All You Need To Know About Obalon Weight Loss Procedure

Diet and exercise are safe ways to reduce weight but they do not always bring in the desired result. Surgery is an effective way for the morbidly obese but involves risks. This is where the Obalon weight loss procedure comes into the picture. It's a non-surgical procedure to reduce weight. Patients who have not achieved desired weight loss from diet and exercise, are experiencing obesity-related health conditions and those who do not want to go under the knife for weight loss can opt for the Obalon weight loss procedure. If you have never heard about it or want to obtain basic information, continue reading as we present crucial information that you need to know about the Obalon weight loss procedure. 

Overview

The Obalon weight loss procedure is a surgical weight loss procedure under which a gas-filled balloon is placed inside the stomach. The procedure curtails the food intake capacity, giving the patients feeling full much sooner, thereby aiding weight loss. 

Even though the Obalon weight loss procedure as the name suggests helps with weight loss, it is not a one-time cure for obesity. To keep up the weight lost after the surgery requires a long-term commitment to a healthy lifestyle. 



As part of the first step of the procedure, the patients are guided to swallow a capsule (deflated balloon), slightly larger than the size of a vitamin tablet, connected to a bendable tube. The surgeon conducts an X-ray to ensure the correct positioning of the tablet. When the balloon is positioned correctly, it is inflated with gas through a connected bendable tube. The procedure involves placing three balloons inside the stomach. The first balloon is placed at the start of the procedure. The second balloon is placed after a month and the third balloon is placed after 2 - 3 months of the procedure. Each balloon is inflated to the size of a small orange. The balloons occupy space in the stomach to reduce its size. The reduced stomach not only limits the food intake but also reduces the secretion of “ghrelin,” a hunger hormone, and makes patients feel full quickly. Limited food intake with exercise and diet often results in a substantial amount of weight loss. 


The balloon is removed from the stomach in no later than six months. Post this period, patients are required to continue maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine. 


Eligible Candidates

Although the procedure is safe and effective, it's not for everyone. People with a BMI between 30 to 40 who have not gained desired results from diet and exercise can opt for the Obalon weight loss procedure. Patients who have undergone stomach surgeries and super-obesity are not considered eligible for the procedure due to the risk of complications. It is important to consider your health history to understand whether the procedure is right for you. To determine your eligibility for the procedure, consult an expert bariatric surgeon. 


Benefits

The Obalon weight loss procedure is an FDA-approved non-surgical procedure that offers a number of benefits to patients:


  • It is a totally reversible procedure. So if patients feel any type of discomfort or side effect with the balloon inside the stomach, they can get the balloon removed.

  • It offers long-term results. With a strict diet and exercise, patients can sustain their reduced weight even after balloon removal. 

  • The balloon is placed inside the stomach within 15 to 20 minutes and requires no anesthesia. 

  • It provides more effective results than diet and exercise. 

  • It involves less than 1 percent of the risk.  

  • Being a non-surgical procedure, it involves no down time 

Risks Involved

The Obalon weight loss procedure is a low-risk non-surgical procedure, involving cases of less than 1 percent adverse effects. In the beginning, patients may feel nausea and abdominal pain, but it should subside after a day or two. The balloon inside the stomach is filled with gas so weighs even less than a coin. Patients might not even feel the presence of balloons inside the stomach, but in rare cases the balloon can overinflate, deflate and travel through the digestive system increasing the risk of blockage. There are also risks of acute pancreatitis, ulcer, or hole in the balloon requiring surgery. Patients are advised to be in constant touch with their surgeon and consult them at the earliest in case of any complications. 

Possible Expectation after Procedure

The Obalon procedure is completed in six months with the removal of the balloon from the stomach. Patients need to be in touch with their dietitian at least for six months after balloon removal and follow their diet and exercise plan to achieve the desired weight loss. The success of the Obalon procedure largely depends on how patients follow their diet and exercise and maintain their lifestyle. With the Obalon procedure, the patient can lose twice the weight compared to diet and exercise alone. 

Conclusion 

The Obalon is a safe and effective non-surgical procedure for weight loss. Doctors take 15-20 minutes of a patient's time to place the balloons inside the stomach and the procedure does not alter the digestive system in any manner. With a strong commitment to a healthy lifestyle, patients can obtain the desired result with the Obalon procedure. If you are interested in undergoing the Obalon weight loss procedure, consult a trusted bariatric surgeon in your community, known for providing proper care and advice to ensure the success of the procedure. 

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