Intragastric balloon

The Intragastric Balloon: How to lose weight without going through surgery?

Overweight and obesity are chronic diseases with repercussion from both a physical and psychological point of view, often with serious consequences.

Its resolution depends on a correct treatment, basically based on appropriate dietary measures complemented by regular, controlled physical exercise. For those cases where these measures are not sufficient, a series of therapeutic alternatives have been devised that can help and complement the medical treatment.

When indicated, one of these alternatives is the Endoscopic Intragastric Balloon (EIB).

What is an intragastric balloon?

The Intragastric Balloon consists of the introduction into the stomach of a soft, expandable and resistant silicone balloon, which is placed endoscopically and left floating freely inside the stomach, partially filling it and causing the sensation of fullness and satiety that facilitates the monitoring of an established nutritional and dietary guideline.

The great value of the Intragastric Balloon or Gastric Balloon is that forces to regulate the amount of intake, preventing overeating and helping to follow one dietary re-education determined to acquire suitable dietary and nutritional habits that, in addition to losing weight, make it easier to maintain the weight lost once the balloon is removed.

Intragastric balloon 6 or 12 months

Indicated for patients who need to lose weight and have not been successful after trying multiple diets and have the ability to acquire new nutritional habits during this period.

It combines the best technology of the intragastric balloon with the provision of assistance by a multidisciplinary team of experts and a personalized diet and exercise plan in one program.

This comprehensive program combines the control part that the intragastric balloon offers, with our long-term counseling to help the patient adopt a healthy lifestyle that allows him to lose weight.

When is the intragastric balloon indicated?

Always under medical supervision, the Intragastric Balloon or BIE is indicated in those cases of patients who, having followed multiple dietary and/or pharmacological treatments, have not achieved a significant reduction in their weight , mainly in those cases of moderate obesity and some situations overweight and mild obesity.

The main indications for the Intragastric Balloon are:

Patients who have tried multiple diets without success.
Ability to understand the objectives of the treatment and the follow-up to be carried out.

Criteria according to BMI:

In some cases of overweight and mild obesity with BMI< 30
In moderate obesity with BMI between 30 – 35.
In some cases of severe obesity with BMI between 35 – 40 without associated diseases.
When BMI> 40, the best treatment is bariatric surgery, although in certain patients who refuse surgery, it can be tried as a non-surgical alternative.

The recommended age for intragastric balloon treatment is between 18 and 65 years.

How is the Intragastric Balloon placed?

It is a simple, quick procedure with no adverse effects.

The procedure consists of endoscopically (non-surgically) placing the deflated balloon inside the stomach, filling it with a sterile saline solution and letting it float freely.

It is a safe and quick procedure , which is performed under deep sedation, which is why the patient does not feel any discomfort or pain .

In addition, it is an outpatient procedure, in such a way that once the placement of the balloon has been carried out, the patient returns to his home, being able to carry out his usual activity in the next few days .

In general, it is normal for the first days of adaptation to the ball to have stomach discomfort, nausea and even initially some vomiting, which is why you must follow an established diet and medication.

It is a safe treatment and the complications are minimal and infrequent , despite the fact that they can occur exceptionally, it is advisable to check with the specialist doctor to individualize the risks and inform yourself appropriately.

Before the procedure, each person must give their authorization in advance and in writing as they have received complete information to carry out this treatment.

Intragastric balloon contraindications

The main contraindications consist of some important digestive diseases, some previous surgical interventions, active alcoholism or drug addiction, pregnancy, some pharmacological treatments and some psychiatric diseases that the responsible doctor will be responsible for assessing.

What is the natural evolution of the Intragastric Balloon?

Once completed, its extraction is equally safe and simple , returning the gastric morphology to the characteristics and dimensions similar to the one it presented before placement, but accustomed to other eating habits.

Although a certain weight loss cannot be guaranteed, the rate of good results ranges around 80% of treated patients, with one average weight reduction between 15 and 20 Kg, although variable according to the characteristics and correct monitoring of each person, being able to achieve lower or even higher results (up to 30 kg).

However, the six months that the treatment lasts must serve as an incentive and motivation to re-educate the patient in his eating habits and in his lifestyle , thus helping him to maintain the lost weight.

In this sense, it is advisable to propose a maintenance program for the lost weight, if possible controlled by specialists in endocrinology, nutrition, dietetics and/or psychology if necessary.