We have finally come close to a revolution in weight loss technology.
Just imagine that after an intervention that lasts 20 minutes, all the unwanted pounds start to melt. Believe it or not, it is possible!
The problem of obesity, especially pathological one, can be solved, among other things, by a non-surgical method – by placing a special balloon with an endoscopic method in the stomach.
At the Atlas General Hospital, the procedure is performed by top experts in general and bariatric surgery from the country and abroad with extensive surgical experience.
What is an Intragastric weight loss balloon and how does it work to treat obesity?
BIB system – bioenteric intragastric weight loss balloon is a non-operative, non-pharmacological, minimally invasive and temporary method used as an alternative for the treatment of obesity in patients with moderate and overweight obesity, with prescribed diet and physical activity program, as well as constant medical supervision. It also has positive effects in very obese patients who need to undergo a surgical method for the treatment of obesity, because losing weight reduces the risk of surgery.
The esophagus and stomach should first be examined to exclude the possibility of contraindications, and then its implementation should be initiated. The balloon is made of modern silicone material and is soft and does not damage the gastric mucosa and is inserted into the mouth through an endoscopic camera.
Intragastric balloon weight loss procedure
Check-up in the hospital
First of all, we will do a check-up that will include: examination of a specialist in bariatric surgery, an anesthesiologist and an internist specialist examination, so after taking the anamnesis and complete check-up we can determine whether you are a candidate for this type of intervention. If you are taking some medications, you will specify which ones and in agreement with the doctor, some medications may be excluded for a few days or on the day of the intervention.
Preparation for the intervention – placement of the weight loss balloon
- The day before the intervention, you will take light food, salads, clear soups, water or teas without sugar
- On the day of the intervention, food and fluid intake is not allowed 8 hours before the intervention.
- You will be admitted to hospital and you will perform an internist examination, ECG and laboratory tests so the anesthesiologist will give his permission for analgesia (a type of short-term anesthesia).
- You will then be transferred to the operating room where the surgical team will perform a control gastroscopy in analgesia. This examination is necessary, in order for the surgeons to be sure that there is no obstacle for placing the balloon in the stomach, which makes this intervention even safer, after all the measures mentioned above.
- If the surgeon does not find any disturbances in your digestive system, he will begin the procedure of balloon placement.
- If the surgeon decides that there are obstacles to this intervention, the procedure will be canceled immediately and you are obliged to pay only the costs of the interventional gastroscopy.
Placement of the weight loss balloon
The balloon system is attached to a special mechanism and during endoscopy under constant visualization it is placed in the right position in the stomach. After adequate positioning, it is filled with sterile physiological solution (400 to 700 ml of NaCl), and becomes too large to enter the intestines or go into the esophagus, in order to create an increased feeling of satiety. It is then released by a special mechanism and left in the stomach. The weight loss balloon floats freely filling a significant part of the stomach, which reduces its capacity, creates a feeling of fullness after small meals, reduces hunger and does not allow overeating, and patients can lose even over 20 kg if other diet regime for weight loss is applied.
The procedure usually lasts about 20 minutes and is performed in analgesia. When you wake up, you will spend a few more hours in the hospital, as decided by the doctor, and after that you will be released for home recovery.
After the implantation of an intragastric balloon
During the first few days after the intervention, nausea may occur, and rarely vomiting. The problems pass spontaneously and are reduced by using special medications. You can call our emergency service at any time and you will receive all the necessary advice. After three days, patients feel much better, so they do not feel that a balloon has been installed. Patients coming from abroad will not be able to travel and should be available to us for the first three days after the intervention. In agreement with the doctor, the patient will get permission to travel.
Post-operative follow-up
After the intervention, it is not necessary to come for follow up, it is usually enough to consult a surgeon by phone if necessary. The patient is obliged to report after 6 months for an agreement on balloon removal.
Removing the balloon
A weight loss balloon can be inserted into the stomach for a maximum time of 6 months, because over that time, stomach acid weakens its silicone wall. After that period, if necessary, the installation procedure can be repeated after a break of several months.
Removing the balloon is also simple because it is punctured endoscopically, and spilled saline is eliminated from the stomach in the usual way. Due to the comfort that the method provides and the effects that are achieved, more than 90% of patients would re-install the balloon, as previous experiences show.
Balloon removal is performed endoscopically, in analgesic sedation, after about six months.
The price of removing the intragastric balloon is 300 euros and includes endoscopy in analgesia.
Is gastric weight loss balloon completely safe?
This type of balloon does not damage the gastric mucosa, because it is made of a special material. The patient quickly gets used to it, and the balloon stays in the stomach, as a rule, for half a year. The US Department of Health has approved the use, and so far a large number of patients have been treated with this method to solve the problem of extreme obesity. Studies have shown that about 20 kilograms are lost in this way, the most in the first three months.
However, for losing weight, the balloon is not enough, but a certain dietary regime must be applied, as people must get used to a healthy diet, and exercise according to the recommendations of experts. Otherwise, if you continue with the old habits, the weight will return after removing the balloon.
- Optimal action
- Induces a hormonal effect
- Non-abrasive – non-ulcerogenic surface
- Precise visualization
- State-of-the-art design, spherical shape
- World experience
- More than 200,000 procedures performed
- 20 years on the market
- FDA approved
How does a balloon work?
The mechanism of action of the balloon is twofold. Since it occupies a certain volume of the stomach, it does not allow the intake of the usual amounts of food, that is, it creates a feeling of satiety. In addition, certain receptors in the stomach also create a feeling of rapid satiety. It has also been proven that the balloon affects the regulation of blood sugar, but also other metabolic issues. In young people who enter or have entered a state of pathological obesity, it reduces the risk factor for the development of diabetes.
Effect after the installation of a weight loss balloon
The biggest weight loss is in the first 3 months. Since the balloon stays for about 6 months, you have enough time to adjust to the new diet.
The average weight loss is more than 15 kg.
Compared to diet and exercise, the effect of weight loss is 3 times greater.
Who is the candidate for the installation of an intragastric balloon for weight loss?
- Moderately obese
Those patients who failed to regulate body weight through diet and exercise, and where obesity poses a high health risk.
- Very obese people
People who are planned for surgical treatment of obesity or some other surgical procedure (orthopedic), which reduces the occurrence of operative or postoperative complications.
Contraindications for the installation of an intragastric balloon for weight loss
With a detailed examination by an endocrinologist and a nutritionist, an endoscopic examination of the upper digestive system (esophagus, stomach and duodenum) is performed first, in order to exclude the existence of contraindications for balloon installation:
- Esophagitis, gastric or duodenal ulcer
- Previous operations on the upper GIT
- Larger esophageal hernia
- Diverticula or varicose veins of the esophagus
- Tumors of the upper GIT
- Coagulopathies, cirrhosis of the liver
- Continuous aspirin or NSAID use
The price of placement an intragastric balloon for weight loss
The price of placement an intragastric balloon for weight loss in Atlas Hospital is 275.500 rsd. The price includes:
- balloon placement in analgesia
- balloon removal (after 6/12 months) in analgesic sedation, (depends on the type of balloon)
- all necessary therapies in the first few days after the intervention (if nausea is present)
- doctor available 24 hours for all consultations
- if necessary, consultation with a nutritionist
- a complete diet plan during the weight loss period
Contact us for more detailed information and schedule an examination to determine if you are a candidate who need it and can have an installation of a weight loss balloon. The phone number of our call center is 0117858888 or 0603292411
