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What is a Gastric Ballon?

The Gastric Balloon is a part of a comprehensive program which should include balloon placement as well as diet and exercise. A soft balloon filled with saline is placed in your stomach for six months to reinforce proper portion control.

The gastric balloon is implanted via a non-surgical procedure utilizing a flexible camera. It aids to weight loss by acting as “filler” inside the stomach. A gastric balloon takes up space inside the stomach so that a patient will experience less of a hungry “empty stomach” feeling, consume smaller portions during meals, and feel full after eating small meals.

While the this procedure has proven to be an effective approach to keeping pounds off of our New Jersey gastric balloon patients, weight loss results vary. How well your weight loss is maintained depends on your willingness and commitment to following a structured diet and exercise program in combination with the gastric balloon.

Why Choose the Gastric Balloon?

The Gastric Balloon makes you feel full all the time and you can eat only small portions because your stomach is filled with the balloon already and there is not much room for the food left. The Gastric Balloon is temporary and is placed in your stomach for six months without surgery or any incisions using a fibro-optic camera. There is no recovery time needed, and you are ready to go back to your regular activities, including work, the next day.

The reason the Gastric Balloon has to be removed after six months is that if left in the stomach longer, it can break down and slide into the intestines causing blockage. Additionally it can potentially wear out the lining of the stomach and create an ulcer.

Gastric Balloon New Jersey

How is a Gastric Balloon Inserted?

During the Gastric Balloon procedure, a deflated balloon is guided down a patient’s esophagus into their stomach. A long syringe is used to fill the balloon with a completely safe, sterile saline solution. The Gastric Balloon is then inflated with saline solution to about the size of a grapefruit. When inflated, the Gastric Balloon partially fills stomach space, effectively reducing the size of a patient’s stomach. This will lead to patients feeling less hunger and consuming smaller food portions. The entire Gastric Balloon insertion procedure takes about half an hour. Due to the procedure being non-surgical and minimally invasive on a person’s body, our New Jersey Gastric Balloon patients normally go home after a couple hours of recovery time.


Benefits of the Gastric Balloon

If you are afraid of surgery, or simply not heavy enough for Weight Loss Surgery, the Gastric Balloon can be a great option. It is approved for patients with a BMI of 30. What are the side effects? Primarily nausea and vomiting, especially in the first 2 weeks. The balloon can also shift inside your stomach and cause blockage.

The Gastric Balloon would be a great choice for someone who needs to lose 30-40 lbs. and just needs an extra tool to get them started. The Gastric Balloon is not covered by insurance, but we have a financing plan available.


What is the Cost of Gastric Balloon?

The balloon is not covered by insurance, but we have a financing plan available. Schedule a consultation to find out if this can work for you.


How Long Does a Gastric Balloon Stay Inside the Stomach?

The gastric balloon is not intended to be a long-term weight loss solution. Our candidates for a gastric balloon in New Jersey must be aware that Gastric Balloon is only designed to remain inside the stomach for six months. If your unique weight loss plan requires using the Gastric Balloon for more than six months, the procedure will be repeated. During the second Gastric Balloon procedure, your old balloon will be simply replaced with a new one.


How Much Weight Can Someone Expect to Lose with a Gastric Balloon?

Unfortunately, the exact amount of weight a person can expect to lose after a Gastric Balloon procedure can’t be correctly estimated, as it varies person to person. There is no “set” amount of weight patients should expect to lose. This is because the effectiveness of any weight loss program, including a Gastric Balloon, greatly depends on how strictly a patient follows a diet and exercise plan. When a patient adheres to a diet and exercise plan, a Gastric Balloon can go a long way toward dropping a significant number of pounds, and keeping them off.


Can the Gastric Balloon Be Felt Inside the Stomach?

As with many medical procedures, a patient might experience discomfort during the initial days after a Gastric Balloon is inserted. After a short healing period, the only feeling the patient should routinely feel is being full after a sensible meal.


Recovery Following a Gastric Balloon Procedure

Your weight loss surgeon will recommend that you limit your activities for several days after a Gastric Balloon procedure. How long each patient should avoid physical activity depends upon their individual ability to heal, and how carefully they manage the recovery period. Always follow your doctor’s orders post-surgery so that you heal as fast as possible.


Does a Gastric Balloon Require Frequent Follow Up Doctor Visits?

Anyone choosing to undergo a Gastric Balloon procedure must be aware of the time commitment the procedure requires. After the Gastric Balloon is inserted, patients will need to follow up with our doctor once a month for the entire six-month period the balloon is in place. During these follow up visits, your overall health and weight loss progress are monitored and evaluated. Patients are advised to continue monthly doctor follow up visits for six months after the balloon is removed. These visits are intended to make sure your weight loss plan is a continued success.


Are There Any Food Restrictions?

This is one of the best parts of the Gastric Balloon procedure: it does not restrict the types of foods you eat. The Gastric Balloon procedure will just lead to people eating a smaller amount of food. Keep in mind that excessive eating with a Gastric Balloon in the stomach can be physically dangerous.

After the balloon is removed, can another balloon be placed?

Yes, Gastric Balloon placement can be repeated if desired. We recommend a 2-3 month break between removal of the balloon and placement of another balloon.


Contact Us Today

If you are interested in learning more about the benefits and risks of a Gastric Balloon, do not hesitate to contact Advanced Surgical Solutions to schedule a consultation today. During your private consultation for a Gastric Balloon New Jersey Bariatric Surgeon, Dr. Vadim Gristus can answer your questions, concerns, and evaluate your condition to determine if you are a good candidate for this newly-developed and less known non-surgical weight loss procedure.

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