The gastric or intragastric balloon is a temporary procedure that serves as an adjunct to a weight loss program.
It is indicated in people who are obese or overweight associated with other disorders (such as type 2 diabetes). It can be useful for patients with morbid obesity as a treatment prior to bariatric surgery.
Treatment objective
The objective of this treatment is to create a feeling of fullness and early satiety and therefore less hunger, since the balloon occupies a large part of the stomach , favoring the acquisition of adequate dietary habits that help to continue with weight loss once removed the ball. The combined treatment of a hypocaloric diet together with the placement of the balloon achieves significant weight loss.
When obesity is severe and conservative measures have failed, bariatric surgery is the most effective way to achieve lasting weight reduction in patients with morbid obesity and to improve the health problems associated with this disease.
When is the intragastric balloon indicated?
The intragastric balloon is a temporary treatment that manages to reduce weight significantly and is normally indicated in two situations:
Those patients who do not have an indication for bariatric surgery but in whom the desired weight loss is not achieved with changes in diet, physical activity and medication.
Those patients who do have an indication for surgery but present a high surgical risk. The intragastric balloon is placed first to achieve significant weight loss and surgical intervention is now possible.
Most frequent indications of this treatment:
- Overweight with associated diseases ( diabetes …).
- Severe obesity (BMI> 35 kg / m2).
- Morbid obesity (BMI> 40 kg / m2), as a bridge to surgery.
How is the intragastric balloon placed?
The placement of an intragastric balloon is carried out by endoscopy, it is not a surgical technique and must be carried out by specialists in digestive endoscopy.
It is performed on an outpatient basis and with deep sedation, performed by an anesthetist. The procedure consists of introducing a deflated silicone balloon through the mouth until it is placed in the stomach.
Once placed in the stomach it is filled with a sterile saline solution. The balloon remains “floating” in the stomach and produces a great feeling of satiety, thus reducing the patient’s food intake.
The duration of this procedure is around 30-45 minutes and although it is performed under anesthesia, hospital admission is not normally required.
What risks does the placement of the intragastric balloon entail?
The placement of the intragastric balloon is a minimally invasive intervention, the procedure is simple and fast, lasts between 15 and 20 minutes and does not require hospitalization.
The intragastric balloon treatment lasts 6 or 12 months, after this time, the balloon is withdrawn almost with the same intervention, that is, in this case, the balloon is punctured and it is also removed through endoscopy.
What complications can there be with the intragastric balloon?
The complications of the intragastric balloon are minimal, the first days after implantation, the patient may experience nausea , vomiting and abdominal pain , these discomfort last between 24 and 72 hours. There are very few cases in which this treatment causes intolerance and must be withdrawn.
What are the advantages of intragastric balloon implantation?
- The implantation of the intragastric balloon is minimally invasive, and without surgery, because it is performed by endoscopy
- The procedure for inserting and removing the balloon is painless and does not cause discomfort to the patient
- A redirection of the eating habits and lifestyle of the patient is made
- The patient must be treated by a multidisciplinary medical team that will provide medical, nutritional and psychological assistance
- Complications in the duration of treatment are minimal