Gastric Balloon Procedure offers real alternative to weight loss surgery

People who have struggled to keep weight off with diet, pills, exercise or other weight loss programmes now have a new non-surgical option available that significantly reduces food intake.

Compared to other conventional programmes that involve special foods, liquid diets or pills, the Gastric Balloon procedure allows the patient to eat normal foods and lose weight at the same time.

Many diets alone rarely change long-term eating habits. Many people find themselves in a cycle of losing and gaining weight, as they switch from one diet to another - the so-called 'yo-yo' effect. Some may resort to slimming drugs or diet suppressants, but then unpleasant or medical side effects can make it difficult to stay the course.

The gastric balloon is another option for people who want to lose weight but do not want to continue ineffective dieting or take more drastic measures such as surgery.

The gastric balloon programme combines a team of medical experts and a scientifically proven method to reduce hunger and help patients successfully reduce weight.

The key components are a team of experts, education and support.

Two experts in this field are Dr Manny Srivastava, a gastroenterologist and Mr Michael Nutt, an expert in bariatric surgery. Mr Nutt, says "The beauty of the gastric balloon is that it provides the individual with 6 months of a feeling of fullness, allowing them to lose the desired weight while at the same time learning new principles for sustained weight loss. It is truly a very effective weight-loss programme."
The gastric balloon is a procedure where a soft, silicone, deflated balloon is inserted into the stomach. The balloon is then inflated with up to 700 mls of sterile saline. The balloon fills up part of the stomach, inducing a prolonged sense of fullness. The procedure is safe and simple, 20 minutes long at the most.
The balloon remains in place for 6 months. Patients can expect to have significant weight loss during this time. Throughout this period the patient undergoes support and education with dietetic and nursing experts.

The gastric balloon is removed after 6 months, by which time patients have adopted lifestyle changes related to healthy eating and exercise.

Dr Srivastava continued: "There are no special foods or slimming pills involved. It is truly a very effective weight-loss programme, and better than any other non-surgical approach at sustaining weight-loss.

The Procedure:
Through an endoscope, the deflated balloon is inserted into the stomach. Once the balloon is in place, it is inflated with 500-700ml of sterile saline. The balloon fills part of the stomach inducing a prolonged sense of satiety or fullness. The procedure is simple - just twenty minutes as a day case procedure, with only a two-hour stay in the unit.

The balloon remains in place for six months. During this period regular meetings are scheduled between the patient and dietitian - Nucleus has its own on-site dietitian - and other medical experts as required.

Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Luba Srivastava