Experience Effective Weight Loss with Gastric Balloon

Are you struggling to shed excess weight and feeling apprehensive about invasive obesity procedures? The gastric balloon might be the ideal solution for you. This non-surgical, short-term option has proven to be a valuable tool for individuals seeking a safer and less invasive approach to weight loss.

Unlike other bariatric procedures, the concept behind the gastric balloon is straightforward and easily comprehensible. During this incision-free procedure, a soft silicone balloon is gently introduced into the stomach using an endoscope, a slender and flexible tube equipped with a camera and light at its tip. This enables the physician to navigate from the mouth and throat into the stomach. Once safely positioned in the stomach, the balloon is filled with saline (salt water). Because of its size, the filled balloon floats freely in the stomach, restricting overeating and reducing food intake.

It’s important to note that the gastric balloon is a short-term solution, typically removed endoscopically after 6 or 12 months. What makes it particularly safe and appealing is that it doesn’t alter the stomach’s anatomy and is entirely reversible. The gastric balloon becomes the go-to choose for those seeking to enhance their weight loss journey when other methods have fallen short.

Types of Gastric Balloon

  • 6-month Allergan gastric balloon (intravenous)
  • 12-month Spatz gastric balloon (general)
  • The most intriguing option is the Ellipse gastric balloon, a cutting-edge innovation. What sets it apart is that it doesn’t require anaesthesia for insertion or a separate procedure for removal – it naturally detaches from the body after just four months.

The outcomes of all these balloon procedures are quite consistent, with individuals often losing around 10-25 kg or more, depending on their initial weight.

The gastric balloon is your trusted ally on your path to a healthier body and life. However, like other bariatric procedures, it’s not a guarantee of major weight loss but rather a tool to assist you in achieving your goals. Success depends on your commitment to finding the right program and a team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, dietitians, fitness experts, and psychotherapists.

The most popular balloon program spans 12 months, with the balloon being implanted for the first six months. After its removal, the more challenging phase begins, where the patient no longer has the balloon to prevent overeating or unhealthy choices.

Over the following six months, close collaboration with a dietitian, psychotherapist, doctor, and fitness specialist is crucial to facilitate a lifestyle transformation. Maintaining the newly acquired lifestyle will help you sustain a lower weight and continue your weight loss journey even after the balloon is gone.

The gastric balloon aids in losing about 7-15% of total body weight during the initial six months after placement. The overall excess weight loss ranges from 30-47%, primarily contingent on adhering to dietary and exercise plans.

If lifestyle changes are not continued post-removal, weight regain is likely. The extent of weight loss hinges entirely on your commitment to new lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and consistent follow-ups as prescribed by your healthcare team.

What You Can Eat With a Gastric Balloon As is customary with gastric surgeries, the first few days and weeks after the gastric balloon procedure involve a diet consisting of liquids, purees, and soft foods exclusively. The transition from liquids to more solid foods is gradual, allowing your body to adapt to the presence of the balloon and prevent nausea. Following the initial liquid diet, you can reintroduce normal-textured solids in about two weeks.

While the ultimate goal is weight loss, adhering to dietary recommendations and incorporating healthier eating habits and increased exercise into your daily routine becomes significantly more manageable thanks to the reduced appetite caused by the gastric balloon.