subject: Gastric Balloon, How Does It Work? [print this page] A gastric balloon sometimes known as a stomach balloon is a non-surgical treatment for people who are overweight or obese. Its a way of making you feel full after eating a small amount of food so the gastric balloon can therefore help contribute to weight loss.
Patients are giving a throat spray which has a numbing effect (a mild sedative can also be used if necessary) and then a small, thin tube is inserted through the mouth, down the throat and into the stomach. A silicone balloon is inserted into the stomach and filled with a saline solution. Your food still passes through your digestive system in the normal way, but the amount your stomach can hold is reduced.
If diet and exercise have failed to help you control your weight, a gastric balloon has a number of advantages:
You dont need an overnight stay in hospital
while it may take some time to adjust to the gastric balloon theres no recovery period after the procedure
the balloon is removable, so the procedure is fully reversible
compared to other intervention methods such as gastric bypass there is a lower risk of complications
Remember though, that theres always a risk with any invasive procedure, and a gastric balloon by itself may not wholly solve your weight loss problems youll still need to eat healthily and take some exercise. Many patients, though, report significant weight loss after having a gastric balloon inserted and some also report an improvement in their emotional health and sleep patterns.
If you think you might benefit from a gastric balloon the best person to speak in the first place is your GP. They will explain the advantages and disadvantages to you and if necessary refer you to a suitable specialist. For more info visit: http://www.thehospitalgroup.org/gastric-balloon.php
