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A gastric or intragastric balloon is an inflatable balloon, used as a temporary treatment to aid weight loss.  The balloon works by partially filling the stomach which creates a feeling of fullness, therefore helping people to control portion size and change their eating behaviour leading to weight loss.

The procedure
This is a non-surgical procedure, performed by a Consultant Bariatric Surgeon, whereby the balloon is inserted through the mouth into the stomach.  The balloon is made of a soft and pliable elastomer material and is swallowed while in a small, deflated form.  The process is made easier with the use of an anaesthetic spray applied topically to numb the throat area to help with swallowing.

Your surgeon will look at your stomach through an endoscopic camera to check the placement of the balloon, before filling it with between 400-700ml of sterile solution through a small tube (catheter) attached to the balloon. Once filled, the catheter is gently removed by pulling on the external end.  The balloon has a self sealing valve and will float freely inside the stomach, when full it is too large to pass into the bowel.

The procedure is usually performed under sedation and takes between 20-30 minutes.

Recovery
You will need to stay in hospital for two to four days, sometimes longer.  It is necessary to severely restrict oral fluid immediately afterwards, so you will need intravenous fluids to start with.  The first few days will be uncomfortable as the stomach gets used to the presence of the balloon.  It is likely that you will experience nausea and vomiting, which can last for anything up to two weeks.  Anti-sickness medication can be prescribed to help alleviate your symptoms.

Aftercare
You will see a specialised dietician who will give you advice.  But, it is important to build up your intake of fluids and food gradually, eventually to three small meals per day, avoid grazing on food throughout the day, and to consume food and drink separately. You will be prescribed a daily multivitamin supplement to prevent deficiencies from a reduced intake.

You may also need a course of oral medication to reduce your stomach acid and the possibility of stomach irritation or damage to the balloon.  Over time the acidic content of the stomach will naturally weaken the balloon material causing it to deflate, which is why balloons can only be left in place for six months.  

After the initial six month period you and your bariatric surgeon will discuss the next step. This may be a further balloon or progression to a surgical procedure as a longer term aid to weight loss.  Should it be felt necessary to use the balloon for any longer, it will need to be replaced with a new balloon.  Balloons are normally removed via the oesophagus and the mouth, in much the same way as they were inserted.

The risks
Although gastric balloon procedures are generally performed without any complications, it is very important to be fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking this type of treatment, including:

• Injury to the oesophagus or stomach - as with other gastric procedures, there is a risk of injury to the lining of the digestive tract, whether by direct contact with the instruments used to place the balloon, by the balloon itself or as a result of increased acid production by the stomach. This could possibly lead to ulcer formation, pain, bleeding and perforation. Perforation is a serious complication which would normally require emergency surgery and could be fatal especially in obese patients.
• Bacterial growth- should bacterial growth occur in the fluid filling the balloon, release of contaminated fluid into the intestine when the balloon is punctured for removal may cause infection, fever, cramps and diarrhoea.
• Intestinal obstruction - if the balloon leaks and deflates it may pass through the intestine and out of the body. However, it is possible for a deflated balloon to become lodged in the intestine and cause an obstruction.  This is a serious complication possibly requiring surgical removal of the balloon.

The benefits
The weight loss that is achieved is variable but can be quite rapid initially.  Ultimately though weight loss depends on making diet and behavioural changes in conjunction with the balloon.

Next steps
A free consultation is available with our Consultant Bariatric Surgeon. This is an opportunity to discuss all the options, your suitability for treatment and the procedure itself.  To make an appointment please call us on 020 8936 1201.