The risks

What are the risks?

Complications with the Gastric Balloon are rare. Your surgeon will discuss your medical history and the potential risks of the balloon at the time of your free consultation.

Balloon deflation

There is a small chance that the balloon could deflate before the scheduled removal and patients may or may not be aware that it has occurred. Therefore, the surgeon will place a coloured dye inside the balloon in order to help patients clearly identify early deflation by a change in the colour of their urine. A simple abdominal X-Ray can determine whether the balloon has spontaneously deflated or not.

If deflated, the balloon is small enough that it may pass through the intestines and leave the body naturally, but there have been some cases in which it has been necessary to remove it from the bowel surgically. If deflation is suspected, you should notify the clinic. If the balloon has deflated and is still in the stomach it can be removed using the same endoscopic technique used during the insertion of the Gastric Balloon.