Question:
I'm trying to find out the proceedural name for the weightloss balloon?

I read a while back where a physician would lower a saline filled balloon into your stomach inabling your stomach to fill full and to loose weight. I have been denied all other procedures by AETNA (bypass, lapband etc) so I'm trying something else.    — Phyllis C. (posted on February 16, 2005)

February 15, 2005
Phyllis, Last I read (several months ago now) it was not yet approved by the FDA. I do know it's being done in Europe - but with less than stellar results (according to the study I read). Have you considered self-paying? That's what I ended up having to do. I went to Spain to Dr. Aniceto Baltasar for my surgery 2.5 yrs ago - honestly, I thank God daily that my insurance DIDN'T cover! I would then likely never have pushed for the surgery *I* really wanted, nor found the wonderful Dr. Baltasar! Let me know if I can help, okay? Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

February 16, 2005
They do the gastric balloon in Europe, but it's important to note WHY they don't do them here. They can only be in place 4-6 months, high incidence of ulcer and if the balloon leaks, it can go down into the intestinal tract. My DIL lives in Spain and wanted one. I was fairly well horrified, because remember, you can only have it in place for a few months and then out it goes, and so does the wt loss. They are using them effectively to get people down a few lbs into a safer wt for a permanent surgery in Europe, but so far, they are not a permanent solution. And she's way too light for a DS, even tho I have sent her to Dr B. OF COURSE! Goes without saying!
   — vitalady