Gastric Balloon

A gastric balloon procedure involves inserting silicon balloons into the stomach of the patient that reduces the overall volume available for food. This results in the patient feeling satiated and full – with considerably smaller portions of good, thus reducing the overall food intake. Subsequently, this leads to weight loss and also helps the patient with type 2 diabetes, heart disease and joint-related problems.

The insertion of the gastric balloon is considered to be relatively safer when compared to a gastric banding or bypass procedure and has a good prognosis. The balloons are inserted while they are still deflated and then inflated once they have been implanted in the stomach. Patients with a BMI of 40 and above can opt to undergo a gastric balloon procedure while those with a slightly lower BMI may also choose for this procedure should they suffer from co-morbidities such as – type 2 diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnoea.