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Gastric Balloon
Beauty Care
Gastric Balloon
Non-surgical weight loss procedure
Aesthetic surgeons recommend gastric balloon in cases where:
You have not been able to lose weight even after many attempts with conventional means such as diet, physical activity or various medications.
You have a very high BMI, obesity.
You have other obesity-related pathologies.
Before bariatric surgery to resolve obesity in patients with extreme BMI levels.
PROCEDURE:
The intragastric balloon (BIB) is a temporary treatment that allows weight loss without resorting to surgery.
The BIB (Bioenterics Intragastric Balloon) is a soft, expandable device that is inserted into the patient’s stomach using an endoscopic procedure and filled with a sterile saline solution. The balloon is usually placed under sedation, so general anesthesia is not required.
The intragastric balloon partially fills the stomach and induces a feeling of premature satiety.
What is an intragastric balloon?
An intragastric balloon is a prosthetic device that has been successfully used for several years as an aid in weight loss in moderately obese patients. The BIB is made of a soft, expandable elastomeric material that is inserted into the stomach using an endoscopic procedure and then filled with saline. The filled intragastric balloon partially occupies the stomach, leaving less room for the amount of food or drink ingested. This device therefore aims to reduce the sensation of hunger and helps you feel full longer, even after eating small meals. The intragastric balloon is sometimes used for severely obese patients who need short-term assistance to reduce their weight to a level that makes them eligible for a more complex and permanent surgical approach, such as gastric banding or gastric bypass.
RESULTS
The weight loss obtained is variable and, initially, can be quite rapid. As a guide, the average weight loss obtained in the 6 months of maintaining the intragastric balloon is about 15-20 kg.
Ultimately, the amount of weight loss depends on the patient’s compliance, that is, the degree of adherence to a controlled diet and a program that allows them to change their lifestyle, starting with regular exercise.
Balloon removal
The BIB can be used for a maximum of six months, longer periods are not recommended. Over time, in fact, the acid content of the stomach tends to weaken the material that makes up the balloon and can deflate it. If it is deemed necessary to use the intragastric balloon for more than 6 months, the patient can undergo a replacement operation.
At the end of the initial period, equal to 6 months, the competent surgeon can evaluate the options for the next phase (replacement with a new BIB or surgical procedure). The intragastric balloon is usually removed the same way it was placed, through the esophagus and mouth.
Before removal, a sedative and local anaesthetic are given to numb the throat. Using an endoscopic camera, the doctor will pass a catheter through the mouth into the stomach. The balloon is then punctured. Once deflated, it can be grasped with forceps and removed from the stomach.
Disadvantages
All medical procedures have some disadvantages and can cause side effects; this rule does not escape the placement of the intragastric balloon, which however has a lower risk of complications than other more invasive bariatric surgeries.
Advantages
Compared to a gastric bypass or gastric banding operation, the insertion of the balloon into the stomach has the following advantages:
The technique is less invasive and generally does not require the patient to undergo surgery under general anesthesia;
The procedure is much less expensive, because it does not involve anesthetics or prolonged hospitalization;
The procedure is easily reversible;
Many patients achieve satisfactory weight loss during the period (about 6 months) in which the intragastric balloon is kept in the stomach, provided that they follow a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity.
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