Intra-Gastric Balloon
Gastric Balloon in Arcadia, CA & Los Angeles, CA
If you are struggling to lose weight, you certainly aren’t alone. We understand just how discouraging this can be, especially when you are eating right and exercising regularly. When individuals feel frustrated by their weight, they often turn to our board-certified gastroenterologist Dr. Portocarrero to discuss options. If you’re looking for a completely non-invasive way to help you lose weight then the gastric balloon may be right for you.
How the Gastric Balloon Works
Instead of removing a portion of the stomach, we will place an intragastric balloon into the stomach to reduce food intake and to help you lose weight. The gastric balloon is a temporary device, remaining in the stomach for about six months before it is removed (sometimes the balloon is replaced with a new one, but not always). The procedure itself is performed under sedation and only takes about 30 minutes. Patients can go home a couple of hours after their procedure.
The Benefits of the Gastric Balloon
One of the biggest benefits is that like other endoscopic bariatric treatments, this procedure can also lower your risk for obesity-related health conditions including heart disease, GERD, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes and fatty liver. It also provides hope for those dealing with severe obesity who are struggling to lose weight. The gastric balloon is a wonderful bariatric treatment option because it doesn’t require medications, fad diets, or surgery, plus it’s reversible.
Candidates for the Gastric Balloon in Arcadia, CA & Los Angeles, CA
Most patients consider the gastric balloon or other weight loss procedures after they’ve tried to lose weight through diet and exercise. When these habits alone haven’t helped, the gastric balloon can finally provide you with the weight loss results you’ve been looking for. The ideal candidate for a gastric balloon has a BMI between 28-40, is ready to commit to lifelong changes to their diet and lifestyle, and hasn’t had any previous stomach surgeries. An evaluation with our gastroenterologist will determine if the gastric balloon is right for you. For full safety information, download the Orbera Patient Information Booklet.