Notes

Weight Loss Balloon
A weight loss balloon, also called a gastric or intragastric balloon, is an inflatable medical device placed inside the stomach to help a person lose weight. Patients are usually candidates for this procedure if exercise and diet have not been successful. It is not an effective method for those who are not candidates for surgery.
Intragastric balloons are a non-surgical option for weight loss

A new procedure has emerged for weight loss called an intragastric balloon, and it is now approved by the FDA. It is a non-surgical procedure that fills the stomach with a balloon filled with saline. This procedure has been proven to help patients lose two to three times more weight than with diet and exercise alone. After the balloon is placed, the patient must follow a strict lifestyle for six months to maintain the weight loss effect.

A thin tube is inserted into the stomach to insert the balloon. The balloon remains in place for up to six months, but it may need to be replaced after that time. It is a minor procedure and usually takes less than 30 minutes. Most patients can go home the same day, and can resume normal activity a few hours after the procedure.
They are saline-filled balloons

Weight loss balloons are saline filled balloons that are implanted in the stomach to help reduce excess weight. The procedure is done under sedation and involves inserting a thin tube down the throat. A camera attached to an endoscope is used to help the surgeon fill the balloon. The procedure lasts between 30 minutes and two hours. Patients can go home after the procedure.

One of the two types of weight loss balloons is the ReShape Duo. This balloon is filled with saline and placed in the stomach using an endoscopic guidewire. The balloon can hold up to 900 mL of saline and can take up a significant portion of the stomach. Weight loss balloons are considered safe to use and can last up to six months.
They are placed in the stomach

Weight loss balloons are devices that are placed in the stomach to help a person lose weight. The device fills up to 50% of the stomach and slows down the passage of food and liquids, helping the patient feel full and train him or her to eat smaller meals more frequently. Patients are closely monitored and worked with by a dietitian and the care team during the ballooning process. After the balloon is removed, patients continue to receive close follow-up and counseling for the following six months.

Weight loss balloons are a non-surgical procedure that takes about 20 minutes. The balloon is filled with saline and placed in the stomach. The patient is then required to follow a healthy eating plan and exercise program for six months after the balloon is placed. During the six-month recovery period, patients can lose twenty to fifty pounds. After this time, patients are encouraged to continue healthy eating habits.
They are removed after 6 months

Most people can continue to eat their normal diet after the weight loss balloon is removed. This is not a lifelong solution to weight loss , but it is a valuable way to maintain weight loss . After the balloon is removed, the patient should continue to follow a healthy diet and exercise program to maintain their results.

The procedure is a simple, outpatient, non-surgical procedure that takes 30 to 40 minutes. The balloon stays in the stomach for about 6 months, and then it is removed through a similar outpatient procedure. Patients also receive ongoing support for up to six months.
Complications

Weight loss balloon surgery can lead to complications, such as bleeding and ulcers. Some of these complications occur due to the balloon leaking and injuring the digestive tract. If this happens, an additional surgical procedure may be required to remove the balloon. Infection is another common side effect of this procedure. Bacteria can grow in the balloon and cause an infection, which requires antibiotics to cure.

Gastric perforation is another complication of the procedure. This can occur when the balloon is placed in a patient's stomach under conditions of constant pressure or contact. In severe cases, the balloon may perforate the stomach and cause ischemia or an ulcer. If left untreated, this can lead to a fatal complication. Despite the risks, proper surgical supervision can avoid perforations and other complications.
Cost

The cost of a gastric balloon varies significantly depending on the location. Some procedures can cost as little as $4,500, while others can run as high as $12,000! Gastric balloon prices vary widely by geographic location, and the costs of these procedures tend to track with health care costs, education costs, and rents. The procedure itself is not particularly complicated and can take just 20 to 30 minutes. The most important consideration is whether the price includes both placement and removal, which are two separate procedures separated by about six months.

A gastric balloon procedure can be costly, but it is an easy, safe, and noninvasive alternative to more invasive bariatric surgery. While most patients are able to afford the procedure, it may not be practical for those with certain health conditions.
Read More: https://blogs.nmit.ac.nz/showcase/question/stomach-balloon-procedures/