Gastric Balloon (12 months)

The weight loss treatment known as Gastric balloon or Intragastric balloon consists of a high-quality silicone prosthesis in the shape of a balloon that is inserted into the stomach via endoscopy, and filled with a sterile saline solution.

The objective of this device is to reduce the available space in the stomach (food takes longer to leave the stomach), meaning that the feeling of satiety occurs sooner and causes the patient to eat less.

How long is the gastric balloon placed for?

There are two modalities for gastric balloon placement: for 6 or 12 months. The decision to place the balloon for a specific period of time always depends on the patient's profile (weight) and their eating habits:

• 6-month balloon: mainly aimed at patients with a BMI between 25 and 34 (indicative values associated with an overweight or mild obesity profile). This patient profile, requiring moderate weight loss (between 10-15 kg), can achieve short-term results with this modality, as they are less likely to regain the weight.
• 12-month balloon: recommended for patients with a BMI profile higher than 35 (moderate or severe obesity profile). This patient profile needs to lose between 15-30 kg and for this reason the treatment duration is longer, as it is necessary to allow them time to adopt new eating habits before the balloon is removed. In these cases, there is also a higher risk of a rebound effect if a period of psychological and physical adaptation to the new habits is not allowed (nutritional re-education).

Unlike the 6-month balloon, the 12-month balloon is made of more resistant material and has a larger capacity volume as the treatment duration is longer; furthermore, it also requires more controlled monitoring during treatment (mainly through blood tests) compared to the 6-month treatment.

The gastric balloon for a 12-month treatment is more resistant and has a larger capacity volume than the 6-month balloon, as it must remain in the stomach for longer.

This weight loss treatment is primarily aimed at individuals with a BMI higher than 27, who have already attempted to lose weight through diet and exercise without achieving the expected results.

The placement of the gastric balloon is indicated for patients with a BMI between 27 and 40; that is, profiles with overweight or mild to moderate obesity.

The Gastric balloon (6 months) modality is mainly aimed at patients with a BMI between 25 and 34 (indicative values associated with an overweight or mild obesity profile); whereas the Gastric balloon (12 months) treatment is indicated for patients with a BMI higher than 35 (moderate or severe obesity profile).

Requirements for undergoing the treatment also include that the patient must not have previously undergone any other bariatric surgery, and must not have been diagnosed with hiatus hernias or ulcers in the stomach area.

The placement of a gastric balloon for 12 months is a non-surgical treatment: it does not involve incisions or open surgery. It is a 100% endoscopic procedure performed under sedation so that the patient feels no pain during the process and remains asleep.

1. On the day of the balloon placement for 12 months, the patient arrives at the hospital having fasted from liquids and solids for a minimum of 8 hours. As mentioned, the procedure is performed under deep sedation, with the aim of ensuring the patient is comfortable and feels no pain during the device placement process.
2. Once the patient is sedated and asleep, the specialist begins the procedure. First, a camera is inserted to perform an endoscopic review and ensure that everything is fine in the stomach and esophagus, and that there is no trace of hernias, active ulcers, or other conditions.
3. Once the review has concluded, the balloon is inserted through the mouth with the help of an endoscope and a catheter. The balloon is introduced into the patient's stomach (deflated), and once it is confirmed to be inside, the device is filled with saline solution until it reaches the necessary volume. This saline is usually mixed with a dye called methylene blue for safety reasons, as it helps detect potential leaks in the balloon through the urine.
4. Finally, the correct position of the balloon is verified before removing the endoscope and catheter and leaving the balloon free in the stomach.

Once the intervention is finished, the patient is taken to a recovery room where they are monitored until they recover from the sedation.

The total duration of the placement treatment for 12 months is 15 to 30 minutes.

This bariatric treatment is an outpatient surgery: the patient returns home on the same day as the procedure without the need for a hospital stay.

Is prior preparation needed for this procedure?

Yes, it is necessary to follow a liquid diet in the days prior (2-5 days) to the treatment, as it is important to prepare the stomach for the device placement.

Additionally, it is important to arrive having completely fasted for a minimum of 8 hours on the day of the balloon placement.
Since it is not an invasive surgery and does not require general anaesthesia, a full preoperative study is not necessary before the procedure.

Even so, a prior medical evaluation is performed during the surgical assessment consultation for the treatment, in which the patient's medical records, BMI, and previous blood tests are reviewed; in some special cases, diagnostic tests such as an electrocardiogram or digestive tests may be requested.

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During the first 3 days after the placement of the 12-month balloon, it is normal for the patient to experience various symptoms, such as nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, or a feeling of bloating, as the stomach has to adapt to the balloon itself.

The specialist usually prescribes medication to help the patient manage these symptoms during the first few days; however, it is normal to feel discomfort even with the help of medication.
Regarding the diet to follow during the first few days after the device implantation, one must start with a liquid-based diet and then progressively adapt to a solid diet:

• During the first 5 days, the patient must only consume liquids such as water, broths, herbal teas, light vegetable creams, and yogurts or protein shakes.
• From the fifth day onwards, soft solids can be introduced to gradually progress towards a normal diet.

It is also very important to rest and avoid heavy exertion during the first few days of the post-operative period. After 2-3 days from discharge, the patient can begin to lead a normal life with caution, and depending on their profession, they may return to work.
In less than 1 week, the patient returns to a normal routine and resumes daily activities.

Evolution and follow-up during the months of the 12-month gastric balloon treatment

As the weeks go by, the patient's stomach fully adapts to the balloon and results begin to be noticed during the very first weeks: there is a significant reduction in the patient's appetite, leading to progressive and meaningful weight loss.

During the months of the 12-month treatment, the patient typically loses between 15 and 30 kg (this always depends on the specific BMI the patient starts with at the beginning of the treatment).

The patient's objective with a 12-month balloon is weight loss and its maintenance by adapting to new eating habits.

During the 12 months that this treatment lasts, the patient has the necessary time to progressively lose the required weight, learn to adapt physically and psychologically to new eating habits (reduction in portions consumed), and finally, to maintain the new body weight and habits once the balloon is removed from the stomach.

Due to the long duration of this treatment, nutritional follow-up is necessary: occasional blood tests are performed to ensure there are no vitamin or iron deficiencies due to the reduced food intake over a long period.

Once the 12 months have passed since the start of the treatment, it is time for the removal of the balloon.

The removal process of the gastric balloon at 12 months is the same procedure as in the 6-month treatment:

1. Prior preparation: The patient must follow a liquid diet in the 48-72 hours prior to the day of the device removal to prepare the stomach.
2. On the day of the balloon removal, the patient must arrive having fasted from liquids and solids for at least 8 hours.
3. Before starting the removal procedure, deep sedation is administered to the patient so they are asleep during the process.
4. Once the patient is sedated, the endoscope is inserted through the mouth until it reaches the stomach.
5. With the help of a needle catheter, the balloon is punctured, and all the liquid inside is then aspirated until it deflates.
6. Once empty, the balloon is removed through the mouth with the help of surgical forceps.
7. Before removing the endoscope, the stomach is checked to ensure everything is fine.

The entire procedure for the removal of the gastric balloon (12 months) takes approximately 15-30 minutes.

The gastric balloon (12-month treatment) offers numerous benefits for improving the patient's quality of life:

• It is a minimally invasive and safe treatment that does not involve surgery or irreversible changes to the stomach anatomy.
• One of its greatest advantages is rapid weight loss thanks to the balloon device and the reduction in appetite.
• The patient generally loses between 15kg - 30kg of their initial body weight during the 12 months of treatment.
• Another benefit is that it provides a long period for the patient to adapt to new eating habits over the 12 months of treatment (nutritional re-education).
• Another advantage is that, as it is not an invasive surgery, the patient receives a hospital discharge on the same day as the endoscopic procedure.
• In some cases, it can even help improve associated conditions such as hypertension or the risk of diabetes.

As with any medical treatment, the placement of the gastric balloon for 12 months may involve discomfort and certain (uncommon) risks such as the following:

• During the first 24-72 hours after being discharged from the hospital, the patient experiences various symptoms, ranging from nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting, while the stomach "gets used" to the gastric balloon device.
• Balloon defect: it is unusual, but it can happen that there is a defect in the balloon and it deflates, meaning it begins to lose the liquid injected during the procedure. In this case, the patient will notice this situation if their urine turns blue due to the dye contained in the saline.
• Rebound effect: there is a risk of suffering a rebound effect after the removal of the gastric balloon: if the patient has not managed to adapt to the new eating habits, they will regain the lost weight.
• In the case of gastric balloons for 12 months, there may be a risk of ulcers due to irritation caused by the continuous rubbing of the balloon against the stomach walls. This risk is unusual since the material of the balloons is designed to minimise friction, and furthermore, the patient usually takes gastric protectors during the treatment.
• In rare cases, the patient may suffer side effects such as acid reflux or dehydration.
• Finally, in exceptional and serious complications, there may be cases of intestinal obstruction or oesophageal tearing. These types of complications are quite infrequent, occurring in less than 2%.

At Operarme, we work to make your medical treatment process as comfortable as possible for you, so that your only concern is your health.

We offer several benefits if you decide to purchase our service and undergo treatment with us:

• Personalised attention throughout the surgical process: our Patient Service team will manage all the details and dates for your treatment, accompanying you at every stage of the process to guide you and resolve any doubts.
• All-inclusive fixed price: you will know the final price from the very beginning.
• Free surgical assessment consultation: so that you can evaluate your case with one of our specialists and decide whether you wish to proceed with the treatment through Operarme, with no obligation.
• Medical complications insurance: we include a medical complications insurance in the fixed price of this treatment, covering potential eventualities that may occur during the gastric balloon placement procedure and in the 30 days following the intervention.

If you are considering treating your weight issues with a gastric balloon, remember that at Operarme you can request an immediate and free surgical assessment consultation with our specialists via our contact form, by calling at +34 91 141 33 56, or by clicking below:

Are you interested in the Gastric balloon (12 months) treatment?

Request appointment for a free surgical assessment without the wait with our Bariatric Surgery specialist.

Request appointment