Weight Loss Intragastric Stomach Balloon Programme

Fast, Effective Weight Loss, No Surgery!

The Stomach Balloon, also known as a Intragastric Balloon or gastric balloon is a proven device which has been proven to help patients lose weight quickly, safely and without surgery.

 

The device reduces patients' appetite and banishes hunger pangs, so that they naturally don't want to eat as much and therefore lose weight.

 

Short-Term Plan - 2-3 stone in 6 months

The intragastric balloon offers a relatively quick solution to kick-start weight loss. It is often chosen to achieve weight loss for a specific purpose or occasion e.g. before a wedding, or after pregnancy.

 

The stomach balloon only stays in place for 6 months, but in that time patients usually lose up to 3 stone. The key to long term success is to establish healthy eating and exercise patterns so that you can maintain and continue your weight loss results after the balloon is removed.

 

About The Intragastric Balloon

The stomach balloon is a soft ball or pouch made of silicone.  It is inserted deflated (flat) through your mouth into your stomach and then filled with sterile saline to take the shape shown.  This is not a surgical procedure and does not require general anaesthetic, though it is performed under light sedation for your comfort.

 

When filled, the gastric balloon is the size of a small orange and takes up space in your stomach, so that you permanently have a feeling of fullness. Your lack of appetite will help you to cut your portion sizes and reduce snacking, thereby consuming fewer calories. Losing weight is a natural and inevitable consequence.

 

The intragastric balloon stays in the stomach for just 6 months, after which time it must be removed.

 

The Gastric Balloon is made by Allergan, who are leading manufacturers of medical appliances. They also make the gastric band device as well as breast implants.

 

Stomach Dietitian Support

The stomach balloon programme includes specialist dietitian support and advice throughout the time that the balloon is in place.

• For the first few days, you have a liquid diet and drink lots of water while your body adjusts to the balloon.
• Thereafter, you will start an initial solid-foods regime with calorie restrictions.

Success with the gastric balloon and beyond is dependent on you learning good healthy eating habits for the long term. Our team of specialist dietitians is on hand with a staged dietary plan to enable you to adjust to the balloon and smaller portions. Eating less also means that good healthy food choices are more important - every calorie should be a good choice. You will learn how to select balanced meals of an appropriate portion size.

 

You will receive a gastric balloon diet programme with monthly one to one appointments which may be in clinic face to face or else via telephone, which many patients find more convenient.

 

The Hospital Group is the UK's largest provider of weight loss surgery and deliver astounding success rates thanks to our policy of ongoing patient support.

 

Is the Intragastric Balloon Right for Me?

• The typical patient is someone who is overweight (BMI between 28-30) but not obese (BMI 31+).
• The balloon teaches you to manage your portions of food by reducing your hunger. For long term success you need to commit to the new eating patterns.
• The stomach balloon offers a non-surgical weight loss option which has been clinically proven to deliver 10-20kg in just the first 6 months (up to 3 stone 2)

 

Patient Story

Paula shared her Gastric Balloon journey. She was not obese, but had gone up 2 clothes sizes since quitting smoking and found it more and more difficult to choose clothing for her work as a receptionist where appearance is highly important.

 

As well as reducing her food intake, Paula accelerated her weight loss by cutting out her daily drink of wine and exercising each evening on the cross-trainer in front of the TV so that she toned up as well as losing weight. Just over a month after the balloon was fitted her commitment was paying off already - 2.5 stone weight loss in just over a month.

 

Paula's story includes pictures and video Gastric Balloon Blog.

 

Advantages of the Intragastric Balloon

• Feeling fuller for longer - reduced appetite and hunger pangs
• Clinically proven method of losing weight
• Support from specialist dietitians
• More effective than diet or exercise alone
• Educational tool - helps establish good, healthy eating patterns
• Non-surgical option - no general anaesthetic
• Day case procedure, takes around half an hour. Return home when you are ready
• No overnight stay in hospital - go home the same day
• Reversible approach to weight loss
• Removed at 6 months

The gastric balloon is a lifestyle tool as much as a weight loss tool. It will help you put in place the right habits for long-term success.

 

The Stomach Balloon Procedure - Video

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does the Gastric Balloon go into the stomach?

Before any fluid is added, the balloon is soft and quite small. It is inserted orally via the oesophagus and when it is safely in the stomach, saline is added to fill or inflate the balloon as shown in this video:

 

Q: How is the stomach balloon removed?

The process for removing the gastric balloon is the reverse of its installation. Saline fluid is extracted so that the empty balloon can be removed as shown in this video:

 

Q: What does the gastric balloon feel like?

You should expect a risk of discomfort while your body is adjusting to the balloon. The feeling is a little like sea-sickness. You may be given anti-nausea medication to alleviate the symptoms and will be advised to drink plenty. This phase can last 2-3 weeks.

 

However, once this has passed and you are used to it you are unlikely to notice the balloon at all and will probably forget you have it in place. You will simply feel fuller and less hungry.

 

Q: How much weight could I lose?

The amount of weight lost averages between 10-20 kilos. This can be a couple of dress sizes or more. How much weight you lose depends on your portion sizes and food choices while the balloon is in place. We will give you advice and support, but you need to alter your eating and exercise routines in order to succeed.

 

Useful Links

The manufacturer's leaflet on gastric balloon contains further information.