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The Obalon Gastric Balloon Procedure


 

The gastric balloon procedure is a nonsurgical, FDA-approved treatment for weight-loss for patients with a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40. The balloon or balloons are placed in the stomach and filled with gas or saline (salt water) to fill the stomach so that you feel more full. Following the procedure, you will be coached for a determined amount of time on healthy lifestyle changes as you lose weight with the help of your implant to ensure weight loss success in the future. Gastric balloons are ideal for patients in the BMI range who can’t or won’t undergo a more invasive procedure.

Obalon Balloon

The Obalon Balloon System is a unique procedure in which patients swallow a capsule that contains the balloon that is then inflated with gas by the physician using a thin tube. This can be done as a same-day procedure and requires no anesthesia. Two more balloons are added following a three-month period, and all three are removed after six months.

What is the Obalon Balloon System?

The Obalon Balloon System is the first and only swallowable, FDA-approved gastric balloon procedure for weight loss offered by the award-winning specialists at Advanced Surgeons. It is a three-balloon system that fills the stomach so patients feel fuller faster when eating and consequently eat less. Like other gastric balloons, it’s designed for adults (22 years and older) with a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40 who have failed to lose weight through diet and exercise.

How does it work?

With this system, patients swallow a capsule that contains the balloon. The balloon is inflated with a nitrogen gas mixture by the physician using a thin tube during an in-office procedure. There is no anesthesia, so patients can resume normal activity immediately after the procedure.

One month after the first balloon is swallowed, patients typically swallow the second balloon. Two months later, a third balloon capsule is swallowed. Then, all of the balloons are removed six months after the first balloon capsule is swallowed. The balloons, when inflated, are each approximately the size of a small orange.

During the six-month period, patients also undergo a moderate, professionally-supervised nutrition and exercise program for optimal weight loss with the help of the specialists at Advanced Surgeons. Overall, the Obalon Balloon System offers support to help change eating habits and keep the weight off for long-term success.

How are the balloons removed?

When the six-month period is up, all of the balloons are removed in an outpatient endoscopic procedure under light sedation. The removal process takes about 15 minutes.

What are the results?

In a 2016 study, this system was shown to help patients achieve significant weight loss. In fact, patients in the study lost twice as much weight loss compared to diet and exercise alone. In addition, an average of 89 percent of the weight lost was kept off (when combined with diet and exercise).

What is required?

Physical requirements aside (i.e., a BMI between 30 and 40), it is important to note that the Obalon Balloon System’s success is dependent on a patient’s readiness to make substantial life changes. The amount of weight lost in the long-term will be determined by the patient’s willingness and ability to carry what they learned over once the six-month period is finished.

Obalon Gastric Balloon

About Advanced Surgeons

Advanced Surgeons is made up of some of the pioneers in gastric weight-loss procedures. With decades of combined experience among them, the surgeons and staff ensure the highest quality compassionate care coupled while using only the latest advancements in tools and techniques in the industry.

For more information on the Obalon Balloon System or to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, contact us today.

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