This is a balloon inserted into your stomach either by swallowing it, or requiring insertion under guidance with a gastroscopy. Depends on the balloon used, the balloon can stay within the stomach for 4 to 12 months duration. After which, the balloon can either be passed out by itself via the alimentary tract, or require a gastroscopy to retrieve the balloon.
What is a gastric balloon?
How do you insert this intra-gastric balloon?
There are 2 types of intra-gastric balloon. The Allurion Elipse is a swallowable balloon that do not require gastroscopy guided insertion. There are other gastric balloons that requires gastroscopy guided insertion, and they have been approved for a longer duration within the stomach.
What are the benefits of the procedure?
Depends on the type of balloon used, it can stay for a period of 4 months to 12 months.
Can it be removed earlier?
Yes. While most patients are able to tolerate the balloon within the stomach to achieve the maximum weight loss effect, a minority of patients may not be able to tolerate and request for the intra-gastric balloon to be removed early. This can be done with gastroscopy and is a day procedure, meaning you do not need to stay in hospital overnight.
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Who are suitable for intra-gastric balloon?
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Patients who are overweight with a BMI of >27.5, or patients not keen to undergo surgery, this may be a viable option. For patients who qualify for Bariatric and Metabolic surgery, some patients will consider this as an option as this is not as invasive and permanent when compared to surgery.
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Patients with obesity health-related conditions like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver, Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
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Patients who don’t qualify for surgery due to health issues
Who are not suitable for intra-gastric balloon insertion?
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Patients who have difficulty swallowing
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Patients who had previous stomach surgery, large hiatal hernia, any structural abnormality of the oesophagus or larynx
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Have a medical condition that does not permit endoscopy
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Are not willing to adopt dietary habits and behavioural changes that would make the therapy more successful
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Are going through drug or alcohol addiction
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Serious or uncontrolled psychiatric illness
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Are pregnant or breastfeeding
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Children younger than 18 years old
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Cancer
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Patients who are immune-compromised
Gastric balloon removal
Some types of gastric balloon will require a gastroscopy to remove it from the body. The intra gastric balloon is deflated, grabbed and removed with a grasper passed down the gastroscope. The Allurion Elipse balloon will self-deflate after its scheduled time. It will then be passed out of the body.