Intragastric balloon placement is a weight loss procedure that involves placing a saline-filled silicone balloon in your stomach. This helps you lose weight by limiting how much you can eat and making you feel full faster.
If you are concerned about your weight and diet and exercise have not worked for you, intragastric balloon procedure may be an option.
Like other weight loss procedures, an intragastric balloon requires adherence to a healthier lifestyle. You need to make permanent healthy changes to your diet and exercise regularly to help ensure the long-term success of the procedure.
Inserting an intragastric balloon helps you lose weight. Weight loss can lower your risk of potentially serious health problems related to weight, such as:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Heart disease or stroke
- Hypertension
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- 2 types of diabetes
Intragastric balloon placement and other weight loss procedures or surgeries are usually done after trying to lose weight by improving your diet and exercise habits.
Intragastric balloon may be an option for you if:
- Your body mass index (BMI) is between 30 and 40
- You are willing to make healthy lifestyle changes, receive regular medical follow-up, and participate in behavioral therapy
- If you have not had stomach or esophagus surgery before
Gastric balloons are not the right choice for anyone who is overweight. A screening process will help your doctor see if the procedure will work for you.
Risks
Pain and nausea affect about a third of people immediately after the intra-gastric balloon is inserted. However, these symptoms usually only last for a few days after the balloon is placed. These symptoms can often be managed with oral medications at home.
Although rare, serious side effects may occur after the intragastric balloon is placed. If you experience nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain at any time after surgery, call your doctor immediately.
One potential risk involves lowering the bubble. If the balloon deflates, there is also a risk that it will move through your digestive system. This could cause a blockage that may require an additional procedure or surgery to remove the device.
Other possible risks include excessive swelling, acute pancreatitis, ulcers, or a hole (perforation) in the stomach wall that may require surgery to correct.
How do you prepare
If a gastric balloon will be placed in your stomach, your healthcare team will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for your procedure. You may need various lab tests and exams prior to your procedure.
You may need to restrict what you eat and drink and what medications you will take during the period leading up to the procedure. You may also need to start a physical activity program.
During the procedure
Intragastric balloon procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure in the endoscopy unit. You will be calmed down for the procedure.
During the procedure, the doctor advances a thin tube (catheter) loaded with an intra-gastric balloon down your throat into your stomach. The doctor then advances an endoscope (a flexible tube with a camera) down your throat into your stomach. The camera allows your doctor to see the balloon while filling it with saline.
The process takes about half an hour. You can normally go home one to two hours after the procedure is over.
Intragastric Balloon: Nonsurgical Procedure
After the procedure
You can take small amounts of clear liquid starting about six hours after the procedure. The liquid diet usually continues until the beginning of the second week when you can start eating soft foods. You will likely be able to start eating normal food about three weeks after the intragastric balloon is inserted.
Intragastric balloons are left in place for up to 6 months and then removed using an endoscope. Then, a new balloon may or may not be placed, depending on the plan determined by you and your doctor.
You will often meet with members of your medical team, such as your nutritionist and psychologist, after your procedure.
Results
The gastric balloon can make you feel full faster than you normally would when eating, which usually means you eat less. One reason may be that the intragastric balloon slows down the time it takes to empty the stomach. Another reason could be the bubble’s appearance.
