Gastric Balloon??

snake_lady

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Has anyone here had the gastric balloon procedure? If so could you please pm me?

thx.
 

calico2222

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I didn't have one, but it was a possibilty when they did an endoscopy on my throat and upper stomach a few months ago. It was to open up where the esphogus (sp?) meets the stomach and causes nausea and gagging. Is that what you're talking about, or something different? If it's the former, from what I understood it isn't a big deal and only add a few extra minutes to the procedure and maybe a few extra ibuprophen to your diet for a day or two. If it is the latter...I don't have a clue and I hope someone can help you out with that.
 
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snake_lady

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Originally Posted by calico2222

If it is the latter...I don't have a clue and I hope someone can help you out with that.
It's actually for weight loss. There's the gastric bypass, lap band and gastric ballooning.

Here's a link for the curious:

http://www.swlc.ca/programs/gastric-...-offerings.php

Basically, they stick a balloon in your stomach and fill it with saline. Similiar principal to the bypass, without any surgery and less complications.

From the site above
The Gastric Balloon is designed to act as a mechanical aid to providing early satiety or fullness, which makes compliance with a supervised diet and behaviour modification program more effective. The balloon partially fills the stomach and patients report a feeling of fullness after eating a much smaller portion of food than normal. The emptying of food from the stomach is delayed, which in turn, acts to prolong the feeling of fullness between meals.
 

breellablue

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I checked out the website and now I'm curious. I'm overweight and NEVER feel full. (Well almost never, it takes a lot of eating for me to feel full)

I've developed a mental list of questions to ask my doctor though, like wouldn't the stomach acid eat at the balloon? And What happens if the balloon pops?
 

carolina

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Originally Posted by Snake_Lady

It's actually for weight loss. There's the gastric bypass, lap band and gastric ballooning.

Here's a link for the curious:

http://www.swlc.ca/programs/gastric-...-offerings.php

Basically, they stick a balloon in your stomach and fill it with saline. Similiar principal to the bypass, without any surgery and less complications.

From the site above
I don't believe this procedure is approved in the US yet....... by curiosity - what's the cost of it?
 
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snake_lady

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It was approved in Canada in 2005. (usually things are approved in the US prior to Canada) But I don't think it is in the US yet.

http://weight-loss.fitness.com/newco...g-support.html

(in the above link, a poster mentions it not being approved in the US and they went to Mexico for it...but that was posted Mar. 2008)

Canadian article:

http://www2.canada.com/edmonton/edmo...3-d64321da5c38

It started in France in 2004.

From what I have read, most places use a coloured dye in the saline...so if the balloon bursts, your urine would be a different colour.... then you would have to go and have it removed via your throat (same way it is inserted)

Cost: A couple forum sites, posters mentioned $7800 - 8000 Canadian. (I have an email in to a clinic asking about cost) The cost includes the dietician, the after appts, the support of professionals, etc.

ETA: I've seen costs for the procedure done in Mexico for $3250 - 4000 USD

ETA: it appears to not be approved in the US based on:
http://www.steadyhealth.com/Intra_Ga...5493_st10.html
 
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