What is Gastric Balloon?
The gastric balloon is a non-surgical medical technique for weight loss. It consists of a soft and adjustable silicone balloon placed in the stomach by endoscopy for a period of 6 to 12 months.
Simple and Reversible Functioning:
- The balloon is inserted through the mouth, requiring no incisions.
- Once in place, the balloon is filled with saline or methylene blue solution, giving it its volume.
- The balloon occupies a part of the stomach, reducing the food intake capacity and promoting a faster feeling of satiety.
Two Main Types of Gastric Balloons:
- Adjustable gastric balloon: the volume of the balloon can be adjusted by adding or removing saline solution, allowing the feeling of satiety to be modulated.
- Non-adjustable gastric balloon: the volume of the balloon is fixed and cannot be modified after its placement.
Progressive and Sustainable Weight Loss:
The gastric balloon allows for progressive and sustainable weight loss, reaching up to 10 to 20% of total body weight in 6 to 12 months.
Improvement of Obesity-Related Comorbidities:
Weight loss following the gastric balloon can also lead to an improvement in obesity-related comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.
Who Is It For?
The gastric balloon is an option for people with obesity (BMI over 30) or overweight (BMI over 25) with weight-related comorbidities who have not been able to lose weight by other means.
Advantages:
- Non-surgical and reversible technique
- Progressive and sustainable weight loss
- Improvement of obesity-related comorbidities
- Less invasive alternative to bariatric surgery
The gastric balloon is an effective medical technique for weight loss and improving the quality of life for people with obesity. However, it is important to be well informed and to be supported by a specialized medical team.