How Does Gastric Balloon Surgery Work? The gastric balloon procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Patients can usually go home three hours after the balloon is inserted and inflated. The balloon is inserted using tiny, endoscopic instruments, including a pencil-shaped probe with a tiny camera attached to it which helps the surgeon to visualize the area. A small tube or catheter is attached to the balloon. Your surgeon will fill the balloon with saline solution then remove the catheter. The balloon has a self-sealing valve. It floats freely inside the stomach. When full, the gastric balloon is too large to pass into the bowel

Advantages of the Gastric Balloon: You will learn the principles needed to change how you eat and think about food. This type of nutritional program will continue after the balloon is removed so you can continue to lose weight or maintain the weight you’ve lost. Your stomach will return to normal after the gastric balloon is removed. Advocates believe that it can still result in lasting and ongoing weight loss after removal because it helps exact behavioral changes; their theory holds that people get used to eating smaller portions of food and are therefore more inclined to continue to eat in this manner long after the balloon is removed.

What to expect from the Gastric Balloon: The most important lifestyle change revolves around your diet. You feel fuller earlier so you eat smaller portions of food. However, unlike other bariatric surgeries, such as lap band surgery, after which certain high-fat foods may trigger side effects, you can eat all types of foods after undergoing gastric balloon — just in smaller portions. If you overeat with a gastric balloon, you may feel extremely nauseated or vomit. It is not risk-free. Some people may experience excessive pain and vomiting. Weight loss varies based on how well you follow dietary advice. Some studies suggest that you can expect to lose approximately 35 percent of your excess body weight with the gastric balloon in six months. By contrast, people tend to lose approximately 50 percent with lap band surgery and 65 percent with gastric bypass.

Risks: All surgical procedures represent risks, in case of Gastic Balloon, the complication rate is very minimal.

Does the package price of the balloon include adjustment and removal?: No, If you have the Orbera you dont need adjustments and just have to pay removal $1200 at the end of its 6 month life. If you are having the Spatz Balloon performed, you’ll need a fill adjustment in six months with a of $1200 and after the other 6 months you’ll need it removed and the cost is $1200 at that time.

Is the procedure done under full anestesia?: Yes.

Is the Double Balloon offered in Mexico?: Unfortunately the double balloon is not yet distributed in Mexico.

What are the Balloons offered?: Our surgeons perform the Orbera Balloon which lasts upto 6 months and the Spatz which lasts up to a year.

What type of sedation is administered?: The surgeons either can do an IV Sedation which the patient is partially awake and relaxed or full anesthesia. Its up to the patient.