Who is suitable for an intragastric balloon, and what happens during the procedure?

Doctor's Answers 1

Hi there, an intragastric balloon is a short-term, non-surgical weight loss tool.

It's really a soft silicon balloon that's temporarily inserted into your stomach, typically over a period of 6 months, which partially fills ups your stomach and makes you feel more full after eating.

It's a popular option amongst patients whose BMI is not high enough to justify bariatric surgery.

Intragastric balloon Singapore

After the gastric balloon is removed, you must be committed to continuing on with a supervised gastric balloon diet and modified lifestyle that will help you maintain the weight loss.

A gastric balloon is recommended for patients who:

  • have a BMI of 27 to 35
  • are prepared to make long term changes to your diet and lifestyle
  • want a non-surgical treatment option for weight loss

What happens during the procedure?

The entire procedure takes just 15 minutes. In Singapore, it's performed under a mild sedative usually.

Your doctor will insert a deflated gastric balloon through your mouth and into your stomach using a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera.

The balloon is then filled with saline. After 6 months, the balloon is deflated and removed the same way it was inserted.

Recovery

You can go home the same day of your procedure and continue with your normal daily activities without any downtime.

After your gastric balloon insertion, you’ll have fluids only for a few days. You can then progress on to soft foods.

Side effects and risks

You may experience the following

  • Abdominal discomfort for 2 - 5 days
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Bloating

As with any other procedure, there is also always a small risk of bleeding and infection, so do discuss this with your doctor!

Similar Questions

How effective is an intragastric balloon for weight loss?

Intragastric balloon is an effective option for weight management especially if diet and exercise alone does not work well. It involves a balloon being inserted into the stomach after a gastroscopy. The concept is simple. The balloon being in the stomach fills up space and makes the person constantly feel full. This will send signals to the brain indicating that there is no need to consume any more food. With this reduced food intake, the number of calories absorbed in the body is less. Therefore, the raw weight will decrease.

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How much fat can liposuction remove, and how does this translate to weight loss?

I actually advise my patients against liposuction for the purpose of weight loss. I believe dietary and lifestyle modifications will give you more joy in the long term. Addressing this usually takes up a lot of time in the consultation but I find it worth the while. Large volumes can be removed safely with the right preparation and medical care during and after the surgery, but as a guide liposuctioning more than 2 litres of supernatant fat requires a stay in hospital. Hope this is useful.

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