Ingestible Balloon

What is the ingestible balloon?

The ingestible balloon is a device that helps overweight and moderately obese patients to lose weight more easily. It is an implant designed to be implanted by direct ingestion by the patient.

Why is it performed?

It is performed as a replacement for the intragastric balloon method, which required a surgical intervention for its implantation. The ingestible balloon is much easier to place, since it is ingested as if it were a pill, helping the patient to lose weight gradually.

What does it consist of?

It consists of swallowing the balloon by means of a capsule that is swallowed by the patient, which swells in the stomach to a volume of 550-600cc. Although it does not require endoscopy, it must still be performed under the supervision of a medical specialist.

As soon as the patient swallows the balloon capsule, the balloon is placed in the stomach without the need for any intervention. However, a radioscopy is required to make sure that the balloon is in the correct position before proceeding to inflate it.

This treatment is indicated for patients with a body mass index between 27-36 kg/m2 and a target weight loss of approximately 10 kg. The patient must wear the device for 16 weeks, starting to degrade after the 15th week. The treatment also includes treatment with specialists in Nutrition and Psychology, among other doctors, during the following 6 months. Finally, if necessary, there is the possibility of implanting a second ingestible balloon to the patient.

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Preparation for the placement of the ingestible balloon

The preparation is simple. The patient must drink a glass of water to swallow the catheter capsule containing the ingestible balloon. Then, once the balloon is in place, it is inflated with about 600cc of sterile liquid. The doctor will then carefully remove the catheter from the patient’s mouth so that the balloon remains in the patient’s stomach.

Since this is such a simple technique, neither sedation nor hospitalization of the patient is necessary. It is performed on an outpatient basis and at the end of the procedure the patient can go home and resume his or her usual activities.

Care after the procedure

The swallowable balloon will remain in the stomach for four months, and then it will be removed spontaneously and the silicone will be eliminated, without any risk for the patient. After the procedure, the patient can live a completely normal life, but while the balloon is in place he/she may feel some discomfort until the body gets used to the balloon. In some cases it may cause diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, but in general the risks are minimal.

Alternatives to this treatment

Another similar treatment would be the intragastric balloon, which is surgically inserted into the patient’s stomach. This device, like the intragastric balloon, by occupying part of the stomach reduces the patient’s feeling of hunger, so that together with a diet it helps patients to reduce their weight considerably.