The Advantages

Advantages of the Gastric Balloon

The Gastric Balloon has been designed to offer numerous advantages and has become a clinically accepted method of treatment of obesity for more than 10 years in Europe, Australia and South America. The Gastric Balloon is constructed of a high-quality silicone elastomer, making it resistant to gastric acidity and sharp pieces of food. The spherical shape and smooth surface does not irritate the lining of the stomach and minimizes the risk of blockage or obstruction of the stomach. The Gastric Balloon can be easily visualized on abdominal X-rays if necessary.

The Gastric Balloon Program offers significant benefits over other non-surgical weight loss programs. With the SWLC Gastric Balloon Program, you will:

• Achieve a feeling of satiety when eating
• Lose more weight than with other diet programs
• Be supported by a team of medical experts
• Learn fundamental principles for long-term success
• Enjoy the benefits of a non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical approach

What results can you expect?

Individuals participating in the Gastric Balloon Program can expect to have noticeable weight loss in the first six months. The amount of weight lost will depend on how well patients are able to work with the balloon to reduce portion size and achieve early satiety. How long patients maintain the weight loss will depend on how successfully they adopt long-term lifestyle changes involving eating behaviour and exercise.

Studies have shown that the anticipated Excess Weight Loss (%EWL) that can be expected with the Gastric Balloon is between 25% and 40%. For example, if you are 100 pounds above your ideal body weight, you would be expected to lose between 25 and 40 pounds during the time the balloon is in place.

How do I maintain the weight loss?

The main action or mechanism of the balloon consists of partially filling the stomach, thus inducing a feeling of satiety and restricting food intake. It is important that you understand that the Gastric Balloon is an aid to weight loss and must be used in harmony with a nutrition and behaviour modification program. The continued support offered at the Surgical Weight Loss Centre includes nutritional advice and “Living with the Balloon” counselling before and during the six-month balloon placement and for another six months after the balloon is removed. This counseling is very important to ensure that the nutrition and lifestyle changes that have been aided by the Gastric Balloon are maintained after the balloon has been removed.

After the removal of the balloon, weight regain is possible. This is most common in patients that have not made permanent changes to their eating behaviours or who have not been able to increase their level of physical activity through a regular exercise program.