Being overweight makes life difficult. Fitting into a seat at the cinema or on an airplane can be problematic and you may even feel like people are staring at you. Shopping for clothing that will fit you is often challenging and you may even try to avoid looking at yourself in the mirror. At IBI Healthcare Institute we understand how tough it is to begin and follow a weight loss program. We offer options and support for all different types of cases.
A Harvard study found that obesity increases the risks of 50 different health problems. Factors such as the degree of obesity and the length of time a person has been overweight will increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and more!
A study by the American Cancer Society found that being overweight or obese increases a person’s risk of getting at least 13 types of cancer. The study also found that body fat, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and excessive alcohol consumption contribute to one in five cases of cancer.
Losing Weight Has Numerous Health Benefits
Losing weight can reverse and reduce many obesity-related diseases and conditions. The more weight that is lost, the more the risks of serious health problems are reduced.
At IBI Healthcare Institute, we understand that losing weight is the hard part and many people struggle with it. We see patients all the time that have tried multiple different diets and exercise plans but they have been unsuccessful in losing weight or maintaining their weight loss. Their weight fluctuates up and down and they, unfortunately, end up in the endless yo-yo cycle of weight loss and weight regain.
<What’s a Gastric Balloon?
If you have tried dieting and exercise to lose weight but have been unsuccessful or you suffer from symptoms related to your weight, you may be a good candidate for a gastric balloon procedure also called an intragastric balloon. During this procedure, a silicone balloon is placed in the stomach and inflated with saline. It helps you lose weight by leaving less room in your stomach, limiting the number of calories you can consume, and also helps you feel full longer.
5 Benefits of a Gastric Balloon
1. There’s No Surgery Involved with a Gastric Balloon
The patient is sedated, and a thin tube carries the silicone balloon inside through the throat to the stomach. The surgeon then guides an endoscope through the throat, a small tube with a camera, to look at the silicone balloon as it is inflated with saline. When the balloon is inflated and sealed, the tubes are removed and the procedure is finished. It usually takes 30 minutes from start to finish, and patients go home the same day. The balloon is left inside for six months. Subsequently, the balloon is removed with an endoscope.
2. The Gastric Balloon Is Temporary and Can Be Removed
By design, the gastric balloon is only intended to be in the patient’s stomach for six months before being removed. But if special circumstances arise before that, it can be eliminated at any time.
3. The Cost of a Gastric Balloon Procedure Is Lower Than That of Many Other Surgical Weight Loss Procedures
One of the questions we hear frequently is how much does the gastric balloon cost?
The average cost of a gastric balloon procedure at IBI is $5,500 to $7,000. That is significantly lower than the average cost of different types of weight loss surgery. Also, the cost of gastric balloon surgery includes a supervised weight loss program for an entire year.
4. You May Be Eligible for a Gastric Balloon Even if You Are Not Eligible for Surgery
Many clinics and insurance companies require that candidates have a BMI (body mass index) that is very high before they are considered ready to undergo gastric bypass surgery. However, gastric balloon procedures can often be performed on people with lower BMI and who have a certain amount of pounds they want to lose.
5. Gastric Balloons Produce Real Weight Loss Results
Most patients experience significant weight loss results by three months after the insertion of their gastric balloon. By the six-month point patients generally will have lost between 20 and 50 pounds depending on their initial weight. After removing the balloon, patients can continue to lose weight by maintaining their healthy low-calorie diet and exercise routines.
Find out if a gastric balloon is a right procedure for you. The cost of a stomach balloon is significantly less than weight loss surgery and patients who may not qualify for surgery are often candidates. Schedule your appointment today. Let us treat you and not just your symptoms.
