The intragastric balloon consists of an inflatable device that is placed inside the stomach under endoscopic control and filled with saline mixed with a small amount of dye (methylene blue). Prior to the placement of the balloon it is necessary to perform an endoscopy to detect possible lesions that would contraindicate the placement of the device. It is a very safe procedure to treat obesity. Its use is intended to cause early satiety, so the patient eats less and the desired effect, weight loss, is achieved.
Patient profile
As a general rule, anyone with a BMI (Body Mass Index) greater than 30 and who does not suffer from psychiatric problems, active gastroduodenal ulcer, alcoholism, significant hiatal hernia, esophagogastric varices, gastric or esophageal neoplasms, drug addiction, anticoagulant consumption, pregnancy or patients who have previously undergone stomach surgery may opt for this method. In addition, this method is advisable when all previous attempts to lose weight through diets or other methods have failed.
In this sense, it is important to remember that the introduction of an intragastric balloon is a temporary aid that requires the effort and active participation of both the patient and the medical team that will be assisting him/her.
Risks of the intragastric balloon
There are the risks of any endoscopy and the risk associated with deep sedation in obese patients. In addition, nausea and vomiting may occur during the first days after placement, which progressively diminish in the following weeks.
The risks associated with the placement and removal of the intragastric balloon are low, do not exceed 3-4% and are usually solved by endoscopy. These include problems filling the device, bronchoaspiration or incoercible vomiting, which can force early removal of the balloon. Other risks related to the balloon itself are rare, and include gastric ulceration, gastrointestinal bleeding or balloon deflation.
Recovery after intragastric balloon placement
After placement, there is a period of 2-10 days in which the patient may experience nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, symptoms that progressively diminish over the following weeks. What usually remains is early satiety with sporadic vomiting that diminishes when the patient manages to educate his dietary habit to a point where he only eats what he tolerates and does not cause discomfort.