Gastric balloon

Yes, it is intended to be an endoscopic day case procedure. As soon as your nursing team are happy for you to be discharged, you will be able to go home. This is almost always the same day.

A melon sized balloon is inserted into the stomach to restrict the space inside. Prior to insertion, the deflated balloon is attached to a long, thin tube with a camera on the end, called an endoscope. The endoscope is passed down your throat to your stomach. Before the balloon is inserted, the gullet into your stomach is checked to ensure there are no medical conditions that mean you can’t have a gastric balloon inserted.

The deflated balloon is then inflated with a liquid coloured with blue dye. A final check with the endoscope is done before detaching the balloon to sit in the stomach.

The procedure can be performed under sedation without the need for a general anesthetic.

After 6 months to one year, the balloon is removed using an endoscope.

A gastric balloon is similar to a gastric band because it restricts the space inside your stomach causing you to feel full after eating a small amount of food.

A gastric balloon procedure is designed to help you take control of your food cravings, by restricting your appetite. This will give you more freedom to develop healthy eating habits for a long-term healthy lifestyle.

The first few days after your procedure you will have fluids only and will be encouraged to drink lots. You will then be able to eat soft foods such as yoghurt or blended meat and vegetables.

A couple of weeks later you will be able to return to a normal diet. However, the success of a gastric balloon will depend on how balanced your diet is so you should avoid sugar and eat nutritional, healthy food for optimum weight loss. Our dietitian will be able to provide excellent aftercare to help you in your journey.

As with any surgery, there are some risks. This particular procedure carries the same risk as other endoscopy treatments such as bleeding or perforation. There is a rare risk of balloon rupture which would lead to blue dye escaping and colouring your urine blue/ green. Whilst the dye is harmless, if this occurs, the balloon needs to be removed to avoid possible bowel obstruction. Other risks of a balloon include inflammation of the gullet, ulcers, pancreatitis and failure to lose weight or weight regain.

It is not uncommon to feel slightly sick in the first few days after your procedure . If this persists and leads to intolerance then the balloon may need to be removed.

Your consultant will discuss all of the possible complications, side effects and other things to consider before you decide to have gastric balloon surgery.