Which successes are realistic – How much can you lose weight with the help of the stomach balloon?

How much weight can be lost by inserting a gastric balloon and which successes are realistic depends primarily on the patient’s motivation and discipline. The intragastric balloon can only support the weight loss process. The most important thing is that the patient changes his diet and reduces calorie intake.

An increase in physical activity also plays an important role. If the intragastric balloon can only be used without changing the patient’s lifestyle, no great success can be expected. After removal of the intragastric balloon, a so-called yo-yo effect occurs quickly and the weight rises again, sometimes even higher than the initial weight.

However, if you use the intragastric balloon as a support for lifestyle changes, you can certainly lose ten to 30 kilograms, depending on your original weight. However, losing weight too quickly can also be dangerous. It is best to discuss individually with the treating physician before the procedure which weight loss is realistic and appropriate.

How is the stomach balloon removed?

The removal of the gastric balloon takes place in the same way as the implantation, via the esophagus. The procedure takes about 20 minutes and is also performed under local anesthesia. First the fluid is suctioned off and then the balloon is removed. Afterwards the patient can go home directly.

These are the risks of a stomach balloon

In addition to the anaesthetic risks associated with any surgical procedure, endoscopic complications can arise when installing a gastric balloon. These include bleeding, perforations (organ rupture), cardiovascular disorders or the aspiration of stomach contents into the respiratory tract (especially the trachea). The positioning of the intragastric balloon is very important and if it is not positioned correctly, injuries or perforations of the stomach or oesophagus may also occur when filling the balloon.

If the postoperative nausea persists for a long time, the frequent vomiting can lead to metabolic disorders. These include severe water loss, alkalosis (“under-acidification” of the body due to loss of gastric acid), potassium deficiency and even functional kidney destruction. If there is a strong weight loss within a short period of time, symptoms such as a general feeling of weakness, tiredness or paleness may occur.

Late complications include stomach ulcers that can cause pain or bleeding. The longer the implant duration, the greater the risk. It may also increase the likelihood that the gastric balloon will come off towards the stomach exit and seal it.

If the implant is left in place for a longer period of time, bacteria can colonize the fluid in the balloon and cause an infection. This can cause fever or diarrhea and requires medication and removal of the gastric balloon. Another risk of the treatment is that the intragastric balloon will burst.

This is usually harmless, as the body tolerates saline solution well, but rarely can lead to life-threatening intestinal obstruction, and medical treatment is urgently needed. The first sign is a discoloration of the urine due to the dye contained in the saline solution, often methylene blue. The urine is then greenish-bluish in color. The balloon itself is excreted with the stool, in which there is no danger to the organism as long as there is no obstruction during the intestinal passage.