Endocrinology and nutrition

Unidad de Endocrine Neck Surgery

Consultants:

Intragastric balloon

Intragastric balloon: non-surgical solution

The intragastric (IG) balloon is the non-surgical and non-pharmacological solution for controlling weight. A high-resistance silicone balloon is inserted in the stomach in an endoscopic procedure and then filled with 400-700 ml of sterile saline. This painless procedure is done under sedation, without general anaesthesia. It is done on an outpatient basis and you can go home about 2 hours after the balloon’s placement.

How does the IG balloon work?

The IG balloon is designed to help you feel satiated. In addition to feeling less hungry, you’ll also notice that you will feel full more quickly after meals. The IG balloon reduces your stomach’s capacity, which means you need less food. This allows you to follow a nutrition programme to correct your eating habits without feeling hungry so that you’ll be able to maintain your weight loss once the balloon is removed.

Who is a candidate for the IG balloon?

In obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) above 30, who are 15 to 20 kilos overweight, or who have other problems caused by being overweight, like diabetes or hypertension.

In adolescents aged 13 to 18 who are not eligible for permanent surgical treatments of obesity because they do not yet have the physical or emotional maturity to deal with those types of surgery.

In patients with morbid obesity who do not want to undergo surgery or who want to reduce their weight before undergoing a permanent surgical solution.

Placing the IG balloon

The time needed to place the IG balloon does not exceed 20 minutes in the endoscopy room, and patients can go home 2 hours after the balloon is placed. With the patient under sedation, we use a camera to control the placement of the balloon. Patients feel no discomfort during the procedure.

After placement: Follow up and removal

Patients will be given written instructions regarding the diet they have to follow immediately after placement, and they’ll be given medication to prevent and treat any nausea that may occur. Any discomfort usually lasts 1 or 2 days. From that point on, patients can return to their normal routine.

Follow up with the nutritionist and medical specialist is extremely important in order to be re-educated about food and nutrition.

The removal of the IG balloon will take place after 6 months, and the process will be very similar to how it was placed: an endoscopic camera will be inserted in order to deflate the balloon and remove it.

After removal, there is no discomfort. You will have lost weight and we will have taught you how to eat better and be satisfied with your new way of eating, so you won’t feel any hungrier than you did with the balloon in place. Post-removal, you will have check ups for 6 months to reinforce your new habits.