Discover How Intragastric Balloons Can Transform Your Weight Loss Journey!

Losing weight can be a significant challenge for many individuals, and traditional methods like counting calories don't always yield the desired results. When lifestyle changes alone aren't enough, medical interventions like intragastric balloons can offer a promising solution. This article explores the intragastric balloon procedure, its effectiveness, and what to expect before, during, and after its placement.

What is an Intragastric Balloon?

An intragastric balloon is a weight-loss device made of silicone, filled with saline or air, and placed in the stomach. It works by taking up space in the stomach, limiting the amount of food one can eat and creating a feeling of fullness, which can lead to weight loss. The United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several intragastric balloon therapies for weight loss.

How Intragastric Balloons Work

Intragastric balloons help individuals lose weight by reducing the capacity of the stomach. This leads to feeling full sooner and, consequently, eating less. The placement of the balloon slows down the emptying of the stomach through the pylorus, the valve at the bottom of the stomach, further contributing to the sensation of fullness.

Types of Intragastric Balloons

While most intragastric balloons are filled with a sterile saline solution, some models, like the Obalon® balloon, are filled with gas. Gas-filled balloons may be more comfortable for some individuals, although they might not be as effective overall for weight loss. The Orbera balloon, a commonly used model, when filled, occupies about a third of the stomach.

The Intragastric Balloon Procedure: What to Expect

The intragastric balloon procedure typically involves several steps, from initial consultations to removal.

Before the Procedure

Consultation and Evaluation: A consultation with a healthcare provider is crucial to determine if the intragastric balloon system is suitable for the individual. This involves assessing medical history and overall health.
Team Assembly: If deemed a good fit, a team of caregivers, including a nutritionist, gastroenterologist, psychologist/psychiatrist, and possibly others, will be assembled to support the individual throughout the weight loss program.
Personalized Weight Loss Program: The team will design a personalized weight loss program tailored to the individual's needs.
Informed Consent: A healthcare provider will explain the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the procedure and obtain informed consent.
Pre-Procedure Diet: A few days before the procedure, the individual will be placed on a clear liquid diet to help empty the stomach. The night before, they should not eat or drink anything after midnight.
Medication: Acid-blocking medication is often prescribed to prevent acid reflux during and after the procedure.

During the Procedure

Insertion: Most intragastric balloons are inserted endoscopically. An endoscope, a long, flexible tube with a camera attached, is inserted through the mouth, passing through the esophagus to reach the stomach.
Sedation: The procedure is typically performed while the individual is awake but under mild sedation, with medication to help relax and numb the throat.
Examination: The gastroenterologist or endoscopic surgeon examines the esophagus and stomach with the endoscope to ensure there are no conditions that could make the balloon unsafe.
Balloon Placement: Once the safety of the procedure is confirmed, the balloon is guided into place.
Inflation: The balloon is filled with saline or gas using a syringe attached to a catheter. The syringe is then detached, and the catheter is withdrawn. The valve on the balloon seals to prevent leaks.
Duration: The procedure itself takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Recovery: After the procedure, the individual spends a few hours recovering in the hospital, receiving IV fluids and medication to prevent pain and nausea.

After the Procedure

Diet Progression: The stomach needs time to adapt to the balloon. The individual starts with a liquid diet, gradually advancing to pureed foods, then a soft diet, and finally, the long-term diet designed by the nutritionist.
Close Monitoring: Close contact with the healthcare team is maintained during this time to support the individual through any physical and psychological side effects.
Medication: Acid-blocking and anti-nausea medications are continued as needed.

How Long Does an Intragastric Balloon Last?

The Orbera balloon typically stays in place for six months. During this period, the individual continues to work with their healthcare team to make sustainable diet and lifestyle changes. The greatest weight loss usually occurs in the first three months. Following balloon removal, continued commitment to these changes is essential to maintain weight loss.

Intragastric Balloon Removal

After six months, a second endoscopic procedure is performed to remove the balloon. The individual is given a sedative and a topical anesthetic or lubricant in the throat to ease the removal. The endoscopist punctures the balloon, suctions out its filling, and then withdraws the deflated balloon.

Risks and Considerations

While intragastric balloons are generally safe, it's essential to be aware of potential risks and considerations.

Pain and Nausea: About one-third of people experience pain and nausea soon after the insertion of an intragastric balloon.
Balloon Deflation: Although rare, the balloon can deflate and move through the digestive system.
Other Risks: Other possible risks include overinflation, acute pancreatitis, ulcers, or a perforation (hole) in the stomach wall.
Cost: The cost of placing and removing the intragastric balloon may not be covered by health insurance.

Who is a Good Candidate for an Intragastric Balloon?

Intragastric balloons are not suitable for everyone who is overweight. A healthcare provider will assess individual circumstances to determine if the procedure is appropriate.

Intragastric Balloon vs. Other Weight Loss Options

Gastric Balloon vs. Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric sleeve surgery involves removing a portion of the stomach, permanently altering its shape and size. While both gastric balloons and gastric sleeve surgery restrict how much food can be eaten, gastric sleeve surgery is a more invasive procedure. Gastric balloons are temporary solutions, while gastric sleeve surgery produces permanent changes to the digestive system.

Gastric Balloon vs. Weight Loss Medications

New weight loss medications can help reduce appetite and food cravings, making individuals feel fuller. However, these medications are effective only while they are being taken.

MIT's Dynamic Gastric Balloon

To address the limitation of the stomach becoming accustomed to the sensation of fullness over time, MIT engineers have designed a new type of gastric balloon that can be inflated and deflated as needed.

How it Works

This dynamic balloon is connected to an external controller that can be attached to the skin. The controller contains a pump that inflates the balloon before meals and deflates it in between meals.

Animal Studies

In animal studies, inflating the balloon before a meal led to a 60 percent reduction in food intake. The researchers plan to conduct longer-term studies to see if this reduction leads to significant weight loss.

Potential Benefits

This type of intervention could offer an alternative for people who don’t want to undergo more invasive treatments such as gastric bypass surgery or those who don’t respond well to weight-loss drugs.

Read also: Understanding Gastric Balloons

The Future of Gastric Balloons

The development of dynamic gastric balloons represents a significant advancement in the field of weight loss treatments. These innovative devices have the potential to provide a more effective and sustainable solution for individuals struggling with obesity. As research continues and technology evolves, gastric balloons may become an increasingly popular and successful weight loss option.

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