Gastric balloon side effects

If you are looking for an accelerated weight loss procedure, a gastric balloon procedure may provide a minimally invasive solution. A gastric balloon helps you feel full more quickly, so you eat less. The procedure offers a short-term solution to help you kick-start your weight loss plan. However, to maintain weight loss post surgery, you’ll need to follow a healthy diet and get regular exercise.

The procedure is relatively simple: a gastric balloon (made of silicone) is inserted via the mouth and esophagus into the stomach. Saline solution is injected to inflate the balloon. After six months, the surgeon may deflate the gastric balloon by removing the saline solution, and the balloon can be removed through the nasal passage. A gastric balloon can make you feel full faster (and stay full longer), so that you reduce your caloric intake. Patients who follow the program may lose as much as 30 pounds..

Before you decide to follow any weight loss procedure, it is important to consult your doctor and make sure that you are medically fit. The gastric balloon may be used as a short-term plan for rapid weight loss; however, it is not a medical treatment for the morbidly obese. As with all rapid weight loss solutions, gastric balloon comes with certain side effects. Talk to your doctor about gastric balloon surgery side effects and risks, which are rare, but can occur after surgery. Be aware of these gastric balloon side effects and know when to seek medical attention.

Gastric balloon side effects.

• Initial discomfort: You’ll spend the first 10 to 15 days after surgery getting  used to the gastric balloon in your stomach. You will also have to adjust to smaller portions of food and to feeling satiated after very little food.

• Stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting. These reactions are normal and your doctor may recommend medications to reduce these ill effects.

• Dehydration: Since the gastric balloon limits the portion of meals, you must ensure that you increase your intake of fluids.

• Fatigue or weakness: The sudden decrease in the quantity of food can make you feel weak. However, your stomach and body will adjust to the decreased quantity of calories gradually. You’ll want to map out a plan with a dietician.

• Spontaneous deflation of the gastric balloon. Consult your doctor immediately if you sense a burst gastric balloon, leakage, or any other discomfort in the stomach region.

• Nutritional deficiencies: Smaller portions of meals means you may be short on key nutrients. Your doctor may advise you to take vitamin and mineral supplements to fill the dietary void.

Since the procedure is reversible, the gastric balloon may be deflated and removed once you have achieved your weight loss goal. Do remember that this is not a long-term solution for weight loss. The gastric balloon procedure is not a magic pill to make the pounds vanish. You will need to follow a careful dietary and exercise plan to reap the full benefits of this procedure. Gastric balloon surgery motivates you to tackle emotional food triggers, and follow a healthy weight loss plan through lifestyle changes and healthy food choices.