Ask the Experts
Gastric Balloon Weight Loss Surgery
Intragastric balloon is a soft silicon balloon filled with 400 to 700 milliliters of saline solution, the balloon is placed into the stomach using a medical endoscope, which is a flexible tube with a light and camera on its tip that goes through the mouth down to the stomach.
The intragastric balloon usually stays inside the stomach cavity for 6 months, after this period, its volume begins to shrink gradually and it must be removed to avoid complications such as slipping into the duodenum and associated bowel obstruction, removal of the stomach balloon is also performed using an endoscope.
The intragastric balloon procedure may be an option if you have concerns about your weight, and diet and exercise haven’t worked for you.
Like other weight-loss procedures, an intragastric balloon requires commitment to a healthier lifestyle. You need to make permanent healthy changes to your diet and get regular exercise to help ensure the long-term success of the procedure.
Why it's done
The placement of an intragastric balloon helps you lose weight. Weight loss can lower your risk of potentially serious weight-related health problems, such as:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Heart disease or stroke
- High blood pressure
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Type 2 diabetes
Gastric balloon removal
The gastric balloon is removed after six months allowing the patient to lose the excess weight. The balloon is removed using an endoscope.
The balloon is removed through the mouth, the same way it was placed. A catheter will be fed to the stomach through the mouth, it will puncture and deflate the balloon. The deflated balloon will be grasped and taken out.
The patient may take a sedative pill or a mild anaesthetic before the gastric balloon is removed.
Gastric balloons are designed to stay in the stomach for six months. After six months they are deflated and removed via endoscopy.
You may experience some pain which can be caused if your oesophagus or stomach is punctured whilst inserting the gastric balloon, although this is very rare. You may also feel pain from the inflation of the balloon, however most people refer to this as more of a discomfort.
The gastric balloon procedure may be particularly useful for people considered too overweight to undergo vital surgery. The use of the balloon to successfully reduce weight prior to surgery can also help to reduce the risks associated with surgical procedures on overweight patients.