What Is A Gastric Balloon? The Orbera Intragastric Balloon is a weight loss system that helps obese adults with BMI over 30 and under 40 years. Having failed in other weight loss programs such as exercise, medically controlled diet, or behavior modification programs. To get the Orbera Intragastric Balloon, you must agree to a 12-month weight loss program that begins with balloon placement and continues for six months after surgery and includes an exercise program and a healthy eating plan.
It is not easy to lose weight and keep it away, so you will be under medical supervision during the program by nutritionists, physiologists, and doctors.
Our medical team will help you make the important changes you need in both your exercise and eating habits.
What Is A Gastric Balloon?
An intragastric balloon is a soft silicone balloon that is placed in the stomach and filled with a sterile saline solution. The balloon partially fills the stomach leading to a feeling of fullness. The balloon helps you control your appetite and portion sizes when you eat.
The gastric balloon is a soft bag made of silicone. No anesthetic required. Instead, the procedure is performed according to a small sedative for the comfort and safety of the patient. Once inserted, the bag is ‘enlarged’ by filling it with a sterile saline solution to obtain the correct shape.
Who Is The Gastric Balloon For?
Orbera helps patients lose weight with their stomachs so that people can eat much smaller meals. The balloon is filled with a saline solution that helps patients feel full.
Orbera requires no incisions and is a non-surgical, simple outpatient procedure in endoscopy suites. After receiving anesthesia, your doctor inserts the balloon into a deflated position in your mouth and under your stomach. The balloon will then be filled with seawater until it is as large as the grapefruit. This balloon is soft, smooth, and spherical, so it is not an ulcer.
It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete the whole procedure and patients generally return home the same day. Orbera stays in the stomach for six months.
Non-Surgical Solution
The Orbera balloon is part of the Orbera Managed weight loss system. This system is a non-surgical, complete two-part program that begins when the balloon is installed to fill a large portion of the stomach so that patients can eat less.
- The balloon is held in place for up to six months. During these months, patients often see much of their weight loss. The balloon is placed in place and then you will be given a team of experts who plan an exercise and diet plan and then will guide you in it.
- If the balloon is in your stomach for more than six months, you may have complications. These include potentially fatal bowel obstruction.
- Just as it is installed without surgery, it is also removed this way. Six months after his removal is a good time to keep losing and keep training.
- After the program year, you will have healthier eating habits and make healthier choices, allowing you to continue to lose weight and keep the weight off.
Advantages Of The Gastric Balloon
This balloon is less invasive than many other procedures and is non-surgical and requires either a mild sedative or general anesthesia. There is no cutting, stapling, stomach removal, or extensive surgery. The balloon can be removed, so this is a reversible process.
- Patients can generally return home the same day the procedure is performed.
- This procedure is less expensive because it does not require a long hospital stay.
- For many patients, there is good progress in weight loss during the six months that the balloon is in place, as long as they follow a low-calorie diet given to them by a registered dietitian.
- Improvements in the comorbidities of obesity, such as osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and high blood fats, are caused by weight loss, according to a study using more than 2,500 patients who had a BMI of 44 when the balloon was removed.
Disadvantages of the gastric balloon
Like any surgery, weight loss surgery comes with its own risks and you should be aware of it.
These risks include:
- Some patients find the balloon uncomfortable, which is especially true after insertion.
- The use of the balloon is accompanied by strict monitoring of the diet and exercise program. The balloon insert is used in conjunction with diet and exercise, but can not replace them. A patient who does not stay on the planned exercise and diet program may not have the desired amount of weight loss and lose no weight at all.
- Some complications may result from using this balloon. These include the typical potential risks with an endoscopic procedure and the patient’s ability to handle a foreign object in the stomach.
- There are many possible complications and these include: bowel obstruction, partial or total, without weight loss or insufficient weight loss, weight loss that causes adverse health conditions, stomach discomfort, nausea and vomiting, abdominal or back pain, obstruction prevents entry food in the stomach, acid reflux, bacteria that grow in the balloon fluid and lead to infection, the lining of the digestive system, esophagus or deflation of the stomach and balloon.
Who Is Not Eligible
Sometimes, a patient can not get this balloon. Your doctor will talk to you and find out your medical history and check if you meet the criteria for the balloon.
When the balloon is inserted, the doctor may find internal factors, such as ulcers or irritation of the lining of the stomach, that may prevent you from using the balloon.
If you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeed for the next six months, you may not be able to use this balloon.
We now know what a gastric balloon is. If you need treatment in this regard, our clinic’s surgeons are here to help you. Contact us, get an appointment date, and let’s discuss the process in detail.
How Much is a Gastric Balloon? Everything You Need to Know
Before you decide, you’ll want to know how much is a gastric balloon? The cost of a gastric balloon weight loss depends on a few factors. It can range anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, depending on your provider and the specific procedure. This includes the cost of the device itself, as well as the procedure to place it in your stomach. When considering the gastric balloon cost, you should also factor in potential additional costs such as follow-up care and adjustments. Your insurance may also cover some of these costs. Be sure to check with your provider for more details.
Also, keep in mind that getting a gastric balloon is not a quick fix for weight loss. A healthy lifestyle and diet are key components of achieving and maintaining weight loss over time. So, how much is a gastric balloon? Honestly, it depends completely on your doctor and what can be done about it. However, there are other factors to consider as well when deciding if this surgery for weight loss is right for you. Talk with your doctor and make an informed decision before proceeding.
