What factors should one consider before undertaking a gastric balloon procedure?
The gastric balloon is a tool that helps overweight and obese patients change their eating behaviour by making it easier to eat less and eat healthy. However, a gastric balloon procedure is not a magic bullet. If patients drink milkshakes all day, they won’t lose weight. Patients that are motivated but feel they need a little extra help are ideal gastric balloon patients.
What makes the gastric balloon different to other weight loss methods?
One of the main things to expect from a gastric balloon procedure is the profound physiologic changes to the digestive tract by prolonging the residence time of food in the stomach. Patients feel full and eat less with less hunger than they would otherwise experience with a diet alone. Unlike more invasive weight loss approaches like endoscopic balloons and bariatric surgery, the balloon can be placed in the stomach via swallowing without anaesthesia. The patient can wear their own clothes and leave the clinic with a balloon in their stomach in only 20 minutes. Only a quick x-ray is required to confirm balloon positioning before inflation.
See also: Debunking Weight Loss Myths
If someone used the balloon as a temporary way to lose weight how will it allow him or her to keep the weight off for long-term weight loss?
The gastric balloon is an opportunity to learn how to eat smaller portions and see results more quickly than with a diet alone. The balloon comes with a connected scale and a smart phone application that the patient continues to utilize after balloon excretion. In many patients, a single gastric balloon is sufficient to learn new habits and keep the weight off. In patients who regain weight over time (or have additional weight to lose post-excretion), balloons can be repeated.
Can you take a gastric balloon out once it’s been fitted? And if so, is it safe to use multiple times in someone’s life?
In rare cases, patients have asked for the balloon to be removed (for example, after discovery of a pregnancy). Some patients simply don’t tolerate gastric balloons well and ask for early removal due to lingering nausea or abdominal cramping. In the case of the gastric balloon, early removal can be accomplished utilizing endoscopy. Numerous clinical investigations have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of repeat gastric balloon procedures.
What are the safety precautions that come with using a gastric balloon?
During placement, an x-ray is utilized to ensure the gastric balloon is positioned in the stomach before initiating filling. The balloon can subsequently be visualized using ultrasound and/or x-ray to confirm its position in the body.
The gastric balloon is only administered at centres with a fully staffed follow up team including a physician and a dietician/nutritionist. One common thing to expect from a gastric balloon procedure is the follow up afterwards. Gastric Balloon patients are closely followed to monitor weight loss and balloon tolerance. Although the balloon is a core part of the weight loss experience, attending nutritional counselling sessions and implementing the recommendations of the weight loss team are essential to maximize results.
See also: Considering an Intragastric Balloon
What are the first steps that someone should consider when beginning their weight loss journey?
The beginning of a weight loss journey can be a time of anxiety and radical change. With Elipse™, you’re not in this alone. Your physician and weight loss team are there to support you as you transition into a new way of eating and thinking about food.
Can anyone get the gastric balloon or is it reserved for people with a BMI over 35, like gastric bypass surgery?
A gastric balloon is indicated for patients with a body mass index greater than 27. This includes both overweight and obese patients. Patients with a prior history of open surgery are contraindicated (including patients who have had a prior bariatric procedure). Compared to gastric bypass surgery what are the differences in terms of the aftermath of the procedure and recovery time? Unlike surgery, placement of a gastric balloon requires no anesthesia or incisions. Immediately after placement, patients can return home. Some patients do experience a few days of intolerance symptoms which can include nausea and vomiting. In most patients, these symptoms can be controlled with medication and rest.
Our thanks goes to Nugenesis Ltd for their assistance with this article. To find out more about Nugenesis and the Elipse Balloon visit their website: elipseballoon.co.uk
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