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What is the Gastric Balloon?

The gastric balloon is a medical device designed to promote weight loss. It is a soft, expandable silicone balloon inserted into the stomach via endoscopy. Once in place, it is inflated with a sterile saline solution or air, thereby reducing the available space in the stomach and limiting the amount of food you can consume.

How Does the Gastric Balloon Work?

The gastric balloon works by creating a quicker and longer-lasting feeling of fullness through the following mechanisms:

  1. Reduction of Stomach Capacity: By occupying a significant portion of the stomach, the balloon allows you to feel full with less food.
  2. Feeling of Satiety: The balloon exerts pressure on the stomach walls, stimulating the satiety receptors and helping you feel full faster.
  3. Appetite Regulation: By eating less, you develop new eating habits and reduce portion sizes.

Benefits of the Gastric Balloon

The benefits of the gastric balloon include:

  1. Significant Weight Loss: Generally, patients lose between 10% and 15% of their body weight over the six months the balloon is in use.
  2. Non-Surgical Procedure: Unlike bariatric surgery, the insertion of the gastric balloon does not require incisions or permanent anatomical changes.
  3. Reversibility: The balloon is temporary and can be removed after six months, allowing for an assessment of its effectiveness without long-term commitment.
  4. Improvement of Comorbidities: Weight loss achieved with the balloon can improve or resolve health issues related to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.
  5. Support and Follow-Up: Patients often benefit from a support program that includes nutritional advice and regular medical follow-ups to optimize results.

Who is the Gastric Balloon For?

The gastric balloon is intended for:

  1. Patients with a BMI of 60 and above, preparing for bariatric surgery (Bridge) or another surgical intervention to reduce surgical risk.
  2. High-risk patients who cannot undergo bariatric surgery.
  3. Individuals with a BMI between 30 and 40 who have not succeeded in losing weight through conventional methods such as diet and exercise.
  4. Those seeking a non-surgical alternative to more invasive interventions.

Contraindications:

  • Patients under 18 years old
  • Pregnancy
  • Previous gastric, bariatric, or duodenal surgeries
  • Large hiatal hernias, esophageal diverticula, strictures, or stomach ulcers

Placement and Removal Process

  1. Before Insertion: One week before the procedure, treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) begins to reduce gastric acid secretion. An endoscopic examination of the stomach is conducted just before the balloon placement to check for contraindications.
  2. Placement: The balloon is inserted endoscopically under light sedation in a 20- to 30-minute procedure, allowing you to go home the same day.
  3. Adaptation Period: Initially, you may experience nausea or stomach cramps, but these symptoms generally subside within a few days. A strict liquid diet is followed for the first week. Starting from the second week, soft foods can be introduced.
  4. Regular Follow-Up: Regular medical follow-ups will assess your progress and adjust your treatment plan.
  5. Removal: After 6 or 12 months, depending on the type of balloon, it is deflated and removed endoscopically in a procedure similar to the insertion.

What is the Swallowable Gastric Balloon Pill?

Traditionally, the gastric balloon requires endoscopic intervention and anesthesia for placement and removal. The swallowable gastric balloon pill, like the one from Allurion, can be ingested with water without anesthesia and will naturally be expelled from the body after 4 to 6 months.

Conclusion

The gastric balloon is a non-surgical and effective solution for those seeking significant weight loss. Combined with a nutritional and medical support program, it can help achieve weight loss goals and improve quality of life. For more information, consult our online physician to discuss your eligibility, potential benefits, and get a free quote.

Testimonials

What our patients say

  Hello, I was operated on 09/17 by DR SkanderLouhichi, everything went very well. After a week I am 7 kilos lost. the welcome from the clinic staff was very warm and friendly and above all always caring for the...

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LOBNA.M.

  Hello, I have been operated on for 2 years: Thank you so many times dear doctor skander for saving my life, thanks to you I have managed to change my life, to have confidence in myself, to feel good about myself...

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Antonio Mario

  Hello everyone, 50 years 107 kg, after many searches for a sleeve on the internet and some contacts I found Dr. SkanderLouhichi, did some research and that great testimonials, I contacted him by email and very...

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CORINNE U.

  Hello, Pleasantly surprised by the good progress of the intervention. Listening surgeon who responds to emails adequately. I was not loose in nature; a team (a nurse + the driver) picked me up at the airport. For...

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AZIZ. Y.

  I needed a second chance, thank god the dr louhichi gave it to me I’m starting to live again. I had surgery on OCT 02 2018, it has already gone 19 kilos lighter I am very...

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LINDA

  I had a Sleeve on 04/03/2018 in Sousse in Tunisia. I was operated on by Doctor LOUHICHI Skander whom I would like to congratulate for all the support he gave me as well as the magnificent job he did with a very...

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Sabrina Ach.

  Hello, I was in moderate obesity and nobody wanted to hear me in France not well in my skin I had a bad being but his person did not want to hear it so I decided to do it abroad do several research and I came...

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Soumaya

  hello, I would like to add my testimony, I was in moderate obesity therefore not operable in France that is why I turned to doctor SkanderLouhichi specialist in obesity I therefore launched and had surgery on...

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MCECILE L.

  Hello, I was operated on December 26 by Doctor Skander for a Sleeve. Arrived at 11:40 am at the airport and Pick-up immediately with my husband. Room similar to French hospitals, with attentive staff. As soon as...

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MARINKO ERIC
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