Does a gastric balloon work?
Intragastric balloons are becoming more common as a non-surgical fat loss option that is less intrusive than bariatric surgery.
It is a strategy that enables and assists you in getting started on your weight-loss path.
The use of gastric balloons can assist you in learning to adjust your dietary habits and patterns.
The gastric balloon is left in your abdomen for Six months during this two-part procedure.
You will be given portion-sized foods, a special diet, and workout routines to follow throughout this time. Following the removal of the balloon, you would get ongoing personalized lifestyle and dietary advice over the following six months.
Gastric balloons let you feel fuller with little food, helping you feel fuller and preventing you from nibbling between mealtime. Your weight reduction objectives can be met and sustained over time if you stick to the proper exercise and diet once the gastric balloon is removed.
Why is it done?
The placement of a gastric balloon aids weight reduction. Weight loss can reduce the risk of getting potentially weight-related severe medical issues, such as:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Stroke or heart disease
- Blood pressure that is too high
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- NAFLD, also known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
- Diabetes type 2
Specific weight-loss treatments or operations, such as gastric balloon implantation, are mainly performed only when you aim to limit weight by altering your physical activity and dietary habits.
Who is it for?
If you have any of the following symptoms, a gastric balloon could be an excellent choice for you:
Your BMI is somewhere between 30 – 40.
You are willing to make healthy lifestyle choices, see a doctor regularly, and engage in behavioral treatment.
You have never undergone stomach and esophageal surgery before.
Risks
For anyone that is overweight, gastric balloons are not the best option. Instead, a screening will assist your doctor in determining whether the surgery is right for you.
However, at times, medical insurance might not even cover the costs of inserting and retrieving the gastric balloon, so it’d be an out-of-pocket charge.
Approximately one-third of patients experience stomach pain shortly after a gastric balloon is inserted. These problems, however, generally only persist a couple of days just after the balloon is placed. These symptoms are commonly treated effectively with oral drugs.
Serious adverse effects are possible following gastric balloon insertion; however, they are uncommon. Nevertheless, contact your doctor right away if you have nausea, vomit, or stomach discomfort following surgery.
Deflation of the gastric balloon is a possible problem. There’s also a chance that while the balloon shrinks, it will pass via your digestive tract. This might cause a blockage, requiring a repeat procedure or operation to fix the device.
Overinflation, severe pancreatitis, ulceration, or a perforation in the stomach, which may require surgery, are all possible dangers.
How do you get ready?
When you have a gastric balloon inserted into your abdomen, your medical team will offer you precise preparation advice. Before your operation, you might have to undergo a series of laboratory tests and examinations.
In the days preceding up towards the surgery, you might have to limit what you consume, including which drugs you use. It is also possible that you will be forced to begin a physical exercise program.
When diets and other weight-loss methods do not work,
Even though a weight-loss operation or treatment works appropriately, it is conceivable that you may not lose much weight or that you will gain weight afterward. In addition, when you do not make the advised lifestyle adjustments, you may gain the weight back. You need to make permanent healthy dietary modifications and engage in routine exercise and physical activity to prevent gaining weight.
Conclusion
Gastric balloons can help you lose 20-30% of your weight.
Many studies have found that the gastrointestinal balloon can help you slim down in a year than dietary adjustments only. If the client follows the specified food patterns and exercises regularly, the patient will have the best and most long-term results.
According to research, most weight reduction happens in just the first three months; nevertheless, the period for losing weight may vary across people.
The gastrointestinal balloon’s effectiveness depends on the second component of the plan, which is a good lifestyle. Monthly appointments with your clinician allow you to assess your weight reduction progress and receive assistance and information.
