Gastric balloon procedure???

Does anyone know anything about this surgery? I think it is pretty new, but a friend of mine is considering it. I told her to research the sleeve and RNY, but if she wants info on the balloon, I want her to have all the info she needs to make the best decision for her.

Thanks!!

OH recently posted an article about it -- http://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/7-things-to-know-about-t he-orbera-gastric-balloon-procedure

I commented there with:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29285708 - "Since January 1, 2006, ORBERA and Reshape IGB have been implicated in 33 deaths."

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4988299/ - "A systematic review and meta-analysis of Orbera found abdominal pain in 33.7% of patients, nausea in 29%, early removal in 7.5%, balloon migration in 1.4%, and gastrointestinal perforation in 0.1%."

https://www.ncbi .nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4917609/ - "Adverse events rates following Orbera intragastric balloon placement showed pooled incidences of pain (33.7%) and nausea (29%) as common adverse side effects. The incidence of GERD, gastric ulcers, and balloon migration was 18.3%, 2%, and 1.4%, respectively. Serious adverse events with the Orbera balloon are uncommon, with prevalences of small bowel obstruction, perforation, and death as 0.3%, 0.1% and 0.08%, respectively."


I'm also not seeing any information on long term success at maintaining weight loss, it doesn't seem like any long term studies exist?

I get the appeal - in the same way the lap band was appealing for many since it's temporary. And, in this case, it's even inserted endoscopically. I'm pretty sure you couldn't pay me enough to have this done.

I think the FDA only approved this a year or 2 ago? It would be hard to have long term results if that's true.

I agree with Gwen. It's the same concept as the band & we can see how well that went. I saw this advertised at the oh conference a few years ago. It reminds me too much of that other procedure that encouraged throwing up your food.

Besides the idea of filling up the balloon with less air cuz a person might want to eat more that day for a trip or whatever kinda defeats the purpose, imo.

I have heard nothing but bad things about it. Even if I was offered it for free, I would not do it. Even the band is not a good idea. I suggest showing your friend the articles Gwen posted.

Given that the goal is to take it out after a few months, I'm not sure how it differs from any other fad diet?

I was kind of thinking the same thing...like, maybe if you wanted to starve yourself to fit into a wedding dress, but is that the kind of behavior that the FDA or anyone wants to encourage?

I don't have access to the articles right now, but they've had an unexpected number of deaths that may be related to the balloon. I wouldn't do it if they paid me. If we can't control our weight without intervention, that intervention needs to be permanent. Otherwise it's just making the yo-yo cycle worse. JMHO.

My doctor's office is doing this. According to what the nurse told me, it's more for folks needing to lose 20-40 pounds, and just want a jumpstart...

I don't think it's intended for S/MO folks.

I would align it with any other diet out there... just perhaps with a few more risks.

My surgeons office is now offering the Gastric Balloon procedure, and their website indicates its targeted to those who don't qualify for surgery. I was just on the phone with them (for another purpose) so I asked - the PA says they currently counsel this for very young patients or those who are below the qualifying BMI threshold.

I hope it helps.

Christine