What is the Endoscopic Intragastric Balloon? – drfuadahmed

Blogs

What is the Endoscopic Intragastric Balloon?

The Intragastric Balloon is a minimally invasive procedure designed to reduce weight with the least possible complications. A Silicone Balloon is inserted into the stomach through the throat and filled with salt water for inflation. This inflated balloon takes up a lot of volume from your stomach, which means you would need to eat less to feel full, and gradually you would start to lose weight.

What Does Endoscopic Mean?

Endoscopic procedures are minimally invasive procedures that are done using an endoscope, which is a specialized flexible instrument with a camera attached to its front end and inserted usually through the throat. Specialized catheters and tiny instruments are used together with the endoscope to perform many operations in the gut. Endoscopy is a widely used technique to minimize the need for invasive surgery and limit complications such as bleeding and infection.

Do I Need to Place an Intragastric Balloon?

This procedure is required by people who want to lose weight but failed to do so with regular methods such as dieting and exercising. Your weight is identified by using a metric known as the body mass index (BMI) which is the ratio of your weight to your height. A BMI of 30 to 35 is considered obese, 35 to 40 is considered extreme obesity, while over 40 is considered morbid obesity, where your weight starts to have a negative effect on your general health. The Intragastric balloon is needed for people with BMI between 30 and 40.

How is The Procedure Done?

Endoscopic procedures are usually done under sedation since there is no need for general anesthesia for such as simple procedure. Once you’re sedated, the surgeon will insert the endoscope through the throat to clear the way for the rest of the instruments. Next, he would insert a small catheter with the deflated balloon attached to its end. Once the balloon reaches the stomach, salt water is pumped through the catheter to inflate the balloon to the size of a grapefruit, and finally, all the instruments are removed. The entire procedure takes about 20 minutes, and you can go home right afterward once the sedation wears off.

Life with the Intragastric Balloon

Unlike other invasive bariatric surgeries, the intragastric balloon is a minimally invasive and easily reversible procedure, requiring very limited adjustment to your lifestyle. Most patients would lose about 15% of their body weight after the first 6 months. However, to get the most out of your procedure and lose the maximum amount of weight, we recommend you follow the following steps: · You would be limited to a liquid diet for about 2 weeks, and gradually add solid foods over the following weeks. · The intragastric balloon would make you eat less and feel full faster, but it can’t control what you eat. We advise you to consult a dietician to formulate the best possible diet for your case. · A regular schedule of exercise is essential for the best results in weight loss. · Since you’ll be eating less, you might not be getting all the nutrients you need from the food, which is where again the dietician comes into play. Be sure that your diet includes all the essential nutrients from proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins.

When & How is the Intragastric Balloon Removed?

Typically, the intragastric balloon is a way to lose weight quickly but is not a permanent procedure. Most surgeons and dieticians recommend the balloon stay in place for about 6 months before needing to be removed. As to how it is removed, exactly the same way as the insertion, only in an opposite direction. The endoscope and catheter are inserted through your throat, and the balloon is punctured so that the salt water drains into your stomach. The deflated balloon is then retracted with the catheter. This takes usually less than 15 minutes under sedation and no need for hospitalization.

What Other Endoscopic Procedures For Weight Loss are Recommended?

The Intragastric Balloon may be one of the easiest forms of endoscopic procedures but is not the only one. Be sure to ask your surgeon about the Ellipse balloon and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty.

If you need any more information about the procedure or the follow-up aftercare period,
feel free to contact our team anytime

Book an appointment today for consultation

Number one destination for all your general surgery needs, specializing mainly in obesity management and surgeries, including gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, and mini gastric bypass surgeries.

Useful Links

Reach to us

© Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved