What Are The Most Common Gastric Balloon Side Effects?
Spatz3, the only Adjustable Gastric Balloon, delivering the highest weight loss results.
One of the most common questions when it comes to the gastric balloon procedure revolves around the potential side effects and how they can be alleviated. Like anything in life, it’s hard to imagine getting results without having to make any sacrifices. As we continuously mention, the Spatz weight loss solution maintains a holistic approach, meaning we strongly believe in developing an active and healthy lifestyle in addition to our weight loss balloon.
Below we’ll begin to discuss the Spatz3 balloon placement procedure, the potential side effects throughout the various phases of the gastric balloon program, and tips and tricks for alleviating your side effects.
Let’s dive right in.
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Spatz3 Weight Loss Balloon Placement procedure
The Spatz3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon is placed during a standard endoscopy using light sedation. If no abnormalities are found, the gastric balloon is inserted via the mouth into the stomach – all under sedation. Once inside the stomach, the balloon is filled with sterile saline through a small filling tube attached to the balloon.
Placements of the balloon and adjustment procedures take approximately 15 minutes, after which you will be monitored for approximately 1 hour and then sent home.
Here is the breakdown of the process that you will go through during the first few days after having the Spatz balloon implantation.
We like to divide the Spatz balloon experience into two phases: Phase 1 and Phase 2.
Phase 1: weight loss balloon procedure
possible side effects
For approximately 3-5 days after your balloon implantation, you will experience symptoms and discomfort and it will be difficult to eat. Symptoms can be nausea, vomiting, pain, heartburn/acid reflux.
This phase is helpful because it gives a kickstart to your weight loss. The balloon basically does the work for you. Later on, in phase 2, you will learn to curb your eating habits and learn how to eat properly.
Here is a more in-depth explanation of the symptoms that you may encounter in Phase 1:
Weakness
Everyone experiences feeling weak. This is to be expected for the first 3-5 days, give or take, and it will pass. Please be in contact with your doctor/clinic if you experience any abnormalities.
Nausea
About 90% of people experience nausea. This is to be expected for the first 3-5 days, give or take, and it will pass.
Vomiting
About 20% of people experience vomiting, but it will pass. It is best to keep track of the amount of times you vomited per day. If the number is less than the day prior, then you are heading in the right direction.
Over the first few days as the number decreases, you will be able to see the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’. You may need an IV to be placed but you will get through it!
*The patients that vomit more will likely have a better outcome in the long run because it means that the balloon is very effective.
Abdominal Pain/Spasms
In order to alleviate abdominal pain or spasms, you can take antispasmodic medications. They take the edge off and make the process more manageable. Please be in contact with your clinic and doctor to let them know and they will help you get through this. It will eventually pass.
Heartburn/Acid Reflux
This will usually last for 3-5 days. You can take a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) which is long lasting. This can be taken once or twice a day if need be.
Another option is to take an antacid (ex: maalox) for immediate relief but not long lasting. It is possible to take both, but you must consult with your doctor first.
Phase 2 Of the weight loss balloon procedure
possible side effects
This is the time to learn and make progress. After approximately 3-5 days you will have transitioned over to phase 2. Your stomach will have gotten used to the balloon, making the whole process more manageable. It is during this phase that you will learn to work with the balloon.
You don’t suffer from the balloon, rather you learn to understand the signals/signs that the balloon sends you. It is important to note that in this phase, the balloon does not stop you from eating. It will tell you when you did not eat well or properly via signs/signals. YOU are now in control of your food intake decisions.
This phase is crucial and will get you one step closer to learning how to eat properly and live a healthy life even once the balloon is removed. Think of it as your personalized health guide. You will have an appetite and be hungry, but when you eat too much you will receive signs/signals that will notify you that you didn’t eat properly and will need to make the necessary changes in your eating habits.
Here are the following signs/signals that you may encounter in Phase 2:
Burps
The night before the procedure: For those having their implantation procedures in the afternoon, it may be difficult to fast from midnight the night before until the afternoon. In this case, you may have clear liquids in the morning and fast for six hours before the procedure.
Fullness
Sleep is always beneficial, so get some good shut-eye the night before the implantation.
Heaviness
The procedure itself takes approximately 15 minutes and you should be on your way home with the help of an escort within an hour after the procedure. Since you should not drive, please ensure that your escort is able to take you home.
Gassiness
Use the support of your friends and family, especially during the first few days after the balloon procedure. You may need to arrange help for child-care for 4-5 days, as you will feel weak and may have difficulty managing children.
Bad Breath
Remember, the balloon is here to help guide you towards healthier living and eating habits, so listen to the symptoms and signals and you’ll be on your way!
We’ll have an entire blog dedicated towards understanding the signs and signals you receive in the near future.
The Spatz3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon has the highest success rates by the FDA:
As you can see, the Spatz3 Adjustable Balloon is not an easy process, but the results you’ll receive will blow you away. The Spatz3 has the highest weight loss results of any balloon on the market, almost double that of the competition! Additionally, the Spatz3 maintains the best overall success rates, helping more patients meet their weight loss goals than any other gastric balloon.
At Spatz Medical, we believe in a holistic approach to meeting your weight loss goals. By working with your balloon to develop an active and healthy lifestyle, you’ll begin to experience outstanding results that will keep you looking your best long after your balloon is removed. With over 70,000 Spatz3 balloons implanted worldwide, we’re proud to continue providing our patients industry leading weight loss results.
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