A Gastric balloon, also known as intragastric or stomach balloon, is a temporary and removable device that is placed in the stomach through the mouth. The surgery is an incision free, minimally invasive weight loss procedure that most individuals with a lower BMI who might not be candidates for other bariatric surgeries may see as a very good option. Gastric balloon surgery can also help severely obese people reach a safer weight before undergoing a more invasive surgery.
How it works
No matter which gastric balloon is inserted, most work the same way. The balloon is placed endoscopically (through the mouth), and by taking up space in the stomach and restricting food intake, it helps achieve weight loss.
The procedure usually takes 20 to 30 minutes to perform. No overnight hospital stay is required.
First, your surgeon will numb your throat with an anesthetic, then the balloon is inserted using tiny endoscopic instruments. Using these instruments, your surgeon will fill the balloon using saline solution or air. The balloon will float freely inside your stomach and will be too large to pass into the bowels.
The average balloon reduces the volume of the stomach by less than 50%. This helps you feel fuller quicker and stay full for a longer period of time, effectively reducing the amount you need to eat to feel satisfied.
The benefits
- No major surgery
- No medication
- More budget friendly than other bariatric surgeries
- The gastric balloon is a temporary device that can be removed (it’s reversible)
- Available to patients with lower BMI who don’t qualify for other bariatric surgeries
After
Once the gastric balloon is removed your stomach will return to normal. Many patients report that even after their balloon was removed they felt more inclined to continue eating in smaller portions thanks to the eating habits that they had developed during the time that they lived with the gastric balloon, thus resulting in ongoing weight loss and making the gastric balloon one of the most cost-effective and reliable weight loss procedures available.
At Bariatric Surgery Tijuana we are dedicated to providing the highest quality of surgical weight loss management in a caring and compassionate setting.
