What is Endoscopic Balloon?
An Endoscopic Balloon, also known as an intragastric balloon, is a non-surgical, minimally invasive weight loss device. The procedure involves inserting a deflated balloon into the stomach through the mouth using an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera). Once inside the stomach, the balloon is filled with a sterile saline solution, expanding and taking up space. The inflated balloon induces a feeling of fullness, restricting food intake and promoting weight loss. This temporary intervention serves as a tool to assist individuals in adopting healthier eating habits and achieving significant weight loss without the need for surgery. The balloon is typically left in the stomach for a few months and is then removed during another endoscopic procedure.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
An Endoscopic Balloon, also known as an intragastric balloon, is a weight loss device that doesn't require surgery and is not very invasive. Here's how it works: a deflated balloon is put into your stomach through your mouth using a thin tube with a light and camera. Once in your stomach, the balloon is filled with a sterile saline solution, making it expand. This makes you feel full, so you eat less and lose weight. It's a temporary solution to help you develop healthier eating habits and lose a significant amount of weight without having surgery. The balloon stays in your stomach for a few months and is removed later with another endoscopic procedure.
A 15-20 minutes procedure
Initiate your weight loss journey by experiencing a sense of fullness
The Procedure
The balloon is placed in your stomach during a brief 20-minute consultation with your doctor.
I. Insertion
A Thin flexible tube with a tiny camera at one end (Endoscope) is passed down your mouth while you’re sedated. The folded up balloon is guided down from your mouth using the endoscope down to your stomach.
II. Inflation
Once in the stomach, the folded balloon is inflated using a small tube which comes down with it from the mouth. Inflated with 500 mls of water in the correct position, the filling tube together with the endoscope is removed from the mouth – leaving behind only the balloon in the stomach.
III. Residence
It reduces the stomachs capacity, reducing food intake giving a feeling of fullness and early satiety. Burning of fat by the body for energy then leads to further weight loss
IV. Extraction
It will stay in the stomach for 6 months after which it is removed during an endoscopy, where the balloon is punctured, and the deflated balloon removed through the mouth.
Pre Placement
We will take a detailed medical history to see if you are eligible. Your doctor may advise you on some medication, lab & imaging tests prior to the procedure
Balloon Placement
Endoscopic positioning of the folded balloon, attached to a thin tube. Once in the stomach, the balloon is filled via the thin tube with 500mls of water & the tube together with the endoscope is removed gently, leaving the filled balloon in the stomach.
Post Balloon Placement
Start your weight loss journey once the balloon is placed and beyond, keeping in mind lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to help maintain the weight long term.
BalloonRemoval
The balloon is removed via an endoscope in 6 months, where it is punctured and the deflated balloon is removed from the mouth.
What are the risks of an Endoscopic Balloon?
While the Endoscopic Balloon procedure is generally considered safe, like any medical intervention, it carries some risks and potential complications. Here are some possible risks associated with the procedure:
ENDOSCOPIC BALLOON
6 MONTHS
The Balloon Procedure
The Connected Scale, Health Tracker & App
All Specialist Consultation ~ 50 Visits
All Lab ~ 25 full body tests & Imaging ~ 3 tests
All Pre & Post Procedure Medication
Skin Contouring
Colon Hydrotherapy
FREE Support Beyond 6 Months
The process to get you started on your weight loss journey
Non - Surgical Approaches
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is essential for overall well-being.
While weight loss journeys vary from person to person, there are numerous safe and effective methods available, both surgical and nonsurgical.
Here, we explore different approaches to healthy weight loss.
Surgical Weight Loss
Gastric Sleeve
Gastric sleeve surgery, or sleeve gastrectomy, is a widely favoured, minimally invasive weight loss solution. Removing a significant part of the stomach forms a smaller, banana-shaped stomach, curbing food intake, aiding weight loss, and enhancing health in cases of moderate to severe obesity.
Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass, a proven weight loss approach, forms a small stomach pouch and redirects the small intestine. While more invasive than the gastric sleeve, it effectively induces weight loss and improves health conditions, demanding rigorous post-surgery dietary adherence for optimal outcomes.
Mini Gastric Bypass
The mini gastric bypass streamlines the traditional process, establishing a smaller stomach pouch directly linked to the small intestine. Balancing effectiveness and invasiveness, it delivers substantial weight loss and health benefits, demanding lifelong dietary adherence for success, making it a preferred choice.
Duodenal Switch
The duodenal switch, a preferred weight loss surgery for severe obesity, involves stomach reduction and small intestine rearrangement to limit calorie absorption, leading to significant weight loss. Despite its effectiveness, careful dietary management is crucial, making it suitable for those unsuccessful with other treatments.
FAQs
On average, patients lose 10-15% of their total body weight.
The balloon is placed in your stomach during a brief 20-minute outpatient visit with your doctor.You will swallow a vegetable-based capsule that containsthe deflated balloon. The balloon is connected to a long,thin tube. Once the capsule has entered your stomachyou will have a first X-ray to confirm the correct positionof the capsule.Your doctor will then use the tube to fill the balloon with water and then a second X-ray will confirm the balloon iscorrectly filled. Once the balloon is filled, your doctor willgently remove the tube and you’ll be on your way.
99.9% of people can swallow thecapsule without any problems.However, if you do have difficultyswallowing it, your doctor can usea thin wire (stylet) to help guide thecapsule into place—still withoutendoscopy or anaesthesia.*.
The balloon is filled with 550ml of water.
Most people can return to normal activity within a dayor two. However, some people do experience nausea, abdominal cramping, and, occasionally, vomiting after balloon placement. In most cases, your doctor canprescribe commonly used medication to help managethese symptoms.
There are some specific dietary recommendations beforeplacement and during the first week after placement asyou adapt to the balloon.Your nutritionist will guide you during the Program. You do not need to make huge changes to eat healthier all at once, it’s best to set small goals andchange your habits gradually. Over time, small changeswill make a big difference in your health and will help youmaintain your weight loss.
No, the balloon is made using polyurethane which is very durable. In fact, we advocate for physical fitness. However extreme sports such as bungee jumping are contraindicated.
After approximately 16-20 weeks, a time-activated release valve on the balloon will open, allowing it to empty and pass naturally without any medical intervention when you use the toilet.*
After your balloon passes, the Program and the support from your healthcare team continue. This is to help you continue your new lifestyle habits and focus on keeping the weight off.
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