered to support a better result.
Source:
– Tirthani E, et al. StatPearls [Internet] 2021.
Can I exercise with the gastric balloon?
Yes, physical activity is important; aerobic exercise is recommended, avoiding activities with a risk of abdominal impact.
Source:
– Galvao Neto M, et al., ed. Intragastric balloon for weight management. Springer, Cham; 2020:15-21.
Step-by-step process
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Bariatric evaluation appointment
Our specialist physician will ask about pre-existing conditions, previous weight-loss treatments and your expectations; they will perform a complete clinical evaluation and schedule the assessments with the rest of the team to determine the best option based on your profile, health status and goals.
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Check-up
An evaluation is carried out by our multidisciplinary team: psychology, nutrition and cardiology.
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Bariatric surgery appointment
The results of the previous evaluations are reviewed and we present the treatment and the most suitable alternatives for you: advantages, disadvantages, risks and expectations. After obtaining consent, the placement date is set.
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Placement
You must complete an 8-hour fast and medication will be given to help reduce symptoms before and after placement. The procedure lasts approximately 20 to 30 minutes and you can return home the same day, with the corresponding care instructions.
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Habit-change phases
Liquid diet for 10 days followed by a soft diet, under the supervision and guidance of our team.
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Follow-up appointments
At 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after the procedure.
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Removal
At 6 or 12 months, depending on the case.
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Maintenance phase
Support and follow-up by our nutrition and psychology team to optimize your results.