Gastric Balloon Surgery

What is the Gastric Balloon?

Successful weight loss programmes should help you lose weight AND keep the pounds off over time.

The gastric balloon programme combines a clinically proven way to reduce hunger with your own team of experts. The gastric balloon is inserted into the stomach, inflated and the filled with saline. 

It will stay in place for 6 months to help you learn the habits of healthy eating and kickstart your weight loss, after which time it is removed.

Beginning your programme

As an eligible candidate, you will begin your programme by meeting with a physician and nurse to discuss the programme in detail. Your Patient Care Co-ordinator will take you through each step of the programme and give you all the relevant advice.

The out patient procedure generally takes 20-30 minutes, after which you will be cared for in your room until you are able to go home the same day.
 

The Gastric Balloon

The gastric balloon is a soft, silicone sack that is inserted into the stomach and filled with sterile saline. With the gastric balloon you will have a feeling of satiety, or lack of hunger. The gastric balloon will be removed after 6 months.

With the help of the gastric balloon, you can more easily adopt the lifestyle changes that you will need to lose weight.

Gastric Balloon Diet

The first week you will be on a liquid diet with instructions to drink lots of water. After the first week, the dietician will recommend solids. You will receive instructions on your initial solid-foods nutrition regime with calorie restrictions.

During the six months that the gastric balloon is in place, there will be a gastric balloon diet programme and meetings with your team to measure your weight loss progress and for education and training. This period is important to prepare you for maintaining weight loss after the gastric balloon is removed.

The gastric balloon gives you a window of opportunity to adapt to the lifestyle changes you must make in order to maintain your ideal body weight.

Education and training

During the regularly scheduled meetings with your team, you will learn the principles you need to manage your weight, and to promote long-term health. Some of these will include nutrition, exercise, eating behaviours and psychological issues related to food. While learning, you will be motivated by your success and turn these principles into habits that will serve you for the rest of your life.

Advantages of the Gastric Balloon

The balloon programme, by comparison, offers many distinct advantages over conventional diets and weight loss programmes. With the balloon you will:

• Have a feeling of fullness

• Lose more weight than with other programmes

• Be supported by a team of medical experts

• Learn principles for long-term success

• No need for general anaesthetic so less risk of complication.

The gastric balloon is not a magic pill, but a tool to change your lifestyle. Taking part in the programme will give you the education and support to change your lifestyle habits and have a better chance for long-term success.

Pregnancy or planned pregnancy

As with all medical procedures, there are potential risks of unforeseen, unknown or adverse reactions to medications and the procedure itself. Please discuss your questions and expectations about the programme with your physician and evaluate the benefits against the possible risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have listed here some of the more commonly asked questions from our patients about the Gastric Balloon Programme.

Q: How much weight will I lose?

You can experience significant weight loss averaging between 15-20 kilos, however your results will depend on how well you follow the programme and adjust your eating habits.

Q: Will I be able to feel the gastric balloon in my stomach?

There will be discomfort during the first few days. After that, the primary sensation of the gastric balloon is a feeling of satiety or fullness.

Q: Are there side effects or complications with the gastric balloon?

The first 10 - 21 days can be very difficult. Cramping, nausea and vomiting are normal and should be expected. It is very important that you follow your doctor’s instructions and drink plenty of fluids. Medication will be available to help ease the discomfort.

Q: How is the gastric balloon inserted in the stomach?

The gastric balloon is a soft, silicone sack that is inserted into the stomach through the oesophagus and filled with a sterile saline.

Q: Who makes the Gastric Balloon device?

The Gastric Balloon is made by Allergan. They also provide the LAP-BAND® or gastric band.

Mills Medical Group is the UK and Europes largest provider of weight loss surgery and work closely with Allergan on these and a number of other areas too.