Gastric Balloon

Definition of Gastric Balloon

The gastric balloon is a medical device shaped like a balloon that is inserted into the patient's stomach endoscopically. It aims to reduce the stomach's capacity, creating an early satiety sensation and promoting weight loss.

Once placed in the stomach, the remaining space for food is reduced. By occupying ¾ of the space with the balloon, the ghrelin levels increase as soon as the little food the patient ingests occupies the remaining quarter of the stomach. The amount of food is drastically reduced. Weight loss is sustainable and forces the patient to modify their eating behavior.

With a gastric balloon, the patient can typically lose between 10 and 20 kilograms, depending on their body size, sometimes more. Most balloons need to be removed after a predetermined period, and the procedure is also outpatient and quick (approximately 30 minutes).

Placing a Gastric Balloon

The gastric balloon is, in fact, a balloon that is inserted into the stomach without surgery to occupy a part of it and allow weight loss through satiety and slowing down food transit. Diet can be re-evaluated, reduced, and re-educated to significantly reduce excess weight.

The placement of the balloon does not require surgery (or minimally invasive surgery), so:

• no surgery

• no stitches

• no scar

The soft silicone balloon is inserted deflated, "endoscopically (through the mouth). Once in the stomach, it is filled with sterile saline solution (physiological serum), which is generally tinted with methylene blue, resulting in green urine as an indicator if it punctures. The liquid is introduced through a small filling tube (catheter) attached to the balloon, which will be removed once the balloon is filled.

The gastric balloon is a means to help a person lose weight by eating less, but it must be integrated into a comprehensive program that includes nutritional advice, physical activity, and psychological support.

Most silicone balloons are placed for 6 months or one year. At the end of 6 months or 1 year, you will need to come to have it removed, except for the dissolvable Elipse balloons.

Different Types of Gastric Balloons

• Liquid-filled intragastric balloon: This type of balloon is filled with a sterile saline solution.
• Air-filled intragastric balloon: This type of balloon is filled with air. This type of balloon is becoming less common.
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Different Brands of Gastric Balloons

• MEDSIL: 6-month balloon
• ORBERA365: 12-month balloon
• SPANTZ: 12-month balloon, and adjustable
• ALLURION: Elipse, dissolvable and swallowable balloon.

Procedure Overview

The insertion of the gastric balloon is done endoscopically, meaning no surgical incision is required. Here are the main steps:

1. Local anesthesia or mild sedation of the patient.
2. Insertion of the balloon into the stomach through an endoscope.
3. The balloon is filled with liquid or air once inside the stomach.
4. Verification of the correct position of the balloon by medical imaging.
5. The balloon remains in place for a predetermined period (usually 6 to 12 months).
6. Removal of the balloon by endoscopy at the end of the treatment period.

Materials Constituting the Gastric Balloon

Gastric balloons are generally made of safe and biocompatible materials such as medical-grade silicone. These materials are designed to minimize the risk of allergic reactions or rejection by the body.