Are you making weight loss your New Year’s resolution, but you need to lose close to 50 pounds or more? A gastric balloon, a non-surgical weight loss option, can be an effective tool for individuals aiming to lose a significant amount of weight. This minimally invasive procedure involves placing a deflated balloon into the stomach, which is then inflated to reduce the available space for food, promoting a feeling of fullness and aiding in portion control. Here are several ways a gastric balloon can assist in achieving substantial weight loss.
Portion Control and Reduced Hunger
The presence of the balloon in the stomach restricts its volume, leading to a feeling of fullness with smaller meals. This limitation on stomach space helps individuals consume fewer calories, promoting weight loss. The balloon also exerts pressure on the stomach, influencing hunger signals and reducing appetite. This effect helps individuals experience fewer hunger pangs and cravings, aiding in adherence to a reduced-calorie diet.
Lifestyle and Behavioral Changes
The gastric balloon serves as a catalyst for lifestyle modifications, encouraging individuals to adopt healthier eating habits and increase physical activity. It offers a window of opportunity for individuals to develop sustainable lifestyle changes crucial for long-term weight management. Our patients undergoing gastric balloon placement at The Weight Loss Surgery Center in Los Angeles receive guidance from our healthcare professionals who offer nutritional advice, behavioral counseling and support in adopting healthier habits.
Minimally Invasive Procedure
The gastric balloon placement is a minimally invasive procedure performed endoscopically, typically requiring no incisions or sutures. This reduces the risk of complications associated with invasive surgical procedures. Patients usually experience a brief recovery period after the procedure, enabling a quicker return to daily activities compared to more invasive weight loss surgeries.
Effective Weight Loss Results
Individuals who adhere to the recommended diet and lifestyle changes can achieve substantial weight loss with a gastric balloon, often exceeding 50 pounds or more within the initial treatment period, typically spanning about six months.
Temporary Nature and Safety
The gastric balloon is typically removed after six months. This temporary nature allows individuals to reevaluate their eating habits and maintain weight loss efforts independently after balloon removal. While any medical procedure comes with risks, gastric balloons are considered very safe and less invasive than many other weight loss procedures.
For individuals seeking to lose up to 50 pounds or more, a gastric balloon offers a non-surgical approach that aids in weight reduction by promoting portion control, reducing appetite and encouraging lifestyle changes. However, the success of a gastric balloon as a weight loss tool relies significantly on an individual’s commitment to adhering to dietary and behavioral modifications. If you are looking for a tool to help you lose 30, 40 or even 50 pounds over the next several months, a gastric balloon may be right for you. Contact The Weight Loss Surgery Center of Los Angeles to schedule your weight loss consultation with Dr. David Davtyan.
Posted on behalf of Dr. David G. Davtyan MD, FACS, FICS
