What is the 6 month gastric balloon?
To help with weight reduction, doctors sometimes recommend intragastric balloons like the 6-month gastric balloon, which is meant to be left in the stomach for a full six months. Under anesthesia, the endoscope is used to place the balloon into the stomach. When the balloon is in place, it is inflated with saline to take up less room in the stomach. This aids patients in losing weight by making them feel full sooner and causing them to eat less calories.
Some of the most popular intragastric balloons that have been authorized for usage for up to 6 months are:
Orbera: This is one saline-filled, flexible silicone balloon. It’s perhaps the most used intragastric balloon in use today.
Unlike the single Orbera balloon, the ReShape Duo comprises of two balloons that are joined together. The purpose of this design was to improve safety (if one balloon pops, the other one stays there, decreasing the chance of migration and intestinal blockage).
The deflated balloon is placed using an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera at the end). Once the balloon is in place, it is inflated with salt water.
The stomach balloon may stay in place for up to six months.The balloon is deflated and removed by endoscopy after 6 months.Significant weight loss is achieved as a result of the stomach’s reduced capacity to store food.Serves as a springboard for more sustained weight reduction efforts.Gives them a chance to develop more healthful eating routines.Dangers and Adverse Reactions:
Feeling sick and throwing up, particularly in the first few days after the implant has been placed.
Pain or discomfort in the belly.Stomach erosions and ulcers.Risk of intestinal blockage if the balloon deflates and migrates, albeit this is unlikely to happen.Esophagitis with acid reflux disease.
How much does the 6 month gastric balloon cost?
Location: Costs might vary widely from nation to country and even from region to area within a same country.
There may be a price difference between having the treatment done in a hospital and having it done in an outpatient clinic. Prices at private clinics may also vary.
Price for a gastric balloon might vary widely depending on the manufacturer and brand chosen.
The price of the balloon itself, as well as any necessary operations to insert or remove it, as well as any necessary follow-up sessions and dietary advice, may be bundled together by certain service providers. These features might be offered for an additional fee by others.
How much money you have to pay out of pocket depends heavily on whether or not your insurance will cover the cost of the surgery. Depending on the coverage and the location, some insurance companies may not cover intragastric balloons since they are deemed cosmetic operations.
Preoperative testing, postoperative medicine, vitamins, and any unanticipated issues might all contribute to the total price tag.
Are gastric balloons 6 or 12 months?
Gastric balloons, also known as intragastric balloons, are typically designed for short- to medium-term use. The two most common durations for which these balloons are designed are 6 months and 12 months. However, the majority are approved for 6-month use, and that’s the most common duration for patients.
6-Month Gastric Balloons: These are the most widespread in terms of use and include brands like:
Orbera: A single balloon filled with saline.
ReShape Duo: Consists of two interconnected balloons filled with saline.
12-Month Gastric Balloons: These are less common than the 6-month variants, but there are some available, like:
Obalon: This system involves up to three swallowable capsules that release balloons inside the stomach. These balloons are then inflated with gas. The system allows for gradual balloon placement over time, and the balloons can remain in place for up to 12 months.
The decision on which type and duration of balloon to use will be based on the patient’s health, weight loss goals, and the recommendation of the bariatric physician. Regardless of the duration, all balloons require endoscopic removal.
Can the gastric balloon stay in longer than 6 months?
The majority of gastric balloons are designed and approved to remain in the stomach for up to 6 months. This time frame is based on safety and efficacy data from clinical trials and the manufacturers’ recommendations.
Keeping the balloon in for longer than its recommended duration can pose several risks:
Balloon Integrity: Over time, the material of the balloon can weaken and become more susceptible to rupture or deflation. A ruptured balloon can pass into the small intestine and potentially cause an obstruction, which is a severe complication.
Stomach Health: Extended exposure to the balloon might increase the risk of gastric ulcers, erosion, or other gastrointestinal complications.
Effectiveness: The balloon’s efficacy might decrease over time, meaning it may not contribute as effectively to feelings of fullness and weight loss after the recommended duration.
Complications: Prolonged presence might lead to more severe complications like gastric perforation or bowel obstruction.
However, some newer balloons have been designed and tested to remain in the stomach for up to 12 months, like the Obalon system. It’s crucial to ensure that the specific type of balloon being used is designed for such extended use.
How many kg can you lose with gastric balloon?
How much weight a person loses after getting a gastric balloon depends on their beginning weight, how well they follow the diet and exercise plans, their general health, and their metabolic rate, among other things. However, during the period of the balloon’s implantation duration (usually 6 months), patients tend to lose between 10% and 15% of their body weight on average.
It is estimated that individuals who begin treatment at a weight of 100 kg (220 lbs) should anticipate to lose between 10 and 15 kg (22 and 33 lbs) over the course of 6 months.
It’s possible that some patients, particularly those who follow the guidelines for nutrition and activity very closely, may have even more weight loss. Although it’s not certain, some people have reported losing as much as 20 kilograms (44 pounds).
Some people may see a smaller weight reduction because they have difficulty sticking to their diet, or because their weight loss is impeded by their medication or a preexisting health condition.
Keep in mind that the gastric balloon is just a tool, and that it works best as part of a larger weight reduction program that also emphasizes healthy eating habits, behavioral adjustments, and regular physical activity. The balloon’s main purpose is to limit how much food the stomach can contain, resulting in satiety more quickly and less eating overall.
What happens hen you remove gastric balloon?
When the tim comes (usually 6 months, or 12 months for some varieties) to remove a gastric balloon, the technique is basic but needs experience and care. Here’s a rundown of what to expect from the extraction process:
In order to make the patient more comfortable and peaceful throughout the treatment, a little sedative is often used.
A small, flexible tube called an endoscope equipped with a light and camera is introduced into the patient’s mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach during an endoscopic procedure.
The balloon’s saline solution (or gas, in the case of gas-filled balloons) is aspirated or removed during deflation after the balloon has been seen. This causes the balloon to lose air.
After deflation, a medical tool is used to grab the balloon and gently draw it out of the mouth.
The removal process typically takes less than 30 minutes, and recovery time is minimal. The patient will spend some time in recovery after the surgery to be watched for any sudden problems. Patients are often dicharged the same day they are medically cleared to do so.
Patients may be instructed to consume just liquids for the first day or two after balloon deflation is completed, before progressing to a normal diet.
Patient pain or nausea may persist for a few days following balloon deflation, similar to the symptoms experienced during balloon implantation.
The patient’s stomach will recover to its normal capacity after the balloon is removed, allowing them to maintain their current weight. Patients who have lost weight while the balloon was in place should continue to implement the behavioral and nutritional changes prescribed by their healthcare providers. Exercise plans, dietary guidance, and frequent check-ins are all possibilities.
Possible Weight Gain: If the patient goes back to their regular eating habits after the balloon is removed, they may gain some of the weight back. Maintaining weight reduction after a balloon procedure requires ongoing motivation and dedication to healthy lifestyle modifications.
Can I eat after balloon removal?
After the removal of a gastric balloon, it’s common for patients to be given specific dietary guidelines to follow. This is to allow the stomach to adjust and to minimize potential discomfort.
Immediately After Removal: Most physicians will recommend starting with clear liquids immediately after the balloon removal. This can include water, clear broths, and diluted fruit juices without pulp.
First Few Days: Over the next day or two, patients might progress to a full liquid diet. This can include milk, smoothies, creamy soups, and yogurt.
Gradual Introduction of Solids: After a few days on a liquid diet, soft foods may be introduced, followed by a gradual return to a regular diet over the next week. This slow reintroduction helps the stomach adjust and can reduce the risk of nausea or discomfort.
Maintaining Healthy Habits: It’s crucial to remember that the gastric balloon was a tool to aid in weight loss, and its removal means the stomach can now hold more food. Therefore, the dietary habits and portion control learned during the balloon’s presence should continue to be practiced to maintain weight loss. Patients are often encouraged to eat small, balanced meals and to avoid overeating.
Stay in Touch with Healthcare Team: Regular follow-ups with the medical team can provide guidance and support as patients adjust to life after the balloon. This can include dietary counseling, recommendations for physical activity, and strategies for long-term weight maintenance.
Monitor for Side Effects: While most people will not experience significant side effects after balloon removal, it’s essential to monitor for signs of gastrointestinal distress or other unusual symptoms. If any concerns arise, patients should contact their healthcare provider.
Can you get a gastric balloon twice?
If both the patient and the doctor think it’s necessary, a second gastric balloon insertion is definitely conceivable. Some things to think about are as follows.
If the patient’s weight loss goal was not met with the first balloon, if they experienced weight regain after the balloon was removed, or if they found the balloon to be a particularly effective tool for managing their weight and eating habits, they may want to try a second balloon.
There will often be some downtime between the two procedures, during which the first balloon will be removed and the second will be inserted. The time frame is flexible, but it must be long enough for the stomach to heal and readjust.
The healthcare professional will do an examination before deciding whether or not to give the patient a second gastric balloon. The patient’s general health, the success of the first balloon, the rationale for contemplating a second balloon, and any dangers or contraindications will all be taken into account during this review.
For long-term success, the gastric balloon should be considered with other methods of weight loss. Even though the balloon may help the patient feel full for longer, dietary and lifestyle adjustments are necessary for long-term success. Patients who are thinking about getting a second balloon should also be receiving ditary advice, changing unhealthy habits, and engaging in regular physical exercise.
The dangers and advantages of receiving a gastric balloon are similar to those of any other medical surgery. These considerations will need to be made by the patient and doctor before deciding on a second balloon.
additional Bariatric alternatives: If the patient’s health, weight reduction objectives, and the outcomes of the first balloon treatment warrant it, the medical team may explore additional bariatric alternatives with them, such as more permanent surgical procedures.
