What is a Gastric Balloon?

A gastric balloon is an inflatable silicone balloon inserted into your stomach that makes you feel full sooner so that you eat less. It can stay there for up to 12 months. There are a number of balloons available on the market. Some require an anaesthetic to insert, others can be swallowed, and the position confirmed with an x-ray.

Gastric Balloon Sydney – benefits

— Performed as a day procedure.
— Simple procedure with no cutting/removal of stomach or intestines.
— Fully reversible, balloon can be removed at any time.
— Approximately 33% excess body weight loss (the difference between their weight before the operation and their healthy weight.
— Early return to work usually after 1 to 2 days, depending on how soon your stomach settles and your type of work. Much shorter compared to e.g. RYGB or OAGB.

Is a Gastric Balloon suitable for me?

If your BMI score is over 27 and less than 35, a gastric balloon may be a good option to help you achieve weight loss. A gastric balloon can only stay in place for up to 12 months.

A gastric balloon can be used to help you to lose weight to prepare for weight-loss surgery or for an operation that you have been refused until you lose enough weight to reduce the risk of serious complications.

Is the Gastric Balloon safe?

Yes – in the hands of a bariatric surgeon, intragastric balloon insertion is a safe, widely regarded, and effective weight loss solution. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and complications involved.

Will I regain weight once the Gastric Balloon is removed?

The beauty of the gastric balloon is that while it will be temporary inserted, it is designed to provide long term weight loss. As you become more in tune with a healthy lifestyle and consuming smaller portions, this will make continuing on the weight loss journey sustainable once the balloon is removed. However, it is imperative that you continue to lead a healthy, balanced lifestyle once the balloon is removed, or you may regain weight. As such, the procedure is not a ‘quick-fix’ solution for weight loss – it will be most effective when implemented alongside serious, long term lifestyle changes.

Will my diet need to change with a Gastric Balloon?

Yes – the gastric balloon procedure will be most effective for weight loss when you are able to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle through diet and exercise. For the first few weeks, you may need to stick to a liquid or soft diet. From there, Dr. Mark Magdy and his team will provide a plan and supervise your diet to ensure you’re making the behaviour modifications necessary to lose weight and sustain weight loss.

Is the Gastric Balloon painful or uncomfortable?

For some patients, they may experience mild discomfort during and following the insertion of the gastric balloon. The inflation and process of filling the gastric balloon can be uncomfortable. However, these symptoms are temporary and should dissipate after the first few days following the procedure.

How does the Gastric Balloon work?

There are a variety of different balloons available in Australia. Generally, an intragastric balloon procedure will involve the insertion of a specialised balloon inside the stomach, designed to limit the amount of space in the stomach. This can help the patient to feel full sooner, limiting food intake to smaller portions and assisting weight loss.

How soon will I recover?

You should be able to go home the same day or the day after. You may be able to drink liquids for a few days, progressing to soft food and then, after 1 to 2 weeks, solid food. You should be able to return to work after 1 to 2 days, depending on how soon your stomach settles and your type of work. On average, people who have a gastric balloon lose over one-third of their excess body weight (the difference between their weight before the operation and their healthy weight).

Dr. Magdy will need to remove the balloon after 6 to 12 months. This involves another endoscopy.

The week before your balloon is inserted, you will take special medication to help you adjust to the new sensation of having a gastric balloon.

What does the operation involve?

Inserting a gastric balloon usually takes 30 minutes. It is placed under vision with an endoscopy.

The balloon is attached to a soft tube that is used to inflate the balloon to between 400 to 700 millilitres of saline, depending on the size and shape of your stomach.

There are a number of different balloons available:

The Allurion balloon is a self-swallowable balloon that does not require an anaesthetic for placement. It lasts for approximately 4 months and is broken down by your body to be excreted naturally.

What complication can happen?

— Nausea / vomiting.
— Developing acid reflux.
— Constipation or diarrhoea.
— Failure of balloon.
— Bowel obstruction.
— The balloon will need to be removed after 6 to 12 months, which involves another endoscopy.
— Intolerance requiring early removal of balloon.

How does a Gastric Balloon compare to a Gastric Sleeve?

While both the gastric balloon and sleeve gastrectomy fall under the umbrella of bariatric procedures, they are very different. For starters, an intragastric balloon insertion is much less invasive when compared to a gastric sleeve – the balloon is placed with an endoscopy, whereas a gastric sleeve is a surgically performed procedure that involves surgically removing a portion of the stomach.

The goal of the two procedures is the same: to reduce the size of the stomach, limit food carrying capacity, and reduce portion sizes, and encourage weight loss. Generally speaking, a gastric sleeve will provide more dramatic weight loss, is more invasive, and is a more serious weight loss procedure than a gastric balloon.

How is the balloon removed?

The removal of the gastric balloon is generally performed similarly to the insertion – under sedation and through an endoscopy.