Can you eat anything and how much weight will you lose?
Half of the Dutch are too fat and a large number of them would like to lose weight. A gastric balloon seems an ideal solution. But is that true? Is it easy to lose weight with a gastric balloon? Is such a thing permanent? And can you still eat anything with a gastric balloon? Six frequently asked questions answered.
About half of the Dutch (41 percent) are overweight, the Central Bureau of Statistics recently reported. A 5% weight loss can already lead to a reduction in health problems, the same organization headlined. A gastric balloon seems to be an easy way to reach your target weight. But is that true?
1. What is a gastric balloon?
A gastric balloon is a soft silicone balloon that is placed in the stomach through the mouth and esophagus. This gives a feeling of fullness, making it easier to limit food intake and to learn a new diet. Compared to other means, the gastric balloon is an extremely safe method to reduce stomach contents quickly and drastically. There is no surgery involved.
2. Is a gastric balloon forever?
New. A gastric balloon is basically a temporary solution to facilitate weight loss. Such a gastric balloon is designed to remain in the stomach for 6 months. The stomach acid then attacks the gastric balloon in such a way that it breaks. If a gastric balloon leaks, you will immediately notice the greenish color that the urine gets. In theory, the ruptured balloon could leave the body naturally, but for safety reasons it is better to have a gastric balloon removed by the doctor. This is quite easy.
The advantage of a gastric balloon compared to other treatments such as a gastric band or gastric reduction is that placing a gastric balloon is not a surgical treatment and the gastric balloon is eventually removed again. The disadvantage is that it is of course difficult to maintain the new weight afterwards. Drastic changes in lifestyle and diet are necessary.
3. How is a gastric balloon placed?
A gastric balloon is placed by a gastrointestinal, liver, or internist. The still-empty balloon is attached to a soft tube that is passed through your mouth into the stomach through an endoscopy. It is then filled with a saline solution (up to 500cc). This makes the gastric balloon big enough to make you feel full. The tube is then removed from the mouth leaving the inflated balloon in the stomach. The gastric balloon then floats in the stomach and not only provides a feeling of fullness there, but also slows down the transport of food from the esophagus to the stomach.
Placing the gastric balloon is done on an outpatient basis, under a sedative, and takes about 30 minutes. You may feel a little nauseous after placement. Driving home after the treatment is not recommended.
The first three days after gastric balloon placement are difficult. Cramping, nausea and vomiting are normal. It is very important that you follow the doctor’s instructions and drink plenty of fluids. Medicines are available to relieve the pain. You should not plan any strenuous activities for the first week after placement. You can then resume your normal activities. Movement is recommended.
4. Can I eat anything with a gastric balloon?
Unfortunately. For a lasting result, the gastric balloon alone is not enough. The guidance, which ideally consists of a combination of a dietician, exercise coach and a psychologist, is of great importance for permanent weight loss. In addition to nutritional advice and an exercise plan that fits into daily life, help from a psychologist is at least as important. The urge to overeat is not treated through a diet and it is a challenge to permanently adjust one’s own behavior. A combination of the above specialists provides the best long-term results.
The gastric balloon is therefore part of a larger treatment plan, including the advice of a dietician who will guide you during these 6 months. You can’t and shouldn’t eat as much as you used to. In addition, nausea occurs if you eat or snack on fat. Alcohol is allowed in moderation.
5. How many pounds will you lose with a gastric balloon?
The average weight loss with a gastric balloon is about four kilos per week, if you follow the rules of life. As mentioned, treatment with the gastric balloon is only effective in combination with an adapted diet and sufficient exercise. However, experience shows that in most cases it is possible to keep the weight stable after removal of the gastric balloon; after all, you have had six months to learn a new eating and living pattern.
6. Who is eligible for a gastric balloon?
The gastric balloon is suitable for people who have already tried everything to lose weight but have gained even more (the so-called Yoyo effect). The gastric balloon is also suitable for people who are extremely overweight who do not want to opt for surgery. You are eligible if you are overweight in fat of more than 15-20 kilos.
