INTRAGASTRIC BALL

Non surgical treatment for obesity

Obesity is not healthy. It can cause physical problems and illnesses, such as cardiac and vascular conditions and diabetes. Besides, it can have important Psychological consequences, as a negative personal image.

With the development of the intragastric ball arrives a device for losing weight that, along with a diet controlled and a program for the modification of the behavior, can help it to obtain the esthetic benefits and associated health with the loss of weight.

What is the Intragastric Balloon?

The system consists of a soft, expandable balloon, the placement tube and a filling system so a physician can orally insert the weight loss aid. Once inserted in the stomach, the empty balloon is filled with sterile saline. When full, the balloon is too large to pass into the bowel and will now float freely in the stomach.

How Does the system work?

It is designed to make compliance with a supervised diet and behavior modification program easier. The balloon partially fills the stomach and patients report that they have a feeling of fullness.

How Is the Intragastric Balloon Placed in the Stomach?

The balloon is introduced into the stomach through the mouth without the need for surgery. The physician conducts an initial examination of the stomach using an endoscopic camera. If no abnormalities are observed, the physician proceeds with placement of the balloon through the mouth and down the oesophagus into the stomach. The balloon is made of a soft and pliable silicone elastomer material and is inserted while in its smallest, deflated form. The swallowing process is made easier with the help of anaesthetics applied topically to numb the throat area. Muscle relaxing medications are also used.

Once the balloon is inside the stomach, it is immediately filled with sterile saline through a small filling tube (catheter) attached to the balloon. Once filled, the doctor removes the catheter by gently pulling on the external end. The balloon has a self-sealing valve, and at this point the balloon is floating freely in the stomach.

Placement times vary but it will usually take 20-30 minutes, after which you will be monitored by the physician for a short time and then may return home.

Who Can Use the Intragastric Balloon?

The INTRAGASTRIC BALLOON System is designed to assist with weight loss in people who are at least 40% above their ideal weight (as defined by the Metropolitan Life Insurance 1983 Weight and Frame tables) and who have failed to obtain prolonged weight loss with other weight control programs.

The INTRAGASTRIC BALLOON System may be particularly useful for people considered too overweight or at increased risk for vital surgery. The use of the INTRAGASTRIC BALLOON System to successfully reduce weight prior to surgery may help reduce the risks associated with surgical procedures on overweight patients.

How Long Is the Intragastric Balloon System Balloon Used?

The balloon currently can be used for six months. Longer periods of use are not recommended. Over time the acidic content of the stomach will weaken the balloon material and cause the balloon to deflate. Should your physician recommend use of the balloon for longer than six months, it is necessary that the balloon be replaced with a new one when the six-month interval has been met.
While you are using the balloon, your physician may prescribe a course of oral medication to reduce your stomach acid (this may reduce the possibility of stomach irritation and damage to the balloon).

What Happens if the Intragastric Balloon System Balloon Deflates Spontaneously?

If the balloon deflates before a scheduled removal you may or may not be aware that it has occurred. Your physician may place a coloured dye inside the balloon in order to help you clearly identify early deflation by a change in the colour of your urine.

The balloon is small enough that it may pass through the intestines and leave the body naturally, but there have been some cases in which it has had to be removed from the bowel surgically. If you suspect a deflation, you must notify your physician immediately.

How Will the Intragastric Balloon System Balloon Be Removed?

The balloon is normally removed in the same way it was placed, via the oesophagus and mouth. Prior to removal, you will be given a muscle relaxant and a topical anaesthetic will be applied to numb the throat. Using an endoscopic camera, the physician will introduce a catheter through the mouth and into the stomach. The balloon will then be punctured and deflated. Once the balloon is deflated it can be grasped and removed.

How Much Weight Will I Lose with the Intragastric Balloon System?

It is important for you to understand that the INTRAGASTRIC BALLOON System is an aid to weight loss and must be used in conjunction with a prescribed diet and behaviour modification program. Therefore, the amount of weight you lose will depend on how closely you follow your diet. How long you maintain weight loss will depend on how completely you adopt long-term lifestyle changes involving eating behaviour and exercise.

Will I Regain My Weight after the Intragastric Balloon System Balloon Is Removed?

Because the balloon in the stomach creates a feeling of fullness, it acts as an aid to weight reduction and may help you to adhere to a prescribed diet. You will have a much greater chance of maintaining your weight loss after balloon removal if you maintain and improve the diet and behaviour changes you made while using the balloon.

What Unpleasant Effects Are Possible with the Intragastric Balloon?

It is very likely that the presence of the balloon in the stomach will cause nausea or vomiting for a few days after placement. Your physician can prescribe medication to alleviate these potential effects.

There exists the possibility that you will lose only a small amount of weight or lose no weight at all while using the balloon. Of course, as stated earlier, your commitment to dietary and behavioural changes is a pivotal factor in the outcome.

There is also the chance that unhealthy, uncontrolled weight loss will occur and create adverse health consequences. Be sure to speak with your physician about this.

Are there any risks associated to the Intragastric Balloon?

As in every medical procedures, there are risks of unexpected, unknown and adverse reactions due to used medication and procedures. This may vary on people.

As in any gastric procedure, there is a risk of producing injuries to the digestive tract during placement of the balloon in an improper location such as in the esophagus or duodenum. This could cause bleeding or even perforation, which could require a surgical correction for control.

If there were a bacterial growth in the fluid which fills the balloon, a rapid release of this fluid into the intestine could cause infection, fever, cramps and diarrhea.

Another complication is caused by an insufficiently inflated balloon or a leaking balloon that has lost sufficient volume may be able to pass from the stomach into the small bowel. It may pass all the way through into the colon and be passed with stool. However, if there should be a narrow area in the bowel, as might occur after prior surgery on the bowel or adhesion formation, the balloon may not pass and then may cause a bowel obstruction. If this occurs, percutaneous drainage, surgery or endoscopic removal could be required.

Of course, your physician is the best person to discuss all your questions. You are strongly recommended to address your questions and expectations related with the intragastric balloon system to your physician, and to assess its benefits comparing to the possible risks before making a decision about using it as an aid to lose weight.