Gastric Balloon
The gastric balloon programme combines a clinically proven way to reduce hunger so that you eat less and lose weight without surgery. It is a short-term solution to kick-start your weight loss and help you learn the healthy habits to enable you to maintain that success after the treatment so that you lose weight quickly AND keep the pounds off over time.
Lose 2-3 stone – 6 month plan!
Patients can expect to lose 10-20kg, that’s up to 3 stone 2 in just the first 6 months and with continued commitment will continue beyond. It is ideal for those with a bit of weight to lose who are overweight but not obese (BMI 28-30) and often chosen for reliable weight loss with a goal in mind e.g. before a wedding/special occasion, or after pregnancy.
Your Gastric Balloon Programme
As an eligible candidate, you will begin your programme by meeting with a physician and nurse to discuss the gastric balloon (also known as BIB programme) in detail. Your Patient Care Co-ordinator will take you through each step of the programme and give you all the relevant advice.
The out patient procedure generally takes 20-30 minutes, after which you will be cared for in your room until you are able to go home the same day.
Advantages of the Gastric Balloon
The balloon programme offers many distinct advantages over conventional diets and weight loss programmes. With the balloon you will:
- Have a feeling of fullness
- Lose more weight than with other programmes
- Be supported by a team of medical experts
- Learn principles for long-term success
- No need for general anaesthetic so less risk of complication
- Non-surgical and completely reversible approach to weight loss
The gastric balloon is not a magic pill, but a tool to change your lifestyle. Taking part in the programme will give you the education and support to change your lifestyle habits and have a better chance for long-term success.
Gastric Balloon Diet & Lifestyle
During the six months that the gastric balloon is in place, you will follow a gastric balloon diet programme and there will be support from our team to measure your weight loss progress and provide you with dietary advice, education and training.
The first week you will be on a liquid diet with instructions to drink lots of water. After the first week, the dietitian will recommend solids. You will receive instructions on your initial solid-foods nutrition regime with calorie restrictions. This period is important to prepare you for maintaining weight loss after the gastric balloon is removed. The gastric balloon gives you a window of opportunity to adapt to the lifestyle changes you must make in order to maintain your ideal body weight.
During the regularly scheduled meetings with your team, you will learn the principles you need to manage your weight, and to promote long-term health through lifestyle changes. As well as nutrition, this will cover exercise, eating behaviours and psychological issues related to food. While learning, you will be motivated by your success and turn these principles into habits that will serve you for the rest of your life.
The Gastric Balloon Procedure – Video
Follow Our Patient’s Gastric Balloon Blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
We have listed here some of the more commonly asked questions from our patients about the Gastric Balloon Programme.
Q: What is the Gastric Balloon?
The gastric balloon is a soft, silicone sack that is inserted into the stomach and filled with sterile saline. With the gastric balloon you will have a feeling of satiety, or lack of hunger which will help you learn to moderate your food intake so that you eat less and lose weight without surgery.
It will stay in place for 6 months while you learn the habits of healthy eating and kickstart your weight loss with the help of our expert team of specialist dietitians. The gastric balloon will be removed after 6 months. With the help of the gastric balloon, you can more easily adopt the lifestyle changes that you will need to lose weight.
Q: How much weight will I lose?
You can experience significant weight loss averaging between 15-20 kilos, however your results will depend on how well you follow the programme and adjust your eating habits.
Q: How does the Gastric Balloon get fitted?
It is inserted through the mouth and then inflated with saline in the stomach to make you feel full. This video shows a gastric balloon insertion:
[youtube_sc url=http://youtu.be/oLwztLRuKes width=500]
Q: And how is it removed?
After 6-7 months, the balloon is deflated by extracting the saline and then removed through the mouth. The following video provides a useful illustration of the process.
[youtube_sc url=http://youtu.be/uXLx6fQHCYs width=500]
Q: Will I be able to feel the gastric balloon in my stomach?
There will be discomfort during the first few days. After that, the primary sensation of the gastric balloon is a feeling of satiety or fullness.
Q: Are there side effects or complications with the gastric balloon?
The first 10 – 21 days can be very difficult. Cramping, nausea and vomiting are normal and should be expected. It is very important that you follow your doctor’s instructions and drink plenty of fluids. Medication will be available to help ease the discomfort.
Q: How is the gastric balloon inserted in the stomach?
The gastric balloon is a soft, silicone sack that is inserted into the stomach through the oesophagus and filled with a sterile saline.
Q: Who makes the Gastric Balloon device?
The Gastric Balloon is made by Allergan. They also provide the LAP-BAND® or gastric band. Their leaflet on gastric balloon is also recommended for further information.
The Hospital Group is the UK’s largest provider of weight loss surgery and work closely with Allergan on these areas to bring you the latest weight loss devices and techniques.
Q: What About Pregnancy?
As with all medical procedures, the impact of a planned or unplanned pregnancy must be considered if that is a possiblity for you. Please discuss your questions and expectations about the programme with your physician and evaluate the benefits against the possible risks.
Unlimited Aftercare & Dietitian Support
Whether you have a gastric band, bypass, sleeve or balloon, your weight loss procedure is only the start of your journey. All these procedures are tremendous tools for weight loss and you can lose dramatic amounts of body weight, but it’s not entirely effortless. You DO have to work with it and you DO need aftercare following obesity surgery.
That’s why The Hospital Group includes market-leading aftercare packages with all our obesity procedures. We ensure that you are supported every step of the way with dietary and exercise advice to help you get the best weight loss result for you.
We believe it’s the best aftercare support package available and it’s designed to help you get the best weight loss results.
Gastric Balloon Aftercare
- 7 month Gastric Balloon aftercare support package
- Access to our specialist weight-loss support team which includes a bariatric surgeon, dietitians and nurses
- Removal of balloon after 6 months
- 24 hour emergency telephone helpline
- A free no obligation cosmetic surgery consultation with a GMC registered cosmetic surgeon, plus a £250 cosmetic surgery voucher
Further Information
We do reserve the right to change our aftercare policy from time to time. In case of any doubt, the aftercare policy in force at the time of your booking will be applied to you. Please note your aftercare policy starts on the date of your procedure. Feel free to print or download this page if you wish to keep it for future reference.
Consultation
If you would like to learn more regarding this weight loss surgery procedure then why not book a free, no obligation consultation with a GMC registered bariatric surgeon and dedicated patient care co-ordinator. At your consultation you will be able to discuss the procedure in detail and ask any questions you may have. Many of our patient care co-ordinators have in fact had a procedure themselves so can share their experience with you first hand.
