Without surgery and without medication, you can lose up to 30 kilos in just 6 months and without going through the operating room.
More than 60,000 people have used this medical treatment, achieving an average weight reduction that varies, according to each case, around 20 kilos, after the 6 months after the treatment. Some have even lost more than 30 kilos of weight.
Indicated for people who have failed with other Methods.
The Intragastric Balloon technique is indicated for people, men or women, who need to lose more than 10 kilos. It is also indicated for those patients who have failed with other diets, since the Intragastric Balloon does not allow excesses, because during the treatment the stomach does not tolerate them, "forcing" the patient to eat moderately.
In just 20 minutes, without surgery.
The procedure consists of introducing a silicone balloon into the stomach, orally, without any surgery. The endoscopist doctor takes the deflated balloon to the stomach, subsequently, the balloon is filled with physiological serum until it reaches a sufficient volume to produce a state of permanent satiety.
It is a quick process that lasts about 20 minutes, in addition, its withdrawal after 6 months is just as simple.
The balloon remains lodged in the stomach for 6 months in which the patient leads an absolutely normal life.
The difference is that when you sit down to eat, you will not have the feeling of appetite and with little food intake you will find yourself satiated.
Here lies the success of this treatment, since being satiated reduces food intake and reducing intake reduces the excess kilos and damages the patient's health.
The patient receives medical and technical support that stimulates and helps him, monitoring his daily diet so that his diet is rich and without deficiencies. The greater effort of the medical team is directed towards the nutritional education of the patient to get him to modify his nutritional habits improving his health and his quality of life.
How to adjust the Intragastric Balloon
Immediately after placement of the Intragastric Balloon: It is very important to follow the instructions you received during the adjustment period.
The first days will be uncomfortable as the stomach gets used to the presence of the balloon. You may feel nauseous, vomiting, tympanic, diarrhea, and cramping until the body gets used to it. These conditions are normal and should be anticipated.
In the first days, your doctor will be available by phone. Your doctor will give you strict instructions for your hydration regimen during this period. It is crucial that you drink plenty of water during the first few days and avoid all solid foods. Your first meeting with the doctor will be 3 days after the placement of the Intragastric Balloon.
You will have a liquid diet during the first three days, which could include the following: Juices, Milk, Clear Soups or Broths, Jellies.
The following should be avoided: Coffee, carbonated drinks, fatty foods, chocolate, ice cream.
Things to remember
A doctor will be at your disposal 24 hours a day to attend to any reaction or difficulties you may feel.
Do not engage in any physical activity during the first 24 hours.
Drink cold liquids in small amounts, starting with a teaspoon of tea and slowly increasing the amount of liquid as you can. If the amount of fluid is large there is a greater risk of nausea and vomiting.
During the period when the Intragastric Balloon is implanting, be careful to observe and report any unusual changes you feel. If you have nausea beyond the first few days, tell your doctor immediately.
Transition to solid foods
After a few days on a liquid diet, you will be ready to begin the transition to solid foods. Before solid foods, it will pass to semi-solids. The speed with which you make this transition will depend on your progress and the degree of tolerance of your body to fluids. It is important to transition slowly and not try to hasten the adjustment process.
Some of the foods that the doctor can prescribe at this time are oatmeal flakes, thicker soups, fruit purees.
We will give you instructions on your initial nutrition regimen with solid foods with caloric restrictions. This initial prescription can be modified by the doctor during subsequent meetings.
After the first two weeks, your body will have adapted the Intragastric Balloon and will be eating normal foods according to the nutrition plan prescribed by the doctor.
How to adapt to your new program
The next six months will be an important period for change: not only will you lose weight, but you will learn to prevent the weight from coming back. This period offers you an opportunity to change and, with the help of the Intragastric Balloon, establish a basis for a healthier life.
Regular meetings with your doctor will begin at this time. This will play an important role in assessing your needs and in advising you to create a customized program. Your meeting schedule will be decided jointly with your doctor, but you will most likely meet with him biweekly. It is crucial that you attend all follow-up meetings.
Your success with the Intragastric Balloon Program will depend on your ability to learn from the doctor and integrate the principles of good health into your daily life.
Remember that the Intragastric Balloon is only an "aid for changing habits." Like the wheels to learn to ride a bike. The Intragastric Balloon offers you an opportunity to adopt the changes you must make in your lifestyle in order to maintain your weight loss.
The following guidelines will help you be more successful:
- Meet regularly with the doctor to stay motivated and committed to the program.
- Experience shows that those who attend scheduled follow-up meetings get the best results in the short and long term.
- Keep a diary of what you eat and how much exercise you do.
- Make your new nutrition plan a lasting change in your lifestyle.
Your educational program
Your doctor will prepare an educational program tailored to your needs, and based on proven principles of health and nutrition. Attendance at meetings, learning the principles and putting them into practice immediately is extremely important for the success of your Intragastric Balloon Program.
During regularly scheduled meetings with the doctor, you will learn and examine various topics, such as nutrition, eating behaviors, exercises, hidden fats, meal planning, information on food labels.
We will provide you with some printed materials on these topics for you to study and save for future reference.
Tips to succeed:
- Keep a diary of your daily activities and your eating habits to track your progress and identify the areas that need to be adapted.
- Keep a calendar of meetings with the doctor so you can plan your activities and not miss meetings.
Your nutrition plan
The success of losing weight does not only lie in eating less. It also resides in eating the right things, at the right times. The doctor will help you understand the principles of good nutrition and adjust your eating habits to make healthy choices.
Below are some general guidelines for eating with the Intragastric Balloon.
- Eat regular meals, which include 3 main meals and a few mid-morning snacks and a mid-afternoon snack.
- It is recommended that the evening meal not be made too late and wait at least 2 hours before bedtime.
- Drink at least 1.5 liters of water a day. Limit fluid intake during meals.
- Eat slowly and chew carefully.
- Avoid products that contain simple carbohydrates (chocolates, honey jelly, ice cream, cakes, candies, nuts, dates, raisins, plums, raisins, etc.)
- Participate in physical activities according to your abilities. (swimming, cycling, fast walking, etc.).
- Avoid drinks that contain caffeine and carbonated drinks.
- Exclude hard-to-differ foods based on your own experience.
- The use of sweetener is allowed, in moderation.
- Avoid unnecessary foods or habits that increase gastric acid.
- Follow the meal program your doctor has given you, as much as you can.
How to prepare for Intragastric balloon extraction
After six months, the Intragastric balloon will be removed in a procedure that lasts about 20 minutes, and that is similar to the placement. During the extraction procedure, you will be simply sedated and the doctor will remove the physiological solution before removing the deflated balloon from the stomach.
Things to remember:
- You should not eat solid foods for 24 hours prior to the procedure.
- You should not drink liquids during the 12 hours before the procedure. Make sure you will be accompanied when you return from the treatment center to your home.
How to lay the foundation for success
After removing the intragastric balloon, it will remain under the supervision of the doctor.
It will continue to meet and examine important issues, such as exercises, fibers, satiety and food labels, purchases and ready-made products. With the continued help of the doctor, you will be successful in terms of weight loss and maintenance.
The intragastric balloon helps you start the process, has been successful and knows how to continue having. The globe may have disappeared, but his desire to continue the life he enjoys now will motivate him to keep him on the path to health and happiness and not to step back in his steps.
The 10 best tips to succeed
- Pay attention to your food portions.
- Learn and practice healthy eating habits.
- Keep a diary and control your eating behavior.
- Limit intake of fatty foods.
- Choose foods high in fiber to feel satisfied, but remember that they provide relatively little energy.
- Make small adjustments, together they add an extraordinary amount of calories!
- Choose foods that taste good: looking at what you eat doesn't mean "just tasteless."
- Drink much liquid.
- Not only do you change your eating habits, but you also exercise more.
- But above all ... enjoy your meals, your body, your life!
If you have any questions about the diet to follow after the intragastric balloon, contact our medical and nutritional team.