Gastric Balloon

 The gastric Balloon. 

The following information is for people who are having or thinking of having Gastric Balloon. Your care may differ from what is described below as the procedure is adapted to meet your individual needs, therefore it is important to follow your surgeon and his teams advice. For information regarding the surgeon and hospital, please click on Belgium under the destinations page Tab which is on he right side of this page.

Why a Gastric Balloon

The intragastric balloon is a saline-filled silicone balloon with a radiopaque valve that can be seen on x-rays.

The gastric balloon is placed in the stomach to create an early feeling of fullness during a small meal, causing a marked reduction in energy intake and weight reduction The best candidates are obese patients who do not fulfil the criteria for bariatric surgery, or super-obese patients who must lose weight prior to bariatric surgery, in order to prevent complications after the operation.

Placing the stomach balloon in the stomach can be done with a light anaesthetic. It is placed through the mouth and the oesophagus, down into the stomach.
You will not need to stay in hospital, however it is recommended that you remain in the hotel for at least one night post procedure.

Your surgeon will explain the benefits and risks of having a gastric Balloon, and will also discuss the alternatives to the procedure.
The balloon is designed to assist with weight loss in people who are at least 40% above their ideal weight and who have failed to obtain prolonged weight loss through other means. It is not designed to be a permanent treatment for obesity.

To have this procedure you must be over 18 years old.

Placement of a balloon may be particularly useful for people considered too overweight or at increased risk for surgery. The use of a balloon to reduce weight pre-surgery may help reduce the risks associated with surgical procedures on overweight patients.

The Intragastric Balloon system is run in parallel with a diet and the average weight loss is approximately 3 Kilograms per week

Pre Procedure

Prior to surgery you will need to complete a pre-admission medical history questionnaire. Your answers help the surgeon & hospital staff to plan your care by taking into account your medical history and any previous experience of hospital treatment as well as evaluating your suitability for surgery. 

The day of surgery you will have your consultation with the surgeon, dietician and undergo all required pre-operative tests such as bloods, ECG if required etc. This is the time to ask any questions you have.

If you normally take medication (eg tablets for blood pressure), continue to take this as usual, unless your surgeon specifically tells you not to. If you are unsure about taking your medication, please contact us or the surgeon, it is good practice to speak to your GP as well as the surgeon prior to surgery regarding your medication.

The Procedure

The balloon is inserted through the mouth into the stomach. Your surgeon will initially look at the stomach through an endoscopic camera.

If no abnormalities are seen he will then proceed with the placement of the balloon. This is made of a soft and pliable elastomer material and is inserted while in a small, deflated form. The swallowing process is made easier with the help of anaesthetic spray applied topically to numb the throat area.

Once inside the stomach it is immediately filled with between 400-700ml of sterile solution through a small filling 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.

When the balloon is full it is too large to pass into the bowel and will now float freely inside the stomach. Placement times vary but it will usually take between 20-30 minutes.

 
After you return home

If you need them, continue taking painkillers as advised by the hospital. Remember to book your after care on your return. The gastric balloon must be removed 6 months after being placed.

The first few days will be uncomfortable as the stomach gets used to the presence of the balloon. It is very likely that you will experience nausea and vomiting after placement. This can last for anything up to two weeks. Anti-sickness medication can be prescribed to help alleviate your symptoms.

Post Balloon Placement

Following balloon placement you will be given intravenous fluids until you are able to tolerate fluids orally. It is important to build up your intake of fluids and food gradually as the eventual aim is that you will be able to eat 3 smaller meals per day. You will be seen by a specialised dietician who will give you further advice.

In order for the balloon to be a success it is important to avoid grazing on food throughout the day and consume food and drink separately. You will be prescribed a daily multivitamin supplement to prevent deficiencies from a reduced intake.

The risks and making a decision to have a Gastric Balloon:

• These include adverse reactions to sedation or local anaesthetic, abdominal discomfort related to distention with air and a sore throat following the procedure, aspiration of fluid into the lungs, respiratory or cardiac arrest (both of which are extremely rare) and injury or perforation to the upper digestive tract.
• 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 is maybe fatal especially in obese patients.

Bacterial Growth

Should bacterial growth occur in the fluid that fills 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 by the balloon

If the balloon leaks and deflates it may pass through the intestine and be passed out of the body. However, it is possible for a deflated balloon to become lodged in the intestine and cause an obstruction, particularly in patients who have had previous abdominal surgery.

This is a serious complication possibly requiring surgical removal of the balloon. Any such operation in obese patients carries significant risk including death.

Please do not hesitate to discuss any questions or concerns you have with the team.

What are the contraindications for balloon insertion?

You may not be suitable for a balloon insertion if you have had any of the following:

• Any inflammatory disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract including inflammation of the oesophagus (food pipe), ulceration of the stomach or duodenum, tumours or other inflammatory conditions.
• Conditions that predispose you to bleeding e.g. varices
• A large hiatus hernia
• Strictures of the oesophagus or throat. 
• Any medical condition which increases the risks of an endoscopic procedure.
• Psychiatric disorders
• Previous gastric surgery.
• Alcoholism or drug addiction
• Patients receiving aspirin or other non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or those on long term anti-coagulation therapy.
• Patients who are pregnant or breast feeding.

How will the balloon be removed?

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