Intragastric Balloons

What is an Intragastric Balloon?

An Intragastric Balloon is an inflatable prosthetic device, which is frequently used as a temporary aid to achieving weight loss in moderately obese patients.

The Intragastric Balloon is endoscopically inserted via the mouth and oesophagus directly into the stomach and then inflated with air or with saline through a valve and port to produce artificial bulk in the stomach. This bulk produces a feeling of satiety (you feel full for longer) and reduces a patient's capacity and ability to consume large volumes of food or fluid in one intake.

As this procedure is only aimed at providing a temporary weight loss solution, the balloon is only left in situation for a maximum of six months.

Who will benefit from having an Intragastric Balloon procedure?

• This procedure can be used in isolation to provide a short-term solution for patients who are struggling to cope with their individual weight loss challenges without additional help to curb their appetite.
• This procedure can be used as an adjunct for the more seriously obese patient who needs short-term assistance in getting to a safer weight before contemplating more complex and permanent weight loss surgery.

How is an Intragastric Balloon procedure carried out?

The surgeon's ultimate aim when inserting an Intragastric Balloon, is to skillfully place the balloon into the stomach without the need for open surgery. This method is known as endoscopic surgery and generally takes about 20-30 minutes to perform. Patients are well sedated but not asleep whilst a deflated balloon is inserted into their stomach directly through the mouth and oesophagus. Once the balloon is in the correct position it is inflated with saline or air through a valve. 

What is the recovery like?

The first few days after the procedure are generally uncomfortable until the stomach becomes used to the presence of the Intragastric Balloon. It is common for many patients to experience nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea and stomach cramping until their body completely adjusts.

Following a procedure, all patients are restricted to a liquid only diet for the first three days, i.e. water, juice, milk, thin soup and sloppy jelly. Gradually a patient's ability to tolerate most types of food will improve, although the volume of food they are able to consume in one intake will be substantially reduced whilst the balloon is in situ.

Dependent on the level of nausea, most patients are discharged on the day of or the day after surgery. In the early days following discharge, patients are strongly advised to stay gently mobile at home, but to avoid any level of activity that would cause undue strain on the abdominal area.

Patients will be advised to take a specific amount of recovery time away from work, dependent on the type of work they perform, but it is usual to take around a week off and to refrain from any strenuous exercise for at least 8 weeks following surgery.

Are there any risks associated with Intragastric Balloon surgery?

On rare occasions the Intragastric Balloon can deflate and/or migrate through the stomach and into the intestines. This can lead to an erosion or obstruction of the stomach or intestine, which would require urgent corrective surgery.

Although Intragastric Balloon procedures are regularly performed without any complications, it is very important that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking this type of specialist weight loss procedure.

All endoscopic procedures, no mater how expertly or carefully they are performed, carry risks and the importance of a full evaluation and consultation to discuss your understanding and expectations with an Expert Gastro-Intestinal Surgeon with specialist skills in weight loss surgery in relation to these risks, cannot be over emphasised.

How do I find out if I am a suitable candidate for Intragastric Balloon surgery?

At Surgical Advisor our Consultant Gastro-Intestinal Surgeons will carry out a full evaluation of your individual needs and circumstances and provide you with a comprehensive verbal and written explanation of any recommended treatment.
 
Our expert weight loss specialist surgeons understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating a weight loss procedure. Throughout your consultation you will therefore be encouraged to ask as many questions as you wish and to take your time in making a decision to proceed with any recommended treatment.

To ensure that patients are comfortable with any recommendations or advice given in their consultation, all patients are asked to go away after a consultation and think through all the information they have received. If for whatever reason you are still not sure about the best course of action and wish to have further dialogue with your surgeon, you will not be expected to pay for a second consultation appointment.

How do I make a consultation appointment?

For further advice on how to make an appointment to consult with an Expert Gastro-intestinal Surgeon in Intragastric Balloon Surgery: 

Please call Surgical Advisor on: 0870 41 41 41 2
Or email us by clicking on: advice@surgicaladvisor.com