Weight loss surgery

 

Gastric Balloon via endoscop

What is the Balloon and how does it work?

The intragastric balloon, which has been available since the 1980s is designed to provide short–term weight loss therapy. The silicone balloon is placed endoscopically (through the mouth and oesophagus under heavy sedation without surgery) and filled with liquid so it partially fills your stomach and creates a feeling of fullness, encouraging a change in dietary habits. An increasing number of surgeons are now using it, and medical results published and presented to date are very positive, showing the excess weight loss after a balloon can be between 25 and 44%. Average weight loss during the period the balloon is in place has been recorded at between 18-23 kg (max.35-40kg), but can be lower or higher.  Dr. David will perform this procedure for you as an outpatient in the Clinic in Limasol. You will be returned to your hotel the same day.

The balloon is filled with 500-700 cc of blue-coloured saline solution, causing it to expand into a spherical shape.There is a rare need for a general anaesthetic, or overnight hospitalisation. An intravenous sedation is given, and then an anaesthetic spray into the mouth and throat allows the BIB to be placed in the stomach after the necessary examinations. The procedure takes only about 20 - 30 minutes and you will then stay in the Clinic for a short period of observation, checked regularly by the medical team. The use of the BIB is limited to a maximum of 6 months, and then it has to be emptied and removed endoscopically.

After having the balloon fitted, the first few days are uncomfortable and unpleasant for most candidates  until your stomach gets used to the presence of the balloon. You are likely to experience nausea, vomiting, a bloated feeling, and cramping until your body adjusts. These conditions are normal and should be expected initially. These symptoms vary in their intensity and usually disappear within a few days. Anti-emetics, PPI drugs (2-4 weeks’supply) and painkillers will be provided for you at the clinic.

Dr David will advise you on your diet for the first few days and monitor your progress until you leave Cyprus.

In the unlikely event that he balloon should be accidentally damaged in the stomach, it can be instantly spotted. Although damage is extremely unlikely, should liquid escape from the balloon, it will colour your urine blue. You can recognize this very quickly, and can immediately contact the doctor. (An empty balloon can, potentially, pass through the stomach into the bowels, and cause a blockage. The early detection of leakage from a blue saline filled balloon would allow the doctor to resolve the situation by removing the balloon and prevent a possible serious complication.)

Like other weight loss surgeries, the balloon is simply a tool and works best when you use it properly, following a low calorie diet and maintaining close contact with the health professional team during the time the balloon is in place. By having the Balloon inserted you can expect to achieve significant weight loss in the first six months, although the amount of weight you lose and how long you maintain that weight loss will depend to a very large extent on how well you make the long-term changes related to eating and exercise. The BIB system can help you break unhealthy habits and start to make these changes.

Am I a suitable candidate for the BIB Balloon?

We believe you would be most likely to benefit from the balloon if:

• Your BMI is not high enough to qualify for Obesity Surgery under the criteria set by IFSO (International Federation for Surgery of Obesity), yet you have been unable to achieve or maintain sufficient weight loss by other methods (e.g. through a long-term supervised weight-loss program -diet, behaviour, exercise- designed to increase the possibility of long-term weight-loss maintenance). Our minimum BMI for balloon procedures is 30.
• You are between the ages of 18 & 60

• You have a BMI of 40 and above (or 35 with co morbidities) but your state of health will not allow you to undergo an operation under general anaesthetic.
• You are extremely obese (a BMI above 50) where the balloon will be fitted to allow you to lose some weight in preparation for a bariatric operation later.
  
• You are afraid of having done bariatric surgery because of the possible complications.
  
• Please note: You will be unlikely to be suitable for the Balloon if you have previously undergone gastric or any other upper abdominal surgery, as this would cause the placement of the balloon to become a health risk to you.
• Please check your B.M.I.:

Body Mass Index

How do we measure obesity? Body fat index (BMI) is a good indicator, because it correlates pretty well with the amount of body fat a person has. BMI is a formula that calculates the ratio between height and weight:

• Measuring using pounds and inches:
  (pounds of weight / [inches of height]²) x 703
  For example, if your weight is 170 lbs. and your height is 5'6" (66"), then the calculation is: (170 ÷ 66²) x 703 = 27.4
• Measuring using kilograms and meters:
  kilograms of weight / meters of height²
  For example, if your weight is 75 kg and your height is 162 cm (1.62 m), then the calculation is: 75 ÷ 1.62² = 28.6

The body mass index range for adults 20 and over is shown here:

BMI	Weight Status
Below 18.5	Underweight
18.5 - 24.9	Normal
25.0 - 29.9	Overweight
30.0 and above	Obese

What risks and possible complications are there in having a BIB Balloon?

The balloon is generally a safe and simple procedure, involving no surgical operation.

A relatively small percentage of candidates find they are intolerant to the balloon, and in these cases we will arrange for its early removal.

The incidence of complications such as gastric perforation is extremely rare in patients who have had no previous gastric surgery.

Damage to the balloon whilst it is in place in the stomach is again extremely rare, and can be easily detected by a change in the urine colour, due to the colourant in the saline used to fill the balloon.