Intra-gastric balloon insertion is an endoscopic procedure for weight loss. It is a non-surgical, reversible method which is commonly being used for patients suffering with grade 1 or 2 obesity. This procedure is recommended for patients who have tried to lose weight with diet and lifestyle intervention but have not been able to achieve adequate weight loss. Sometimes a balloon is also recommended for patients who are medically unfit for bariatric surgery.
As the name suggests, intra-gastric balloon insertion in Kolkata is performed through endoscopy. The patient is sedated. After this an endoscope is passed through the mouth into the stomach. A diagnostic endoscopy is performed after which a silicon balloon is inserted into the stomach. The balloon is then inflated with saline.
There are mainly two types of intra-gastric balloons that are currently available in India. The non-adjustable balloon is a one-time insertion. As the name suggests, no adjustment is possible after insertion. The OrberaTM balloon is an example of a non-adjustable balloon. The adjustable balloon has an option for filling or removing saline from the balloon. This type can be kept inside for 1 year.
The balloon basically occupies space in the stomach and reduces food intake. Patients eat less and feel full earlier. Depending on the type of balloon, it can be kept inside for a period of 6 to 12 months. After this the balloon needs to be removed.
After an intra-gastric balloon insertion, patients lose about 10 to 20 kg of weight. It can be more or less depending on the effort that the patient puts in addition. Weight loss results as well as weight maintenance are better in patients who embrace lifestyle modification after this procedure. A healthy diet and an hour of daily exercise goes a long way in maintaining a good weight.
An intra-gastric balloon insertion leads to significant improvement in diseases associated with obesity. There is a marked improvement in type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, uric acid levels, PCOD, joint pains, sleep apnoea, fatty liver and other diseases. There is a significant decrease in the number of medications that the patients were on earlier. Weight loss also leads to improved confidence. In general, the quality of life is much better after any kind of weight loss procedure.
Once you decide to undergo balloon insertion, you will need to undergo investigations. These include blood tests and radiological tests. A sleep study will be done if you have symptoms of sleep apnoea. A physician fitness and anaesthesia fitness will be done after your investigations are done. 2 days before the procedure, you will be started on a liquid diet.
This is a day care procedure and you can go home after a few hours of the procedure.
You will be started on oral liquids after a few hours. You will be on liquids orally for the first 7 days, followed by semi-solids for another 7 days. You can join work after a week of surgery.
Intra-gastric balloon insertion is a safe procedure. You will experience nausea and vomiting for a week to ten days after this procedure. During this phase you will be given some medications to keep these issues in check. Rarely you may need to get intra-venous hydration if the nausea and vomiting is too severe. Balloons can also leak some times. Usually they are filled with methylene blue stained saline. If they leak, patients usually tend to pass blue coloured urine. In that scenario an endoscopy is recommended and the balloon needs to be removed.
Our center is Park-view hospital which is situated in Salt-Lake city in Kolkata. The cost of Intra-gastric balloon insertion in Kolkata is very affordable here and depends on the type of balloon that is inserted.
Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker is an accomplished Bariatric Surgeon and Laparoscopic GI Surgeon. Extremely passionate about her field of specialization. She completed her MBBS and MS in General Surgery in 2006, from Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS), Sewagram. Set up in 1967 by none other than the first health minister of India, Ms. Sushila Nayar, MGIMS is deeply rooted in Gandhian ethics. Read more