Is there an age limit for a gastric balloon?

Spatz3 is the world’s only Adjustable Gastric Balloon System

While gastric balloons are considered a safe intervention for weight loss and are mostly based on BMI, there is a gastric balloon age limit. The gastric balloon age requirements are in place for various safety reasons. Learn what the gastric balloon age limits are and why they exist.

What is the Minimum Age for Gastric Balloon?

The minimum age for a gastric balloon is 18—the age of consent in the U.S. Potentially, if you live in a country outside of the United States and the age of consent is younger than 18 and you qualify with a BMI of 30-40 (27 in some places), then you can ask your doctor, but don’t be surprised or disappointed if you find that you are not eligible due to your age.

What Is Spatz3 Gastric Balloon?

Can a 16-year-old girl or a 17-year-old get a gastric balloon?

While the question of teenagers and gastric balloons comes up often, it’s important to recognize that teenage bodies and minds are still in development. Even in teens who may need help losing weight, there are risks and protocols that need to be followed with gastric balloons that younger people may struggle with and behaviors common to teens that they may not recognize are dangerous—such as drinking too much soda.

Further, a significant qualifier for a gastric balloon regardless of the gastric balloon age limit is the willingness to adhere to a diet and lifestyle plan. If a teenager believes that a gastric balloon is good for them but they do not qualify due to age limitations, they should start engaging a diet and exercise plan that they will adhere to while they have the balloon in place once they turn 18 and thereafter.

Gastric balloons should never be looked upon as a quick fix; rather, they are a propulsion point for a lifelong health transformation.

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What is the Maximum Age for Gastric Balloon?

Likewise, there is an age cap for gastric balloon. The maximum gastric balloon age limit is 65. Again, in patients with qualifying health criteria, the age limit might be somewhat adjustable, and this should be determined in consultation with your doctor, but on the whole, 65 is the limit. This is because patients who are 65 are still healthy enough to tolerate any nutrient deficiency they experience.

What’s more, most 65-year-olds are capable of performing necessary exercises to experience the gastric balloon’s positive impacts. Beyond this, with various health issues prevalent as we age, the risks involved with any medical intervention, even one as non-invasive as the gastric balloon increases.

Thus, if you are in the qualifying weight range with a BMI of 30-40 (or at minimum, 27) and you are approaching age 65, you shouldn’t wait to consult with your doctor about a gastric balloon.

Bear in mind that as noted above, there are dietary and lifestyle changes that you must be willing to make with a gastric balloon. This means giving up a lot of unhealthy, calorie dense foods and switching to a healthy diet for the remainder of your life. Bear in mind that this will elongate your life, but lifestyle change as we get older tends to take a lot more deliberation than when we are young.

That said, it is well worth it if you are genuinely interested.

Gastric balloon age limit

What Qualifies You for a Weight Loss Balloon?

To conclude, a gastric balloon is a viable option for significant weight loss. Gastric balloon is an excellent and non-invasive way to initiate a lifestyle change. You’re qualified for a weight loss balloon if you meet the following criteria:

  • Age between consenting age of 18 and 65
  • BMI at minimum of 27, but typically between 30-40
  • Willingness to commit to the gastric balloon program terms (6-12 months depending on the balloon)
  • Willingness to change to a healthy, low-sugar, nutrient rich transformative diet
  • Willingness to commit to a safe but regular exercise plan

Again, if you’re near qualifying ages and fulfill these criteria, it’s worthwhile to speak to your doctor to see if exceptions can be made. Don’t be disappointed if they cannot; gastric balloon age requirements exist for your safety and health. If you are not quite old enough for a gastric balloon, start making lifestyle changes, and if you are nearing the maximum age, start talking to your doctor. If this is something you’ve thought about, bear the gastric balloon age limit in mind, and start asking questions today.

Gastric balloons are excellent interventions for helping patients lose, at a typical minimum, 10-15% of their starting weight. We at Spatz Medical care about each of our patients and want everyone to have a safe, positive, healthy experience with their revolutionary Spatz3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon. If you want to learn more about the Spatz3 and learn if you qualify, contact us at Spatz Medical.

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