Intragastric balloon
The intragastric balloon is designed to provide short–term weight loss therapy. The silicone balloon is placed endoscopically (click for the video) (through the mouth and oesophagus under sedation) and filled with liquid so it partially fills the stomach and creates a feeling of fullness. The maximum time a balloon can be left in place is 6 months, after which it must be removed.
There are two main indications for using an intragastric balloon:
- Pre–surgery for weight loss in severely obese patients to reduce surgical risk.
- Weight loss in obese patients who have significant health risks related to their obesity and who have failed to achieve and maintain weight loss with a supervised weight–control programme. The patient should have a BMI above 35.
Like other weight loss surgeries, the balloon is a tool and works best when you use it properly, following a low calorie diet. Surgeons usually prescribe medication to reduce your stomach acid production whilst the balloon is in place. Most of the people do not experience any complications, but you should be aware of :
- Intestinal obstruction by the balloon (which could cause death) when a partially deflated balloon passes into the small bowel. If this occurs, surgical or endoscopic removal would be required
- Bleeding or perforation could occur as a result of injury during the balloon insertion or removal, requiring surgical correction.
- Gastric discomfort; nausea and vomiting are common for the first few days following balloon placement but rarely continue in the longer term unless the balloon is causing a blockage. A feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, abdominal or back pain, gastro–oesophageal reflux or indigestion have also been reported.
The removal of the intragastric balloon (click the left image for the video) is also carried out in an endoscopy suite with the patient sedated. A special needle is inserted though the endoscope to deflate the IGB. Once it is fully deflated it is grasped with specially designed forceps and removed via the mouth. Removal of the IBG usually takes about 10 to 14 minutes. Patients are monitored during removal and recovery until fully alert.
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RSS Trackback URL 30. January 2007 (18:04)Filed under: Body, Weight loss
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Gastric Bypass | DietMotion
12. February 2007 | 17:53 h[…] Gastric Bypass Surgery is generally considered to be the best surgical procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity. Weight loss is achieved by reducing the functional portion of the stomach to a pouch the size of a golf ball and by creating a stoma, a small opening between the stomach and the intestine. This procedure is recommended only for patients with BMI above 35, just like for the intragastric balloon. […]