WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?

One-third of patients may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and swelling because the stomach reacts to a foreign body; however, these symptoms only last for a few days and are managed at home with meds.

Source:

– Kotinda APST, et al. Obes Surg 2020;30:2743-53.

AM I A CANDIDATE FOR A GASTRIC BALLOON?

You may qualify for a gastric balloon if your body mass index is between 27 and 40, you are willing to make healthy lifestyle changes as well as time to time nutritional and psychological follow-up, and you haven’t undergone any gastric or esophageal surgery. This procedure can be used as a bridge therapy to gastric bypass to improve your health condition before surgery.

The balloon is not always the best option in all cases; the assessment process will allow your physician to choose the best treatment for you.

Source: 

– Galvao Neto M, et al, ed. Intragastric balloon for weight management. Springer, Cham; 2020:15-21. 

WHAT ARE THE CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR GATRIC BALLOON PLACEMENT?

Hernia hiatal, tumor gástrico, alteración de la motilidad esofágica o cirugía gástrica previa.

*Only a specialist can determine if you are a candidate for weight loss surgery, please notify any medical condition. 

Sources: 

-Tirthani E, et al. StatPearls [Internet] 2021.

¿PUEDO COLOCARME EL BALÓN GÁSTRICO SI TENGO DIABETES?

Of course, you will benefit from all the effects of gastric balloon placement, including blood sugar control, if you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and your body mass index shows that your weight is above average for your height. 

Source:

– Kumar N, et al. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2017;10:311-6.

WILL I LOSE ALL MY EXCESS WEIGHT WITH GASTRIC BALLOON PLACEMENT?

It’s possible to lose from 22 to 66 pounds; this depends on multiple elements such as overweight or obesity class and the adherence to diet and physical activity behavior change, so: the results may vary depending on the patient.

Source: 

–  Galvao Neto M, et al, ed. Intragastric balloon for weight management. Springer, Cham; 2020:15-21. 

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SIX-MONTH AND ONE-YEAR BALLOON?

The six-month balloon is not adjustable and must be removed at the end of this time; on the other hand, the one-year balloon allows more weight loss since one or two adjustments can be done in case of stalling. 

Source:

– Tirthani E, et al. StatPearls [Internet] 2021.

AM I GOING TO BE HUNGRY?

The balloon causes early satiety and delays gastric emptying, which produces an appetite decrease; if not, it’s possible to prescript appetite suppressants for a better result.

Source:

– Tirthani E, et al. StatPearls [Internet] 2021.

CAN I EXERCISE WITH A GASTRIC BALLOON?

Yes, it’s necessary to do physical activity. We suggest it be aerobic exercise and avoid any heavy combat sport involving abdominal blows.

Source:

–  Galvao Neto M, et al, ed. Intragastric balloon for weight management. Springer, Cham; 2020:15-21.