Can Your Body Reject a Gastric Balloon?
Spatz3 is the world’s only Adjustable Gastric Balloon System
With such high success rates, it’s important to talk about what happens if the body rejects a gastric balloon. While this is not the typical experience for those who choose to get a gastric balloon for weight loss, it can and does happen. Learn what to expect with a gastric balloon, what gastric balloon intolerance looks like, the odds of a gastric balloon failing, and what happens when and if your body rejects your gastric balloon.
How Long Does It Take for a Gastric Balloon to Settle?
Gastric balloons take the least amount of time of any weight loss intervention to settled—anywhere from 3-5 days is normal; though, it can take up to a week for you to start feeling up to normal diet and activity again.
When the gastric balloon is inserted and inflated, you can expect to experience:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Possible heartburn
- Cramping
- Discomfort
Not every patient experiences these issues, and you will be prescribed medication to manage your symptoms if you need it. Note, settling discomforts after an insertion or a Spatz3 adjustment if you have the Spatz3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon are not signs of gastric balloon intolerance or gastric balloon failure.
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Can a Gastric Balloon Fail?
Gastric balloon failure occurs rarely. This is when the balloon ruptures or deflates. It may also cause some kind of obstruction. If something feels off with your gastric balloon, if you believe your body is rejecting it or if you believe there is an issue, seek medical help immediately.
What are Signs a Gastric Balloon Has Deflated?
There are signs you can look for to determine if you’ve experienced a gastric balloon fail. One immediate sign if that you feel less full during your treatment period. This will be noticeable. If you suddenly feel significantly less full with the balloon in place, it’s possible that it’s leaking or has ruptured. This is a sign you should go to your doctor.
Equally, if your urine has taken on a green or blueish hue, then it’s a sign that your balloon is leaking fluid or has ruptured, and you need to go to a doctor.
Do not assume that if the balloon has leaked the fluid out that it will naturally pass through your digestive system. This is not how your balloon should be removed or attempted to be removed. An endoscopic gastric balloon needs to be removed endoscopically. You will need to return to the doctor who inserted it if they are accessible and have it removed.
If the doctor who is not available is removed, contact them and seek advice on how to proceed. Know that if you try to allow your body to pass the balloon “naturally”, it is prone to becoming stuck and creating a bowel obstruction. This obstruction will require surgery to repair and could be fatal if not handled in time. These situations are very rare and are almost entirely preventable. It’s a matter of being aware of what signs of gastric balloon fail are and taking action to remedy the situation.
What Happens if Your Body Rejects Your Gastric Balloon?
Gastric balloon intolerance, as noted, is not the norm. Only 1/10 patients experience intolerance, which means their body doesn’t accept having the balloon inserted, and the balloon has to be removed early. With the Spatz3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon, it’s possible that the balloon could be dialed lower to accommodate your body’s needs; though, again, the statistics for gastric balloon report that it’s an excellent intervention for weight loss, but like all things, it’s not for everyone.
Given this, it’s unlikely your body will reject a gastric balloon, so if it’s something you’re considering and you believe you qualify, it’s worth looking into.
Gastric balloons have a great success rate of helping you lose 10-15% of your starting weight. While they help most patients, they aren’t for everyone. If you’re curious about a gastric balloon, contact us at Spatz Medical. Our Spatz3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon can be dialed up or down to reduce instances of intolerance and to maximize results.
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