Is a Gastric Balloon Right for You?

If you have tried over and over to lose 20, 30 or more pounds but keep failing, you are not alone. Many people struggle to lose weight on their own and find themselves losing and gaining the same 10-15 pounds over and over. For many, medical weight loss is the answer but not everyone qualifies or needs bariatric surgery like the Lap-Band or sleeve gastrectomy. For many of our patients at The Weight Loss Surgery Center of Los Angeles, a gastric balloon procedure is a perfect solution for weight loss.

There are a few different gastric balloons we offer at our weight loss center, each a little different but they all have the same basic benefits. The balloon is inserted into the stomach and inflated, taking up substantial room. Once in place, the balloon restricts how much food can be eaten at a sitting and helps the patient feel fuller longer. Most of the FDA-approved gastric balloons are designed to be removed in about six months.

Benefits of Gastric Balloon Weight Loss

Losing weight can improve your health, longevity and quality of life. With the gastric balloon, you may have the tool you need to make the changes to your diet to lose weight and change your habits. Some of the benefits of gastric balloons over other types of bariatric procedures include:

• Less invasive. Gastric balloons can be inserted endoscopically without surgery. Patients may be slightly sedated for comfort, but no incisions are needed.
• Less expensive. Compared to bariatric surgery, gastric balloon procedures cost much less, especially for those paying out of pocket.
• Effective weight loss for lower BMI. Most bariatric procedures require a BMI of 30-35 or higher to qualify. Gastric balloon procedures can help patients who are 20+ pounds overweight and many patients can lose 50-60 pounds in six months.
• It is temporary. A big selling point for many patients is that gastric balloons are temporary. There is not a lifetime commitment or change, even though to maintain the weight loss you will want to change your eating habits.

If you need to lose 20-50 pounds and want to explore your options, come see us at The Weight Loss Surgery Center of Los Angeles. Call our office to schedule a weight loss consultation to determine if gastric balloon may be right for you.