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Intragastric Balloon
The Intragastric Balloon System is a non-surgical aid for the treatment of obesity. In conjunction with a supervised diet and behaviour modification program, it can help you achieve the health and aesthetic benefits associated with weight loss.
The Intragastric Balloon System is a soft, expandable balloon orally inserted into the stomach. Once inserted in the stomach, the empty balloon is filled with sterile saline (salt water) and the filling system and placement tube are detached and removed. When full, the balloon is too large to pass into the bowel and will now float freely in the stomach.
The Intragastric Balloon System is designed to act as a mechanical aid to early satiety or fullness which makes compliance with a supervised diet and behavior modification program more effective. The balloon partially fills the stomach and patients report that they have a feeling of fullness after eating a much smaller portion of food. The emptying of food from the stomach is delayed which acts to prolong the feeling of satiety between meals. There is no change to the digestion or absorption of nutrients and no need for special nutritional supplements.
The Intragastric Balloon System can be left in the stomach for six months before it has to be removed. Longer periods of use are not recommended because over time the acidic content of the stomach will weaken the balloon material and cause the balloon to deflate. Should the physician recommend use of the balloon for longer than six months, it is necessary that the balloon be replaced with a new one when the six-month interval has been met.
The amount of weight lost will depend on how well patients are able to work with the balloon to reduce portion size and achieve early satiety. How long patients maintain the weight loss will depend on how successfully they adopt long-term lifestyle changes involving eating behavior and exercise.
Useful links:
www.gastricballoon.ca
Website of The Surgical Weight Loss Centre, a leading Canadian centre of excellence providing surgical weight loss options
www.orberasystem.ca
Website of Allergan Canada, manufacturers of the Gastric Balloon
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