Gastric Balloon (12 months) in Madrid

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 (12 months) at the Hospital Universitario HLA Moncloa 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

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 at the Hospital Universitario HLA Moncloa is the same procedure as in the 6-month treatment:

• 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.
• On the day of the balloon removal, the patient must arrive at the Hospital Universitario HLA Moncloa having fasted from liquids and solids for at least 8 hours.
• Before starting the removal procedure, deep sedation is administered to the patient so they are asleep during the process.
• Once the patient is sedated, the endoscope is inserted through the mouth until it reaches the stomach.
• With the help of a needle catheter, the balloon is punctured, and all the liquid inside is then aspirated until it deflates.
• Once empty, the balloon is removed through the mouth with the help of surgical forceps.
• 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 price of the Gastric balloon (12 months) treatment in Madrid through Operarme is 6.449 €.

This is an all-inclusive fixed price with no extras or final surprises: you will know the final cost of your treatment before confirming that you are proceeding with the process or making the payment.
Furthermore, this fixed price includes all the elements and services necessary to ensure the success of your bariatric treatment.

Below is the breakdown of everything included in the cost of the gastric balloon treatment at Operarme:

• Booking and use of the operating room.
• Fees for doctors, anaesthetists, and the nursing team.
• Outpatient stay.
• Medication and surgical material required for the procedure.
• Balloon.
• Sedation and recovery room booking.
• Medical complications insurance, covering potential eventualities that may occur during the gastric balloon placement procedure and during the 30 days following the intervention.
• 1 follow-up visit after medical discharge.

To request a surgical assessment consultation with the HLA Moncloa Bariatric Surgery Team, click on the “Request appointment” button and solve your weight issues in the safest and fastest way: