What is an intragastric balloon?

If you're not sure whether to go with surgery procedure an intragastric balloon procedure is the best alternative for you. Medical evidence has shown that it is a good option to achieve a significant weight reduction. Is a newer kind of weight-loss procedure. A saline-filled silicone balloon is placed in your stomach, which helps you lose weight by limiting how much you can eat. It also makes you feel fuller faster.

The treatment is carried out during a period of 6 months where a weight loss of between 8 and 30 kg is achieved, the result depends on the adherence of the patient to the measures of diet and physical activity.

The location of the balloon is performed through endoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure performed through the mouth, without incisions with deep sedation, without hospitalization needed.

The balloon is taken to the stomach and then filled with fluid, achieving a volume of between 500 and 700cc, depending on the weight and other characteristics of the patient.

The main objective pursued with a gastric balloon is to facilitate changes in lifestyle, recovering habits of eating and physical activity that allow to the patient lose excess weight and maintain it in the future through of healthy habits.

Although this procedure is effective and minimally invasive, it could presents discomfort in the first day like sensation of gastric repletion (fullness) and sometimes vomiting, accompanied by abdominal pain. These discomforts are mostly controlled with ingested medications, however after the first week the improvement is usually complete and finally a easy fullness after the ingestion of food will stay which is ultimately part of the goal of treatment.

The balloon is removed 6 months after its placement, by means of endoscopy without surgery, and depending on the amount of weight loss and the characteristics of the person, if a complete loss of excess weight has not been achieved, you can try the replacement of the ball and its maintenance for a longer period of time or its definitive withdrawal.

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