The stomach balloon gives the person a feeling of satiety and makes it possible to eat smaller portions. The balloon works by slowing stomach movement and delaying its emptying. It will take longer than usual to digest solid food, and this contributes to feeling full. 

Gastric balloons also limit the space available for food and liquid. Most people can achieve satiety with much smaller portions. It also inhibits the hunger hormone, ghrelin. With the help of a nutritionist, people can change their meal quantity and quality to lead to a calorie deficit and hence weight loss, with long-term healthy eating habits, especially if it is associated with lifestyle changes.

The effect of the stomach balloon varies from one person to another, mostly due to the difference in the rate of gastric emptying in people. But there are other factors as well.

The gastric Balloon is offered to adults with a BMI of more than 27, who haven’t been able to lose weight through other methods, including diet and exercise. However, weight is not the only factor in determining eligibility. There are several other factors that can affect the course of the treatment. For example, if you have had surgeries in the stomach or esophagus, or if you take certain kinds of medications, or if you have certain diseases, it will make you ineligible for the gastric balloon. Also, if you are not willing to work on changing your relationship to food with the assistance of a nutritionist you will not be offered the balloon. The consultation with the clinic will be helpful in assessing your eligibility.

The endoscopic gastric balloon is filled with saline and a blue dye called Methylene. If an unforeseen leak occurs, your urine will turn blue or green. Should this happen, you must contact the clinic immediately so that the stomach balloon can be checked and possibly removed. It is extremely rare that a balloon deflates spontaneously. If you suddenly lose feeling of fullness, or you start gaining weight contact the clinic to perform a check up on you. Again, it is extremely rare for this to happen.

It is important for you to understand that a gastric balloon is a helpful tool for weight loss and should be used in conjunction with diet, exercise and a follow-up program. How much you lose and whether you subsequently maintain weight depends on how you follow your diet, exercise and long-term lifestyle changes. At Nordic Gastric Balloon, most patients lose between 30 kg (66 Ibs, 5 stone) to 60 kg (120 lbs, 10 stone) with a 12 month program, and up to 40 kg (80 Ibs, 6 stone) with the 6 month program. Each person is different in the weight loss outcome.

At Nordic gastric balloon we offer dietary and lifestyle support to help patients change their dietary habits to achieve weight loss goal and avoid weight regain after balloon removal. But there’s a risk of weight regain with every weight loss treatment including gastric sleeve and bypass. That’s why the person must focus on establishing new relationship with food and practice mindful eating, and start exercising to prevent weight regain. There are also medicines that can help maintain the new weight.

The follow-up program, including working with the nutritionist to change your eating habits, is crucial to the success of the gastric balloon treatment. During the first days after balloon placement, you will be followed by the doctor daily till your symptoms subside. Two weeks after the placement, the nutritionist will start working with you to teach skills of “mindful eating” along with other bahavioural changes.

You can drink alcohol in moderation. However, keep in mind that to lose weight you are highly advised to either refrain or drastically limit alcohol intake. Alcohol is high on empty calories, and tends to be burnt first, which leads to accumulation of fat in the body, especially the belly. Also, alcohol reduces sex hormones in men, and compromises liver function. Both of these effects lead to low metabolism.