1. WHAT IS A GASTRIC BALLOON?

A Gastric Balloon Dubai medical professionals have to offer is a medically approved soft silicon balloon, which is to be inserted into your stomach. Once inserted, the balloon occupies the empty space in your stomach, giving you a feeling of fullness. All the balloons used are manufactured using medical-grade silicon that is non-toxic, and will not cause any side effects on the body.

2. HOW IS THE BALLOON INSERTED?

The procedure involved in inserting the gastric balloon inside the stomach is called as the Gastric Balloon Surgery. In this surgery, a deflated silicon balloon is first inserted into your mouth, and is then carried through the esophagus into the stomach. The procedure is done using a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope; it has a camera and a light at one end that help to traverse the tube across.

In order to avoid pain, the surgeon administers a mild sedative or light anesthesia. As the procedure involves passing a balloon, it is slightly uncomfortable, so a sedative is used.

3. HOW LONG DOES THE BALLOON LAST?

The balloon is expected to deteriorate in a span of 6 months or more. Also, the gastric juices may perforate the balloon after a certain span of time. In order to avoid any medical complications as such, the gastric balloon is deflated and removed after six months through a similar endoscopic procedure. But by this time, the person must have lost 20 to 30% of the body weight, thereby making the procedure effective.

4. HOW LONG DOES THE PROCEDURE TAKE?

There are two types of procedures when it comes to inserting a gastric balloon into your stomach. The typical procedure done using an endoscope and deflated balloon takes around 15 minutes with the use of I.V. anesthesia.

5. WHAT IS PILL BALLOON?

This new balloon involves swallowing a gastric balloon pill capsule that is attached to a thin tube. Once the balloon reaches the top of your stomach, it is inflated using gas through the connecting tube. The tube is then removed. As no endoscope is involved, no anesthesia is administered and the procedure is painless. Up to 3 balloons can be placed (at weekly interval) into your stomach using this procedure. After a period of 6 months, the balloons are removed using the regular endoscopic procedure.

6. SHOULD I CHOOSE THIS PROCEDURE?

This procedure is recommended to those that have persistent weight problem, and other procedures, which involve medications and diet control, do not seem to work for them. Also, this weight loss is recommended by medical experts to people who are unable to lose weight before an operation where being over-weight increases surgical-risk.

Gastric Balloon operation is a non-surgical, standalone option for weight management; it may not be as effective as the other invasive surgical operations for weight-loss. The balloon is used only when your Body Mass Index or BMI lies in the range of 27 to 35.

7. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THIS WEIGHT LOSS PROCEDURE ?

There are several benefits of this surgery, a few are:

1. It is non-invasive surgery with minimum risk.
2. You need not be hospitalized for the same; it is a 15-minute procedure
3. Gastric balloon is less expensive than other surgical operations.
4. It results in long-term weight loss with proper diet and exercise.
5. Patients lose an average of 20 to 30% of weight, depending on the lifestyle they follow.

8. BEFORE AND AFTER THE PROCEDURE

Before the procedure is done, the bariatric surgeon will assess your BMI, check for health conditions such as diabetes, high-blood pressure, sleep apnea, and others, before commencing. Even after the procedure, you are expected to consult the bariatric surgeon, and required to commit to eat appropriate, make healthy food choices and lifestyle changes, and exercise regularly.

Immediately after the procedure, you will feel slight discomfort in the stomach as it gets used to the balloon. However, if any pain or nausea persist, consult the bariatric surgeon.

During the first week, most of the patients are not hungry, and feel nauseated after taking food. This is the period where men lose around 4 to 6 kg, while women lose around 3 to 4 kg.

• After two weeks, your appetite returns to normal, but you will feel full with a small amount of food.
• Between 3^rd to 6^th week, your appetite becomes stronger, but is controlled.
• Between 7^th to 12^th week, you need to focus on healthy food as the body has adjusted to the balloon, and the weight loss is comparatively lesser than the first 6 weeks.
• After 12^th week, focus on diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices to sustain the weight loss.

9. WHAT ARE THE RISKS INVOLVED?

There are no major complications as such with the surgery. Bleeding or perforation may occur during the balloon insertion and removal. Gastric discomfort, vomiting, and nausea are common for the first few days. Heaviness in stomach occurs along with abdominal and back pain in some cases. Acid refluxes are common.

10. HOW WILL LIFE BE AFTER THE GASTRIC BALLOON REMOVAL?

The gastric balloon is removed after 6 months using endoscopic procedure. By that time, you will have lost weight and gained knowledge about healthy eating. After the removal procedure, you are expected to :

1. Eat slowly and regularly.
2. Choose nutritious food over junk food.
3. Sustain a regular exercise routine.

This way, you will achieve long-term weight loss with this surgery.

Dr Girish juneja is going to  (Director weight loss center, Dubai ) offers all types (4) of gastric balloons available worldwide viz.

1 OBALON

2 ORBERA

VERY SOON RESHAPE & ECLIPSE  will be available too for his patients

so one stop availability of all balloons  in one clinic.