INTRAGASTRIC BALLOON

INTRAGASTRIC BALLOON

What is an intragastric balloon?

Since 2002 our medical team has been successfully performing a truly effective treatment in preventing obesity: the intragastric balloon.

Our medical team has now treated more than 1,600 patients.

What does the intragastric balloon do and how does it work?

The intragastric balloon is a soft silicone balloon that is inserted into the stomach and filled with sterile physiological solution, to produce the sensation of satiation and lack of appetite. It is inserted using an endoscope and removed in the same way.

The intragastric balloon is indicated in patients who are moderately, severely or morbidly obese and have not managed to lose weight progressively with other programmes (in accordance with the criteria established by the Spanish Society for the Study of Obesity). Its use for losing weight before any type of surgery can reduce the risks associated with operations in obese patients.

The intragastric balloon is an extraordinarily effective procedure for assistance in diets and a programme for changing dietary habits, under the supervision of a professional team.  The key to the success of the balloon is compliance with the subsequent follow-up programme which the patient undertakes to fulfil.

How is the balloon inserted?

The intragastric balloon is made of silicone and inserted through the mouth using an endoscopic procedure for housing it in the stomach. The intragastric balloon is placed in the stomach and inflated with methylene blue stained serum so that in the event of a leak, the patient’s urine will be greenish-blue 60 minutes after the start of the leak (approximately). The balloon can be inflated with a volume of between 400 and 700 cc. The chosen volume will depend on the degree of obesity and the size of the stomach and is defined during the insertion process.

How is the intragastric balloon implanted? What are the following steps?

The insertion of the balloon is completely painless. It is done using an endoscopic procedure (non-surgical) under sedation and the patient feels absolutely nothing when it is inserted. The procedure is performed in about 15 minutes and in 1 hour the patient can go home.

Once the balloon has been inserted, what treatments must be followed?

The implanting of the balloon involves a minimum degree of risk, but multidisciplinary medical control should be exercised after it has been inserted. The patient is prescribed a dietetic treatment which helps them change their eating habits and our endocrine specialist will supervise aspects such as diabetes or hypertension.

Monitoring of the process and removal

After the first few weeks the body will have adapted to the balloon and the patient will be put on a nutrition plan and have resumed his/her normal activities.

During the next six months it is essential to visit the doctor and the medical assistance staff to control weight loss and receive instructions, depending on the progress made. This period is important for maintaining the weight loss after the balloon is removed.

During the time the intragastric balloon is inserted, the patient should carefully follow and notify any unusual change in the way he/she feels.

How is the balloon removed?

The procedure for removing the balloon is similar to the one used to insert it. A tube is placed in the mouth and the balloon is deflated and then removed through the oesophagus and mouth after deflation. Certain aspects should be considered before removing it:

Adopt healthy eating habits

The intragastric balloon is a training tool. The balloon gives patients a window of opportunities to allow them to adapt to the changes they must make in their lifestyles in order to maintain the ideal body weight. For this reason it is very important to keep up the good habits learned from the assistance staff and convert the new nutrition plan into a long-term change in their lifestyles.

What problems could the intragastric balloon cause?

As in any medical procedure, there is a risk of unforeseen, unknown and adverse reactions to the medicines, procedures and materials used. This may vary, depending on each person. It is likely that during the first three days the patient will feel discomfort and experience cramps, nausea and vomiting.

Who are the most suitable candidates for treatment?

The ideal candidate for implanting the intragastric balloon is a person aged between 18- 60 years with a proven history of attempts to lose weight and failure.

The standard patient profile is based on a Body Mass Index (BMI) of between 30 and 40 kg/m2, with no active organic pathology or psychiatric pathology that could in principle

contraindicate the intragastric balloon treatment.

In addition candidates include patients with a minimum BMI of 28 kg/m2 who have significant medical co-morbid pathologies.

¿How much weight can one lose?