Silicon Balloon to Help Fight with Obesity

by Larry Oshiola Medical Consultant

About Gastric Balloon (Silicon Balloon)

Obesity has emerged as a scourge on mankind all over the world that has affected not only adults but young growing children as well. Overeating, improper or junk food coupled with sedentary lifestyle or lack of physical activity can be the factors attributed towards development of obesity.

Although bariatric surgery is considered to be the fastest and effective way to lose and control weight; a new non-surgical, safer and faster intra-gastric balloon (IGB) procedure is also being employed to treat obese and non obese patients.

Gastric balloon is ideal for those individuals who are over-weight and are a high-risk candidate for anesthesia. Gastric Balloon is a non-surgical procedure in which a saline filled silicon balloon is inserted into the stomach with the help of endoscope and kept in situ for a period of 6 months to a year.

Since the balloon is made up of silicon, Gastric Balloon procedure is also referred as Silicon Balloon procedure. You may be a right candidate for gastric ballooning procedure of weight loss surgery if you:

Have Body Mass Index of more than 30 or are 40% above your ideal weight
Do not want a surgical procedure
Are unfit for anesthesia
Want a temporary (6 months to 1 year) treatment solution to change your eating habits and lifestyle
Are ready to accept temporary implant in the stomach
Have no Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (heartburn)
Do not have poorly stabilized Type II diabetes.

In a gastric balloon procedure, gastric balloon is inserted into your stomach through your mouth and esophagus. Placement of gastric balloon is done using an endoscope having a thin, flexible tube that has a light and a camera on one end. Some patient might find the procedure uncomfortable but usually considered to be painless and takes only 15-20 minutes.

The gastric balloon in India can be performed with:

Non-adjustable balloons- in which fluid quantity cannot be changed
Adjustable balloon- in which fluid quantity cab be increased or decreased

Usually balloons manufactured by Orbera or Spatz are used for gastric balloon in India for a duration of 6 months and 1 year respectively.

Intra-gastric balloon can be kept abdomen for a period of 6 months to a year depending on the type of balloon inserted. However, on completion of stipulated period, gastric balloon is removed endoscopically that usually takes about 20 minutes.

Though extremely rare, yet if balloon ruptures in your stomach, you will pass blue color urine (as the balloon is filed with methylene blue stained fluid) and your doctor will remove that with endoscopic procedure.

How is it helpful to reduce weight?

Balloon occupies most of the space in the stomach and leaves little space for food and creates a feeling of fullness quicker after smaller meals. It reduces your urge to eat or hunger allowing you to control your portion sizes and surge ahead on the path to weight loss.

You can expect to lose about 20 to 30% of your excess weight after Gastric balloon surgery. Weight loss depends on many associated factors such as your age, gender, associated co-morbidities, type of balloon inserted, eating behavioral modifications made by you.

Gastric balloon helps you lose weight and reduce risk of potentially serious weight-related health problems like:

Heart disease and stroke
High blood pressure
Sleep apnea
Type 2 diabetes
Hypercholesterolemia
Arthritis
Hemorrhoids
Varicose veins

Gastric balloon procedure should not be perceived as a short cut. It requires lot of commitment and self-control on your part.

For achieving long lasting and best results, it is mandatory to follow the diet prescribed by the dietician and regular exercise for at least 30 to 45 minutes every day.

Reduce weight without any surgical procedure