Gastric Balloon: How Does it Work and Is it Effective for Weight Loss?
People who are medically or morbidly obese may find it difficult to shed excess pounds and gain control of their health. When diet and exercise fail to provide adequate weight loss, many consider surgery. Bariatric surgery alters the stomach and digestive tract to reduce appetite, minimize calorie absorption, and encourage weight loss.
The team at Tijuana Bariatrics, in Tijuana, Mexico, works with patients to create a treatment plan and coordinate bariatric surgery. One potential weight loss solution is the gastric balloon. Here, we’ll talk about the gastric balloon, how it works, and its effectiveness for weight loss. With this information, patients can consider whether or not the technique may be ideal for their unique situation.
What Is the Gastric Balloon?
A gastric balloon is a silicone-filled balloon that sits inside the stomach. A gastric balloon does not permanently reduce the size of the stomach or reroute the intestines the way other bariatric techniques do. During treatment, the balloon passes through the throat and into the stomach via a thin catheter. The patient is sedated during the procedure to ensure comfort. When the gastric balloon is in place, the doctor fills it with saline using the guidance of an endoscope, a small, flexible surgical camera. Gastric balloon placement typically takes less than an hour and is an outpatient procedure.
How Does the Gastric Balloon Work?
The gastric balloon is similar to a lap band in that it restricts the stomach’s capacity and lowers appetite without physically reducing its size. The gastric balloon fills the stomach so patients feel full faster and eat less food than they normally would. The balloon also slows the time it takes to empty the stomach, so patients feel full longer. A gastric balloon remains in place for six months. After six months, the balloon is removed endoscopically. A new balloon can be placed if patients have more weight to lose.
How Effective Is the Gastric Balloon for Weight Loss?
The gastric balloon is an effective weight loss technique for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40 who have not undergone previous stomach or esophageal surgeries. Patients must also be willing to make healthy lifestyle changes, including adopting a nutritious diet and regular exercise routine.
Weight loss results after a gastric balloon procedure vary for each patient and depend on factors such as the amount of weight the patient has to lose and the commitment to a healthy diet and exercise routine. During the six months that a gastric balloon is in place, our Tijuana patients can expect to lose between 6 and 15 percent of body weight.
What Are the Benefits of the Gastric Balloon?
The gastric balloon offers many benefits to individuals striving to lose weight. Some of the most notable advantages of this technique include:
- The gastric balloon is one of the only impermanent gastric procedures
- The gastric balloon does not require surgery
- Treatment has a low risk of complications
- The gastric balloon encourages weight loss which can treat or prevent many weight-related health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes
Contact Tijuana Bariatrics
The team at Tijuana Bariatrics helps patients consider their weight loss options and choose the best way to shed excess pounds and take control of their health and happiness. To learn more about the gastric balloon or other available bariatric techniques, contact our weight loss center and schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience.
