What is the gastric balloon procedure in Northern Virginia? This procedure is a non-surgical treatment for obesity. There are many benefits of gastric balloon in Northern Virginia. Let’s look at them now.
What is Gastric Balloon?
The gastric balloon is a soft balloon that is inserted into the stomach and filled with saline. You will be sedated while the doctor guides the thin, soft balloon down your throat and into your stomach. The procedure is non-surgical and only takes about 20-30 minutes. You can go home the same day and begin your weight loss journey.
After six months, the balloon is drained and removed. Some patients may have a second balloon placed.
How It Works 
Since the balloon fills space in the stomach, it slows the passage of food and liquids and helps you feel full. This trains the body to be satisfied with smaller meals. While the balloon is in place you will work closely with a bariatric dietician to help you stay on track with a diet and exercise plan.
What to Expect
You should be able to leave the hospital a few hours after your gastric balloon is placed. You may have a sore throat or some discomfort, but this is usually alleviated with over-the-counter pain medication.
Patients usually don’t feel hungry the first couple of weeks and experience rapid weight loss. After that, weight loss will slow. Typically, patients can expect to lose between 10-15% of their body weight while the balloon is in place. Once the balloon is removed, your commitment to your diet and exercise will help you maintain a lower body weight.
Benefits of Gastric Balloon in Northern Virginia
The main advantage of gastric balloon is that is not surgical, so there is no incision and no length recovery time. Additionally, it’s not a permanent procedure and the risk of complications is very low. Gastric balloon is a great option to improve obesity related conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems. It can also be used as a precursor to traditional weight loss surgery.
If you would like to learn more about the gastric balloon procedure, please contact Maryland Bariatrics today.
