The Obalon Balloon System
The Obalon Balloon System
What is The Obalon Balloon System?
The Obalon Balloon System is a temporary intragastric balloon system indicated for adults confirmed to be obese (BMI of 30-40 kg/m2) and who have not been able to lose weight through the traditional methods of diet and exercise. This three balloon system is designed to accompany a moderate change in the patient’s diet and behavior program. After 6 months, the balloons are removed. (See the video below to see how Obalon works.)
During the treatment period, the balloons take up space in the patient’s stomach, which helps them eat less. Combined with professional nutrition and exercise support, The Obalon Balloon System helps change the patient’s eating habits and lifestyle to promote continued weight loss.
Benefits of this non-surgical balloon system trio are:
- Jump Starting Weight Loss: Studies report that twice as much weight is lost when using the Obalon Intragastric Balloon System than by diet and exercise alone, and after six months an average of 89% weight loss was kept off with a medium intensity diet and exercise plan.
- No Downtime: The procedure can be done over a patient’s lunch hour and there is no down time. The placement usually takes less than 10 minutes with no surgery or anesthesia.
- Fully Reversible: After 6 months, the balloons are removed. No alterations have been made to the stomach or intestines and there are no bands that need to be left in place.
How is The Obalon Intragastric Balloon Inserted and Removed?
The procedure is done in a physician’s office, where the patient swallows a vitamin-pill sized capsule which is attached to a micro-catheter. The doctor monitors the pill’s progress on an X-Ray and will know when it is safely in place. The capsule dissolves, and the balloon is filled with gas. That’s it! Once the physician gives the OK, the patient is released to return to the day’s activities.
To minimize any potential side effects, the two additional balloons are inserted over the next three months, each one in the same manner. The balloons float in the stomach to help create a feeling of fullness, so it is important to drink a lot of water to ensure their effectiveness. Your physician and team will provide guidance for proper hydration, diet, and exercise to get the best results possible.
At the end of 6 months, all three balloons are deflated and removed using an endoscopy procedure. The patient is midly sedated and remains conscious; the removal process usually takes around 15 minutes.
The Bariatric Experts offers The Obalon Balloon System
Interested in learning more? Contact The Bariatric Experts for a consultation and find out how you can achieve your weight loss goals – without surgery! Call us at 940-577-2090 or follow this link to request an appointment.
*Results may vary
