Gastric Balloon is the simplest method to help lose weight, a balloon filled with fluid or air is placed in the stomach under mild anaesthesia done in the endoscopy unit. The procedure takes about 15-20 minutes. The balloon limits the amount of food the stomach can hold and creates thereby an early feeling of fullness and satiety, patients can lose about 7-8 pounds in a few months. This balloon can remain in the body for 6 months, or up to twelve months with some newer devices and is removed in 5-6 minutes procedure using an endoscope. The benefits of a gastric balloon are that it offers a non-surgical reversible weight loss treatment option that may help you to develop long term new eating habits. When the gastric balloon is removed you will, hopefully continue with your newly trained lifestyle and eating patterns. You must be committed to a supervised gastric balloon diet and modified lifestyle both whilst the balloon is inserted and after it has been removed for you to not gain the lost weight.
The intragastric balloon is recommended for patients who need to lose about 10 – 30 kg of weight, it is typically suitable if you have a BMI of 27 and higher.
It is also suitable for the people who want a non-surgical treatment option for weight loss. In addition, this procedure may be beneficial particularly for those who are considered to be too overweight to undergo major surgeries, it helps reducing surgical risks associated with overweight.
A gastric balloon works by taking up space in your stomach so that you feel full sooner and need to eat less. The size of the stomach varies from person to person, depending on their weight, gender, and genetics. The average stomach is approximately 1.5L in volume, and so the average balloon (filled to 650 mL) reduces the volume of the stomach by less than 50%.
The main effect of the balloon is that it slows the passage of food and liquid through the stomach. This makes you feel fuller quicker and longer and substantially reduces the amount you need to feel comfortably full.
