In essence, gastric balloons represent an alternative to bariatric surgery for those patients who aren’t diagnosed with class III obesity. More specifically, these patients have lower BMIs (body mass indexes). Typically, as a result of gastric balloon surgery, patients lose around 20 to 50 pounds over the period of six months, which equals approximately 10% to 20% of their total weight.
If you are looking for options regarding gastric balloon surgery in Miami, you should know that our experts, such as Dr. Augusto E. Whitwell, can perform this effective surgical intervention in a matter of minutes.
To learn more about gastric balloons, how the surgery is performed, and what kind of lifestyle changes they require from the patient, please, read on.
Who Qualifies for Gastric Balloon Surgery?
The insertion of gastric balloons for weight loss purposes was approved in the US back in 2015. Typically, people who qualify have a BMI of 30 to 40 and haven’t undergone any other weight loss surgery.
How Are Weight Loss Balloons Inserted?
Typically, these balloons are inserted orally. More specifically, patients swallow a pill. In other cases, the balloon is inserted with the help of endoscopy via the esophagus. Once inserted, the gastric balloon is detached from the stomach. Experts typically fill it with air or saline. Generally, the entire intervention lasts only around 20 minutes.
Essentially, there are two different balloon types patients can choose from. On the other hand, experts may offer only one of these methods, as they specialize in one of these gastric balloons. At Surgical Solutions Miami, patients are encouraged to ask about both options, as our trained experts can effectively perform surgeries for both gastric balloon types.
The Orbera Balloon vs. the Obalon Balloon
As hinted above, the two types of gastric balloons available are the Orbera and the Obalon balloon. Below, we’ll take a closer glimpse at both of them.
The Obalon Balloon
This is the latest gastric balloon type approved by the FDA, and it differs from the other gastric balloon in two significant ways:
- The balloon is inserted into the stomach via a pill that patients conveniently swallow with a glass of water.
- The Obalon balloon is inflated with gas, potentially reducing the risks associated with acute pancreatitis that may occur in balloons that are filled with saline-based solutions.
If patients opt for the Obalon balloon, a total of three balloons will be inserted, with the second only a month after the first, while the third will also be added later during the second month.
The Orbera Balloon
This is among the oldest weight loss balloons in the medical field, with more than 220,000 balloons inserted across the globe, with many satisfied patients.
Orbera options are usually inserted into the stomach via the esophagus with the help of endoscopy. What’s interesting about the Orbera balloon is the fact that it usually comes with a custom application that helps patients tackle the lifestyle changes that come with gastric balloon surgery, giving them support next to their provider, aiming to maximize the intervention’s potential and success rate.
How Do Weight Loss Balloons Work?
Typically, these balloons work in two distinctive ways to help the patient on their weight loss journey.
- For starters, they reduce the room available in the stomach, limiting the amount of food it can hold. In most cases, the stomach is capable of holding around 1.5 liters of food, and for the most part, a typical gastric balloon will take up about 40% of that space, leaving roughly 60% of the remaining space for food. What this means is people won’t be able to eat as much as they were before the gastric balloon surgery.
- Apart from reducing the stomach’s capacity, the weight loss balloon also helps restrict the free passage of water and food. What this means is that it slows down the rate at which food passes through the patient’s stomach, making them feel and stay full quicker and longer.
Still, patients should remember that these aren’t permanent solutions. The balloons are designed to stay in the stomach for no longer than six months, after which they are deflated and removed with an endoscope.
Advantages and Possible Drawbacks of Gastric Balloons
As with every type of weight loss surgery, gastric balloons come with their own set of pros and cons.
Generally, these are the main benefits of gastric balloons:
- Surgery can be bypassed
- Inserting them doesn’t take long
- Patients will be able to lose weight with them
- With the necessary diet and lifestyle changes, the results can be long-lasting
- Patients usually lose around 20 to 50 pounds, often equaling approximately 10 to 30% of their total starting weight
- Patients often report feeling full faster and generally less hungry after the insertion of the gastric balloon
Possible disadvantages:
- In some cases, patients may experience acid reflux which can be managed with prescription medication
- Nausea and vomiting may occur in the first few days following insertion
- Results aren’t guaranteed if the balloon is removed and the patient doesn’t commit to a healthier lifestyle
- Stomach cramps may appear
- Sleeping difficulties may occur due to acid reflux
- Extremely rarely, saline balloons may cause acute pancreatitis
Before And During the Procedure
Before the insertion of the weight loss balloon, patients will be asked not to eat for twelve hours and not to drink for six hours before visiting their provider to avoid becoming nauseous when the balloon is inflated.
The insertion takes no longer than 20 minutes, and depending on the balloon type, patients may be given a light anesthetic or mild sedative.
Following insertion, your provider may prescribe anti-nausea and/or acid-reflux medicine to avoid potentially uncomfortable side effects.
Recovery and Living With the Gastric Balloon
Patients may feel some discomfort after insertion that can linger for some time in some instances. Some discomfort for days is normal, but anything that feels suspiciously abnormal should be reported to your surgeon.
During the very first week, patients aren’t hungry but may experience nausea when eating. They also start losing weight during the first week, but their appetite may slowly return after the second week. Still, patients will require much less food than before.
From the following weeks up to week 26, patients should track their progress, eat slowly, and focus on healthier food choices and regular exercise. This is enough time to explore healthy recipes, different exercise programs, and sports. Also, it gives the patient enough time to find other resources, like support groups and dietitians, to help keep the lost weight off even after balloon removal.
Removing the Balloon
After six months, the surgeon will remove the balloon with the help of endoscopy. Before removal, the balloon will be deflated and grabbed with a grasper that the surgeon inserts via the patient’s mouth.
After the Balloon
After removing the weight loss balloon, patients might not have the tool that makes them feel fuller faster, but they will have an overall better understanding of how their body works and what kind of nutrients it needs to maintain their optimal weight. With a dedicated exercise plan, every patient can successfully keep the excess weight off and live a healthier life.
That said, if you want to learn more about the procedure or healthy nutrition in general, feel free to contact us today.