Diet Tips to Help Keep Your Blood Glucose Stable
Eating a healthy diet can make it easier to control Type 2 diabetes and even reduce your reliance on medications. Learn some quick diet tips you can follow to prevent sudden blood sugar spikes.
The Many Benefits of a Gastric Balloon for Weight Loss
A gastric balloon procedure is a non-surgical alternative to traditional weight loss surgery. As a skilled bariatric surgeon, Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, uses the gastric balloon procedure to help you lose weight safely and effectively.
Dr. Reilly offers comprehensive weight loss consultations at West Houston Surgical Associates to determine if you’re a good candidate for a gastric balloon or if other types of bariatric surgeries are right for you.
The lowdown on a gastric balloon
A gastric balloon is a reversible weight loss procedure that reduces your stomach size to help you lose weight.
Unlike a gastric bypass or gastric sleeve, a noninvasive gastric balloon procedure requires no surgery. Instead, Dr. Reilly uses the Orbera® Intragastric Balloon system that goes into your stomach using an endoscope.
An endoscope is a long, flexible tube that has an attached camera and a light. During your procedure, Dr. Reilly inserts the scope into your mouth that carries the balloon to your stomach. He watches real-time images of the procedure on an external monitor to fit the balloon into the proper position.
Once in place, the balloon takes up space in your stomach, helping you feel fuller faster and slowing how quickly your stomach empties. When you feel full, you’re less likely to overeat and you can quickly learn how to control your portions at every meal.
Timeline for treatment with the gastric balloon
While every person is different, the typical treatment timeline for a gastric balloon is six months. During the first three months, you continue to adapt to how much food you can eat and can notice visible weight loss results.
By the six-month mark, you can expect to be close to your weight loss goals and better understand portion control to maintain your weight loss results. Removing the gastric balloon requires another simple, nonsurgical procedure.
Prior to the insertion of a gastric balloon, Dr. Reilly spends time getting to understand your health needs, your lifestyle, and your weight loss goals. He can determine if six months is an optimal treatment time for you based on this information or if another bariatric procedure is a better fit.
If you are satisfied with the results of your weight loss following a gastric balloon procedure and are interested in losing additional weight, Dr. Reilly can insert the intragastric balloon again at a later time.
Why consider the Orbera Intragastric Balloon
The Orbera Intragastric Balloon offers many advantages for those looking for successful weight loss without surgery. You can benefit from this gastric balloon procedure if you’re focused on losing weight for special occasions but aren’t ready or able to tolerate an invasive procedure.
Dr. Reilly can place the gastric balloon in just minutes without causing any permanent changes to your stomach. Treatment is done as an outpatient procedure under anesthesia and you can expect to get back to your usual activities without a long recovery period.
The other advantages of the gastric balloon system include:
- No scarring
- Short treatment time
- Easy removal process
- No surgical complication risks
The Orbera Intragastric Balloon system also helps you achieve long-term results. By learning how to control your portions and adopt other healthy eating habits, you can achieve your weight loss goals and maintain your results for years to come.
To find out if the gastric balloon is right for your weight loss needs, schedule a consultation by calling West Houston Bariatrics or by requesting an appointment online today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
How Untreated Sleep Apnea Affects Your Cardiovascular System
Ignoring loud snoring and other symptoms of sleep apnea can increase your risk for heart disease, stroke, and other serious cardiovascular problems. Learn more about sleep apnea and how bariatric surgery may be the treatment option for you.
When Should I Consider Surgery for Chronic Acid Reflux?
If your heartburn is getting harder to control, it might be time to consider the benefits of bariatric surgery. Learn more about the causes of chronic acid reflux and how surgery can provide lasting symptom relief.
Weight Loss Can Help You Reverse Prediabetes: Here's How
Having prediabetes significantly increases your risk for Type 2 diabetes and other health complications. Learn how weight loss can improve the efficiency of insulin and potentially reverse prediabetes.
How Do I Choose the Right Surgical Weight Loss Technique?
Not all bariatric surgeries work the same to support healthy weight loss. Learn more about the difference between malabsorptive and restrictive surgeries and what factors to consider when choosing the best technique for you.
Ways Diabetes Impacts Your Health Without You Realizing It
Living with diabetes requires a lot of attention to detail about your health and your treatment plan. Learn more about the lesser known side effects of diabetes and how bariatric surgery can help you manage the condition.