The gastric balloon is placed into the stomach in a simple, non-surgical outpatient treatment abroad. First, a diagnostic endoscopy is done to ensure that there are no contraindications and that it is safe to perform the treatment. Once you are mildly sedated and comfortable, the treatment abroad can begin.
The deflated balloon is inserted through the oesophagus and into your stomach. A syringe is then used to fill the balloon with a sterile saline solution. Once the weight loss balloon has been filled with saline it is about the size of a grapefruit. The entire gastric balloon treatment takes about 20-30 minutes. After roughly two hours of recovery, most patients head home to begin the rest of their new life.
Whilst deflated the gastric balloon is inserted into your stomach through your mouth and oesophagus. This is done using a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope. You will be given a mild sedative or a “light” anaesthetic for this treatment abroad. The treatment may be uncomfortable but is generally painless.
How much weight you can lose with the gastric balloon?
The weight loss balloon stays in your stomach for the first six months after the treatment abroad. Using the gastric balloon you usually see the most drastic results in the first six months. On average people lose between 20 and 30% of their excess weight. However, the amount of weight lost by each patient will vary depending on individual circumstances. It is very important to use this time to develop healthy habits that will continue not only the 12-month weight loss program.
What is a gastric balloon?
The treatment is becoming a popular weight loss alternative to ‘going under the knife’. The gastric weight loss treatment using gastric is also available abroad where it is much cheaper than in the UK and you can skip NHS waiting lists, the standards are still set just as high.
A treatment is a non-surgical, short term weight loss option that creates a feeling of fullness quicker after smaller meals. Gastric balloon reduces your hunger allowing you to control your portion sizes.
The pill capsule is a new type of treatment. You swallow a capsule that is attached to a thin tube. When it is in position at the top of your stomach, the balloon is inflated using gas through the tube. The tube is then removed. No sedation is required. Up to 3 balloons can be placed in your stomach to continue to facilitate weight loss. At the end of this period, the balloons are removed in a short endoscopic treatment. The second stage of treatment can be performed abroad where the prices will be lower and there will not be a long NHS waiting list. You can have treatment abroad to get treatment quicker and cheaper the standards in clinics abroad are set just a high as in the UK.
Who should be recommended gastric balloon
A gastric balloon is recommended for patients who need to lose weight before an operation to reduce their surgical risk, or it can be used as a stand-alone, non-surgical treatment option for weight management. Weight loss with a gastric balloon can be less and slower than the surgical weight loss options. It is a useful way to lose weight if you don’t meet the criteria for surgical weight loss treatments. A gastric balloon is a popular weight-loss option if you cannot lose a large amount of weight and keep it off by dieting, changing your behaviour and exercising alone; or if you have serious health problems caused by obesity.
Your bariatric surgeon will discuss with you the best option of weight loss and if you are eligible for gastric balloon insertion. They will look at your body mass index (BMI) and any health conditions you suffer from that are caused by your weight such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, joint pain and depression. You will need to be committed to eating less, making healthy food choices and making appropriate lifestyle changes as recommended by your consultant.
Gastric balloon benefits
One major benefit of the gastric balloon is the avoidance of invasive surgery and the risks associated with surgery. As it only takes 15 minutes under a mild sedative you can go home the same day. This, in turn, means that a gastric balloon is less expensive than many surgical options. It is only temporary, offering support whilst you start to lose weight and become more active. Weight loss treatment using a gastric balloon can be performed abroad where the prices are lower than in the UK.
Most people don’t experience any complications at all but you should be aware of the risks. Bleeding or perforation can occur as a result of injury during balloon insertion or removal. Gastric discomfort, nausea and vomiting are common for the first few days following balloon. You may get a sense of heaviness in the abdomen, abdominal and/or back pain, gastro-oesophageal reflux or indigestion. Although rare, leakage or deflation of the balloon could occur.
A full list of risks will be explained to you by your private consultant who is undertaking the treatment abroad.
Before you have your gastric balloon inserted your consultant will discuss with you a post-treatment diet. You may also receive advice on an exercise programme that will help you lose weight.
Most popular destinations for having gastric balloon abroad
The treatment is very popular and it is done abroad in Poland, Latvia, the Czech Republic for much cheaper than you would expect it also makes you skip the NHS waiting list.