A gastric balloon Dubai, also known as endoscopic intragastric balloon, is a procedure that involves inserting a soft expandable prosthetic balloon into the stomach to take up room and decrease the stomach’s ability to hold a certain quantity of food. The procedure results in making a person feel full faster and helps one to eat fewer servings, hence leading to weight loss.
The balloons available at Clemenceau include:
To be eligible for a gastric balloon procedure, patients must have a BMI of 30 to 40 and should not have undergone any form of weight loss surgery before. For those who need to lose about 30% of their body weight, the gastric balloon works best.
Patients who may need the gastric balloon procedure must adhere to a 12-month diet and exercise schedule in order to maintain a long-term weight loss.
Prior to the gastric balloon procedure, a diagnostic endoscopy is performed by the doctor before the surgery begins. This procedure involves inserting a tiny camera into the esophagus and stomach through the mouth. This is done to confirm that the anatomy is in a healthy condition, and that the surgery can be performed safely.
The soft silicone deflated balloon is then put orally through endoscopy or tablet ingestion. The balloon expands to about the size of a grapefruit after being inflated with saline. After two hours of recuperation, the majority of patients are discharged.
The procedure should not be applied to patients who:
Post-placement side effects of gastric balloons may include:
Rare side effects include:
Some of the benefits of a gastric balloon procedure include:
The benefits of a gastric balloon include significant weight loss, improvement in obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea, and improvement in quality of life.
The gastric balloon is typically left in place for 6-12 months, after which it is removed.
Yes, lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and a healthy diet are important for long-term success after a gastric balloon procedure. Patients will also need to avoid certain foods and follow specific dietary guidelines to prevent complications.
Clemenceau Medical Center Dubai offers the Endoscopic Gastric Balloon procedure as part of our Weight Loss & Bariatric Program.