The Intra-Gastric Balloon Procedure

The Intra-Gastric Balloon is designed to help and motivate weight-loss with a medical, not surgical intervention. The procedure is highly effective, simple, non-invasive and temporary; the balloon stays in place for 6 months.

The Intra-Gastric balloon is a very good option if the patient is unsure about surgery. The balloon is placed in the stomach to create an early feeling of fullness during a small meal, causing a marked reduction in food intake and therefore further causing a reduction in weight. The best candidates for a balloon include obese patients who do not fulfill the criteria for,  or who would prefer not to undergo bariatric surgery and super-obese patients who must lose weight prior to bariatric surgery in order to prevent complications after the operation.

How it's done...

The balloon is guided endoscopically by a surgeon or a gastroenterologist; a procedure much like a classic endoscopic examination of the stomach (gastroscopy). The procedure lasts approximately 20 minutes. Because of the sleeping drug given before the procedure, the patient wakes up relaxed and has fewer difficulties adjusting to the balloon post-operatively.

The balloon is filled, via an external catheter, with air or a saline solution, depending on the type of balloon used. When filled, the balloon expands and floats freely within the stomach. It then remains in place for a maximum of 6 months before removal, again by endoscopy.

Weight loss...

The result of many studies shows the mean excess weight loss was found to be 36 - 60 percent, depending on the BMI of the patient and the quality of the after-care. The studied weight loss was also accompanied by improvements in obesity-related conditions, such as type-2 diabetes and hypertension.

Because the balloon must be removed after 6 months, long-term maintenance of weight loss is limited. For
good long-term results, it is necessary to combine the use of the Intra-Gastric balloon with a program of behavioural changes designed to maintain weight loss and promote a healthier lifestyle.