“The Balloon”
Some people don’t want to take on the idea of having a surgical procedure to achieve satisfactory weight loss, they simply want a ‘kick-start’ to help them finally lose some weight successfully. Gastric balloon (or Intragastric balloon) is the newest procedure we offer for patients interested in a really minimally invasive way to assist in losing weight, since it does not require surgery. We currently use the Orbera Balloon for our patients.
The gastric balloon may assist in helping patients achieve weight loss in several ways: the balloon may occupy enough space so the stomach holds less food; the balloon may act in some way like a “marble in a funnel”, intermittently blocking the exit of the stomach and delaying how fast the stomach empties of food and liquid allowing patient to “feel full” longer; and the weight (similar to a grapefruit) provides the brain of a continued sense of ‘having just eaten’ and suppressing appetite.
How does ORBERA work?
A deflated balloon is inserted into your stomach and then it is filled to the size of a grapefruit. The entire process usually takes 20 minutes and most people go home hours later.
Are you a candidate for ORBERA?
Only a physical can tell you whether ORBERA is right for you, that’s why a consultation is so important.
But if you’ve tried diet and exercise without success, ORBERA might be the tool for taking control of your eating behavior.
Request your appointment for more information about the benefits, alternatives, and risks of Lap-Band surgery in Beverly Hills email us at [email protected] or Call us at 805.230.0030
Considering intra-gastric balloon?
Because it is a device, gastric balloon is under has additional FDA guidelines. You must be at least 22 years of age and have a BMI (body mass index) between 30 and 40. You must also be aware that the balloon should be removed no later than 6-months after it is placed. Having the balloon in longer tends to lead to little extra weight loss, but slight increase in complications, typically increased discomfort. Because gastric balloon is not intended to be a lifelong procedure like the surgical options, you should maintain a plan to optimize your behavior and diet choices during and after your time with the balloon.
Even though gastric balloon placement is not a surgical procedure, it is still a serious procedure, and all options should be discussed carefully with your surgeon who can fully advise you of the considerations and risks involved.
What’s the intra-gastric balloon procedure like?
Gastric Balloon is an outpatient, “same day” procedure done under ‘twilight’ sedation (or rarely general anesthesia). A flexible camera is used to inspect the stomach and ensure it is healthy. An un-inflated gastric balloon is placed into the stomach and while watching on the camera, the balloon is inflated with sterile saline. The procedure takes about 15 to 20 minutes but may take longer depending on anatomical or technical factors. You can go home from the recovery room. Currently, the gastric balloon is approved for 6-months of therapy at which time it is removed in a procedure very similar to the way it was put in, but the fluid is suctioned from the gastric balloon before it is withdrawn.
What’s life like after intra-gastric balloon?
In our experience, few patients have one- to two-days of nausea, but most patients adapt well and remain comfortable. Rare patients have enough discomfort to remove the balloon before six months.
To optimize the weight loss effect of the balloon, you should employ the same commitment to diet and behavior changes used with weight loss surgeries; Orbera also provides a coaching program that extends beyond the balloon placement if you are interested.
Request your appointment for more information about the benefits, alternatives, and risks of Lap-Band surgery in Beverly Hills:
Email us at [email protected] or Call us at 805.230.0030