Gastric Balloon in Mexico

For patients who are not set on undergoing bariatric surgery, there are many options a patient could take that can help them lose weight – Endobariatrics. The goal of Endobariatrics is to fill the gap between surgery and pharmacotherapy/diet & exercise. The Intragastric Balloon Weight Management System is one of the ways and is the same primary principle of bariatric surgeries.

Inflating a balloon in the stomach is to make people feel full and create restriction as you would find in the gastric sleeve and gastric banding. Presence of the balloon in the stomach also delays the food discharge and patient stays full longer.

Intragastric balloon, also called tummy balloon or belly balloon, is typically part of a structured program, with diet and exercise. There are several leading intragastric balloons:

• ORBERA® Managed Weight Loss System – made by Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. (FDA-Approved)
• Spatz3 Adjustable Balloon System (COFEPRIS-Approved)
• ReShape Duo Balloon System (FDA-Approved)
• Obalon® Intragastric Balloon System (just received FDA Approval)

Balloon Comparison:
– Orbera vs. ReShape Duo vs. Spatz
– Gastric Balloon vs. Obalon

Apollo’s Orbera balloon is the leading and most widely used device. The Spatz3 balloon is the only balloon that can be adjusted (normally after 3 months to 750 ml – leaves stomach size similar to gastric sleeve) and can stay in the stomach as long as 1 year. The Obalon device can be placed 3 (each one is 250 ml) at a time.Currently, Mexico Bariatric Center offers the two leading intragastric balloons with a proven track record: Orbera and the Spatz3. MBC is the only company that offers stay at the hospital for patients to be cared and monitored after the procedure.

The Gastric Balloon Procedure is:

• Non-surgical: The balloon is inserted orally into your stomach in a fast and efficient manner.
• Non-invasive: This procedure requires such mild work that many can go home the same day.
• Temporary: The balloon only remains within the stomach for 6 months (one year for Spatz) before removal.

How Does the Gastric Balloon Work?

The Intragastric Balloon, or the Gastric Balloon, is a non-surgical procedure that places a balloon in the stomach, and then is inflated. The process begins by inserting a deflated soft, silicone balloon through the mouth, placing the deflated balloon inside the stomach. Then the balloon is inflated with air or liquid to a volume of about 500 ml, and thus reduces a patient’s stomach capacity (about 1000 ml). This restrictive technique which provides a smaller stomach capacity allowing patients to feel fuller faster – helping them reduce their caloric intake. The procedure itself takes no more than 30 minutes and can be in place for three to six months (up to year in case of Spatz).

Who Is a Candidate for Intragastric Balloon?

Intragastric balloon is an especially attractive option because of its lower BMI requirement. With bariatric surgeries, many surgeons require patients to have body mass indexes (BMIs) of 35 or even 40. With the gastric balloon patients, can undergo the procedure with a BMI of only 27. This means that more patients may be suitable candidates for this procedure.

Sometimes bariatric surgeons require bariatric surgery prospects with high BMIs to lose weight, thus reducing risks and potential complications while undergoing bariatric surgery. Patients who need to lose a significant amount of weight before certain bariatric procedures jump-start the process with intragastric balloon. Then when the physician is satisfied with the weight lost, they can remove the balloon and proceed with a more aggressive procedure.