If you have tried every diet and weight-loss programme without success, but would rather avoid weight loss surgery, the gastric balloon may be the option for you.
Many people have tried a wide variety of diets and weight-loss programmes without success, but are not willing to consider a surgical intervention. If you are one of these people, you are probably feeling trapped. You don’t want to go on doing what you have always done – because it doesn’t work – but you feel you need a “kick start” which doesn’t involve surgery. If you find yourself in this position, the gastric balloon may be a safe and effective option for you.
There are three groups of patients who may benefit from the BIB.
1) BMI 28-30 Kg/m2
Many people have attempted to lose weight on conventional diets without success. If you are in this group and your BMI is only 28-30kg/m2 (calculate your BMI) you are not suitable for surgical treatment with a gastric band or bypass. However, the BIB™ may be an excellent alternative. In practical terms it lies midway between a conventional weight-loss programme and a true surgical intervention. It is clearly something more than a diet, but at the same time it falls well short of being a weight loss surgical procedure. It facilitates rapid weight loss safely and effectively, without the risk of general anaesthesia.
2) BMI greater than 30kg/m2
If you have a BMI above 30 kg/m2 and you have decided against the usual surgical options for which you may be eligible (gastric band, bypass etc), the BIB™ may be an acceptable and effective alternative. So if you definitely don’t want surgery but have reached the point where standard approaches to weight loss just don’t work, a gastric balloon might be the next step.
3) BMI greater than 50kg/m2 and/or co-morbidities
If you have a major weight problem with a BMI above 50 kg/m2 and/or medical problems such as diabetes, heart and lung problems etc, you may not be suitable for standard weight-loss surgical procedures which involve general anaesthesia. In this case a BIB™ may be a safe and effective first option. Losing weight with the gastric balloon will improve your physical functioning and reduce your anaesthetic risks, so that if you do then decide to go ahead and have a gastric band or a gastric bypass, the operative risks will be much less.
When is a gastric balloon not suitable?
In some cases a gastric balloon is not a suitable option due to a current or past medical or surgical condition, or because of long-term treatment with certain classes of drugs. The following list is not comprehensive, but lists the most important potential contra-indications.
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A large hiatus hernia
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Previous anti-obesity surgery such as gastric banding or bypass
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Previous upper gastrointestinal surgery of any kind
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Strictures (narrowing) of the oesophagus (gullet)
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Inflammatory disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract
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Currently under treatment for cancer
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Conditions or drugs that predispose you to bleeding
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Long-term treatment with certain drugs, such as aspirin and non-steroidal
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Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
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Long term steroid therapy
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Severe heart, kidney, liver or lung disease.
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Certain psychiatric disorders
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History of alcoholism or drug addiction
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Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding
If you have any of the above or some other condition, please telephone Healthier Weight on 0800 073 1146 for more guidance.
