Frequently Asked Questions about Gastric Balloon

Gastric balloon or Intragastric balloon is a short-term non-invasive weight loss treatment for obese people who are unwilling to undergo surgery and want to lose weight quickly. It works by limiting the amount of food patients can consume which helps them feel full faster and easier.

Under a mild sedative or light anesthesia, the deflated balloon is inserted through your mouth and esophagus via an endoscope. It gets filled with a sterile liquid, occupying one-third of the stomach mass. Then, the endoscope is removed and the balloon is left in the stomach. After the procedure, patients can control their meal portions as they feel full more quickly. The balloon is removed after 6 to 9 months.

Gastric balloon prevents obese people who have been unable to lose weight by other non-surgical weight loss methods from overeating and help them resolve their obesity quickly.

• It is non-invasive and with no surgical procedure; • The balloon is removable after about 6 months; • It can be combined with a diet to help you change your lifestyle.

You are a good candidate for a gastric balloon if: • Your body mass index (BMI) is more than 29; • You do not wish to undergo surgery; • You are allergic to anesthesia; • You have diabetes, sleep apnea, or high blood pressure.

The procedure takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

The effects of this short-term option appear 9 months after the surgery and the results are long-lasting if you stick to your recommended diet and exercise.

This non-surgical endoscopic method should be combined with physical activity and diet for the best results.

You can lose between 10 and 25 kilograms if you do physical activities and never return to your previous eating habits.

Single and Dual gastric balloon are the two types of gastric balloon procedure. The Dual balloon is proper for those who want to lose extreme weight. It also fits better inside the stomach due to the natural curvature of the stomach and it has less movement.

A gastric balloon is an out-patient procedure and you can leave the hospital the same day of the procedure.

You should: • Not eat for 12 hours and drink for 6 hours before the procedure; • Have anti-nausea medicine and acid reflux prepared at home for your return; • Have endoscopy of the stomach (gastrointestinal endoscopy), esophagus (EGD), duodenum (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), and H. Pylori test; • Have blood test, a psychological test, heart tests including chest X-ray and electrocardiogram, and pulmonary tests and abdominal ultrasound if you are suffering from pulmonary diseases.

During weeks 7 to 12, you need to start exercising 3 to 5 days a week.

• You should avoid fast food; • Eat Nutrient foods like fish, vegetables, and fruits (like a Mediterranean diet); • Take the medication prescribed by the doctor; • Eat soft foods during the first month; • Eat slowly and chew carefully; • Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water every day; • Avoid drinking while eating; • Avoid any sodas, coffee, and alcohol; • Do not eat while watching TV; • Have diverse fruits rather than juices.

• Sleep on the left side of your body with your head and neck higher than your left shoulder; • Consult a specialist for digestive discomfort; • Stick to your recommended diet.

Depending on health conditions, many people do not experience any discomfort. But some common complications include Slight bleeding; Gastric discomfort; Nausea; Vomiting; Abdominal pain; Gastro-esophageal reflux Indigestion; and Leakage of the balloon.

During the first few days of the recovery process, you may feel some discomfort. But it will be solved if you follow the recommended diet by your doctor. Normally, when you press down your stomach gently or bend down, you can feel it.

1. Local anesthesia; 2. Insert endoscope; 3. Deflate the Balloon; 4. Pull it out.

When the gastric balloon is removed, your stomach returns to its normal size and shape.

People typically may regain 10% to 20% of their lost weight after a year. However, many can lose weight continuously even after 5 years if they have given up all their bad eating habits. Without the gastric balloon, people will normally consume large portions of food. To avoid it, you must live a healthy lifestyle and exercise regularly if you want to enjoy the results of this operation for a long period.

Although the gastric balloon doesn’t need special care, patients are recommended not to travel overseas where medical care is unavailable.

Since it is a non-surgical procedure, the risks are much lower than other bariatric surgeries.

No direct relationship between gastric balloons and a higher risk of developing diseases such as cancer has been proven.