Steps of the intervention

Consultations before the gastric balloon procedure

1. Gastroenterology consultation

   It allows to confirm weither the gastric balloon is a fit for your case. The doctor will inform you about the next steps.

   You should ask all the questions you consider. You must evaluate with the doctor all the advantages of the balloon regarding the potentials risks.

   A written document will be given by your doctor. You can discuss about it with him before you sign the informed consent.

2. Dietetic consultation

   Gastric balloon is an efficient help to lose weight if associated with a diet and behavorial follow-up with health professionals to modify your dietetic habits.

   Cooking lessons can be possible if you need help to change your nutritional habits.

3. Psychological consultation

   Your gastroenterologist will evaluate if a particular consultation is more suited.

   If you have an unbalanced nutritional behavior caused by psychological issues, you can seek help if you want by a psychologist or a psychiatrist.

4. Anesthesia consultation

   It is mandatory before any anesthesia, even ambulatory.

   You have to inform the doctor of any medication you are taking and if you have any known allergies.

   If there is’nt any contra-indication, you can then take an appointment for the procedure.

   A written document will be given to you by the gastroenterologist and anesthetist. You can discuss it with them before signing your consent.

What is the pose of the gastric balloon about ?

1. Preparation and removal of the balloon

   The gastric balloon is made of an elastomer of silicone or polyurethane.

   It is flexible and malleable. It is introduced in the mouth and brought down in the esophagus while isn’t inflated.

   The inflated balloon is coated with a local anesthetic, to ease the passing of the throat .

2. Filling of the balloon

   When the balloon is in the stomach, it is filled weither with a sterile blue saline solution or with air, with the help of the catheter fixed to the balloon.

3. Release of the gastric balloon

   When the balloon if filled, the doctor pulls slowly on the intern extremity of the catheter to pull it out.

   The balloon is equipped with an auto closing caps, which prevent any leak of liquid or air. The balloon is free floating in the stomach.

This part last for about 20 minutes.

You will be monitored at the clinic for a few hours. You can also be hospitalized for the first night or go home with someone.

See the video of the procedure

After the pose of the gastric balloon, you have a follow up

1. Nutritional monitoring

   The first consultation is planned for the following weeks.

   The nutritional and behavioral care is the key element to lose weight and not regaining it after the removal of the balloon. We are talking about a monthly consultation.

   The importance of losing weight is in correlation with the number of consultations. A regular follow up is realize with a nutritionist, a dietician, or by videoconference with MethodCO which ease you to adapt the follow-up in your planning.

2. Physical activity

   Having a regular physical activity adapted to your physical condition, medical issues if necessary and your liking is as important as a nutritional balance to reach your goal of losing weight sustainably.

   A team of physical educators car help you and also with videoconference.

3. Medical follow up

   Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and gastro-oesophageal acid reflux are common during the days following the procedure.

   Your gastroenterologist will have prescribed dietary recommendations and medications to reduce these effects. A special leave of a few days is prescribed, and a short hospitalization is possible.

   In case of abdominal pain and/or persistent vomiting despite the treatment prescribed by your gastroenterologist, you have to contact on emergency his office or the Trocadéro Clinic.

   An abdominal X-ray, abdominal ultrasound or CT scan may be indicated.

   Regular consultations after the pose will be scheduled with your gastroenterologist.

   Before removal of the gastric balloon, your doctor will explain the diet to follow to avoid residues in the stomach that could interfere with the technical act.

The use of your gastric balloon is 4 months, 6 months or one year

• IT IS IMPORTANT TO RESPECT THE DURATION OF USE OF GASTRIC BALLOONS

  After a long time, the balloon can deflate, leave the stomach and go into the gut. There is a risk of intestinal obstruction if it is blocked in the gut. An emergency non-surgical intervention can be necessary to remove it.

  Keeping the balloon in the stomach for too long does not allow you to lose more weight, or to avoid gaining weight. The stomach as adapted to the balloon and is no longer helping to give you a feeling of satiety.

  With the behavioral and nutritional management and the physical activity that was carried out after the removal of the balloon, the modification of the feeding behavior makes it possible to not regain weight.

• After removal of the balloon, nutritional and behavioral follow up must be maintained

  A weight problem that has been installed for many years, can’t be solved in a few months.

  The balloon is an effective starter. Nutritional and behavioral management is the key element to prevent weight gain.

Gastric balloons are removed by oesophage and mouth whithout surgical intervention

1. Removal under ambulatory anesthesia

   The removal is performed under general ambulatory anesthesia, with intubation and under endoscopic control.

   This procedure last for about 15 minutes. The patient can leave the clinic 2h30 after the procedure.

2. Intervention of the gastroenterologist

   The gastroenterologist sets up the gastric endoscope in the stomach.

   He pierces the balloon, vacuums the liquid inside the balloon, grasps the deflated balloon and extract it thought the esophagus and then into the month.