Weight loss is a goal for a large number of people. We all know that adjusting our diets and increasing our exercise will eventually help us to obtain the weight goal we have set for ourselves. We also know that bariatric surgery is available to help.
Many people want help with weight loss but do not want to “go under the knife” so to speak. For those individuals the gastric balloon procedure may be the exact solution they are looking for.
What is a Gastric Balloon?
A gastric balloon is a silicone balloon that is placed in the stomach of the patient to reduce the amount of available space. The balloon takes up some space, so smaller amounts of food will make the patient feel satisfied allowing to lose weight without dealing with hunger.
There are two basic gastric balloon choices:
The Orbera
The Orbera is inserted through your esophagus. The doctor does not have to make any incisions and you will have no scars as a result of the procedure.
The procedure to insert the balloon will only take about 20 minutes. You will be mildly sedated so you will not feel any discomfort during the process. The balloon is inserted, and once it is in place in your stomach, the doctor will fill it with sterile saline until it swells to about the size of a normal grapefruit.
After the patient has reached their weight loss goal, their doctor will schedule the removal of the balloon using the same type of procedure that was used for insertion. The patient will be mildly sedated and the doctor will access the balloon via their esophagus. The sterile saline in the balloon will be emptied and the balloon will be extracted.
Benefits of the Orbera Balloon Procedure
- Patients that have this procedure can lose 3.1 times the weight they could lose with simple diet changes and exercise.
- Patients using this method lose about 48% more weight than people who are simply dieting
- Reduction in complications from other health issues such as diabetes
Risks Associated with Orbera
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain or discomfort lasting two or more days
- Excessive belching
- Bloating
- Halitosis
- A feeling like the balloon is moving inside the body
- Guide catheter malfunction
- Bowel obstruction
- Acute pancreatitis
- Ulcers of the stomach
- Overinflation
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn or acid reflux
- Possible death
The Elipse
The Elipse gastric balloon is introduced through a capsule that the patient swallows. The patient will fast for a specified number of hours and then will swallow the capsule on a completely empty stomach. The capsule has a very thin tube attached.
The tube is not swallowed. Your doctor will use the tube to fill the balloon with saline solution after it has entered the stomach. Between 400 and 700 ccs of saline will be introduced into the balloon.
The balloon stays filled and in place for a period of 16 weeks. After this time, the balloon has a thin valve on it that will automatically open and allow the saline to drain out of it. Your body will then process and expel the remnants of the balloon through natural waste processes.
Benefits of the Elipse
- Painless
- No surgical incisions
- Safe
- Effective
- No anesthesia required
- Vegan friendly capsule surrounding the balloon
Risks Associated with the Elipse Balloon
- Possible balloon malfunction
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain or discomfort lasting two or more days
- Excessive belching
- Bloating
- Halitosis
- Acute pancreatitis
- Ulcers of the stomach
- Overinflation
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
Who makes a good candidate for the gastric balloon procedure?
People with health conditions that could be improved by weight loss are often encouraged to undergo such a procedure. Some of the people who are most frequently recommended for a gastric balloon are:
- People who suffer from Type OO diabetes
- People with high blood pressure
- People with gastroesophageal reflux disease
- People who have coronary artery disease
- People with high cholesterol
- People with osteoarthritis or severe joint pains
- Anyone who suffers from obstructive sleep apnea
- Anyone diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- People who are overweigh to mildly obese and have a body mass index below 40 kg/m2
What is body mass index?
The body mass index is the measurement of your body compared to your height and age and sex. It is the formula that doctors use when classifying someone as overweight, obese, or morbidly obese.
There are several online body mass calculators that will help you determine your own body mass.
The calculation for this value is BMI = kg/m2 with kg representing the weight of the person and the m2 representing the height of the person in square meters. Most people find using online calculators easier and less confusing than doing the math.
Reasons for Choosing Gastric Balloon Procedures
The biggest reason why people choose to have the gastric balloon procedure, is because you do not have to be morbidly obese to qualify for the procedure. A person can begin to address their weight loss concerns much faster.
The second reason is because they do not have to undergo surgery. With no scarrin involvedg, they take less time off of work and recover faster.
The third reason, is the success rates associated with it. People who have the gastric balloon procedures lose more weight than they would if they used diet and exercise alone.
Miracle Cures or Just Advanced Medicine?
Gastric balloon procedures and weight loss surgical procedures are tools designed to help people lose and control their weight. They are not miracle cures that allow you to continue eating and doing what you are doing now and still lose the weight.
You will go through dietary counseling so you can make the changes to your diet that will help you to keep the weight off and maintain good physical health. You will also be encouraged to exercise more and drink plenty of fluids both during and after your weight loss journey.