How is the intragastric balloon inserted?

The intragastric balloon is easily and simply inserted through the mouth under a light general anaesthetic. It is performed as a day case procedure in a private hospital.

How much weight can I lose with the intragastric balloon?

The intragastric balloon can help patients lose between 10 and 20 kg of weight relatively quickly during the 6 months it is in place.

How long does the intragastric balloon stay in?

The balloon must be removed after 6 months. Leaving the balloon in beyond 6 months significantly increases the risk of deflation and intestinal obstruction.

What will I feel after the balloon is inserted?

For 3 to 5 days after insertion you may be uncomfortable and experience nausea, vomiting and crampy abdominal pain. LapSurgery Australia provides appropriate medication to manage these symptoms. In some cases hospital admission for intravenous rehydration may be needed.

What are the risks of the intragastric balloon?

Possible complications include early intolerance requiring removal, ongoing nausea and vomiting, gastric reflux, and very rarely, balloon deflation causing intestinal obstruction. Injury to the digestive tract during placement is extremely unlikely but possible.

What is included in the cost of the intragastric balloon program?

Our comprehensive cost includes the initial consultation with a Surgeon, dietitian consultations (1 pre-insertion, 2 post-insertion), the Surgeon and Anaesthetist fees, access to an on-call Surgeon at all times, and comprehensive aftercare.

What are the benefits of the intragastric balloon?

Benefits include long-term weight loss maintenance, possible control or remission of obesity-related conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnoea and depression, improved quality of life, and the ability to participate more easily in family activities.

Will I keep the weight off after the balloon is removed?

A small percentage of patients may not maintain the weight loss achieved during the 6 months. Ongoing dietitian support and lifestyle changes are essential to consolidate long-term results after the balloon is removed.

Intragastric Balloon

Summary:

Experienced, senior team providing a multidisciplinary approach to weight loss.
Price: $10,000-10,500

The Intragastric Balloon

We are proud to offer our extensive experience with weight loss to patients choosing the intragastric balloon.

The intragastric balloon is not a permanent solution as it may only be inserted for a limited time. It is a soft, silicone balloon that is inserted into the stomach and filled with saline solution under general anaesthetic. Once in the stomach the balloon makes you feel more full and less hunger, causing you to eat less and lose weight.

The following is general information about the intragastric balloon but it does not and cannot take the place of detailed discussion with your surgeon. This information is not intended and must not be taken as personal medical advice.

Gastric balloon, stomach balloon, weight loss balloon and endoscopic balloon are all common names for the intragastric balloon. It is placed by our Melbourne surgeons as a day case procedure in a private hospital, offering a non surgical path to meaningful weight loss over a six month treatment period.

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Intragastric balloon weight loss procedure

The intragastric balloon is easily and simply inserted through the mouth under a light anaesthetic. It is performed as a day case procedure in hospital
The intragastric balloon can help patients to lose 10 to 20 kg of weight relatively quickly
The balloon must be removed after 6 months
For 3 to 5 days after the balloon is inserted you may be uncomfortable and may experience nausea, vomiting and crampy abdominal pain
LapSurgery Australia will provide you with appropriate medication to assist with these initial symptoms. In some instances you may need to be admitted to hospital to be rehydrated with an intravenous drip and will incur further costs.

Who the Intragastric Balloon Suits

The intragastric balloon suits people who want meaningful weight loss without permanent surgery, including those whose BMI sits below the usual surgical thresholds, those not ready for an operation, and those who prefer a longer six month treatment period with the balloon placed and removed under the direct control of a surgeon. It is a tool, not a shortcut: results depend on the dietary and lifestyle changes you build with our dietitian while the balloon is in place.

Some previous stomach operations and certain medical conditions can rule the balloon out, and suitability is always confirmed with your surgeon at consultation. If your BMI is in the surgical range, your surgeon will also talk you through how the balloon compares with options such as the sleeve gastrectomy, which produce larger and more durable weight loss.

How Placement and Removal Work

The balloon is inserted through the mouth under a light anaesthetic as a day case procedure in hospital, then filled with saline so it sits in the stomach and reduces hunger. After six months the balloon must be removed, which is done the same way, through the mouth as a day procedure. Your surgeon manages both steps, and our dietitian supports you before insertion and after removal so the habits you build with the balloon carry on without it.

Intragastric Balloon vs Allurion Balloon

Both balloons are available at LapSurgery Australia and they suit different people. The intragastric balloon stays in place for six months and can help patients lose 10 to 20kg, with placement and removal performed by your surgeon under a light anaesthetic. The Allurion Balloon is swallowed as a capsule with no anaesthetic, stays for approximately 16 weeks and passes naturally, with average weight loss of 10 to 15kg. If you are weighing up the two, your surgeon will recommend the better fit for your goals at your consultation. You can read more on our Allurion Balloon page.

When comparing costs, please be aware that our costs include all of the following:

Initial consultation with Surgeon
Dietitian consultations inclusive of 1x pre-insertion, 2x post-insertion appointments
Surgeon and Anaesthetist
Access to on-call Surgeon at all times
Comprehensive after care

Our procedures are performed only in Private Hospitals.

See if you are eligible for the Intragastric Balloon, and check out our quote generator here:

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Health Insurance and Paying for the Intragastric Balloon

Gastric balloons are generally not covered by Medicare or private health insurance, so the intragastric balloon is typically self funded. Contact us to discuss payment options and to confirm the price for your circumstances at your consultation.

Early Intolerance

Some patients may not be able to tolerate the presence of the balloon and may request its removal in the first 2-3 weeks. There is no refund of costs in this situation.

Obstruction of the intestine by the balloon

If the balloon were to develop a leak, it can deflate and block the intestines. This is rare but a very major problem requiring abdominal surgery. Deflation of the balloon prior to 6 months of it being in place is exceptionally rare but becomes more likely after six months which is why we insist the balloon is removed after six months.

Injury to the digestive tract during placement of the balloon

LapSurgery Australia's surgeons are fully trained in the techniques of insertion of the intragastric balloon and such an injury is judged extremely unlikely but nevertheless possible.

Continued nausea and vomiting

Whilst this ceases after a few days for most people, a small number of people may experience ongoing symptoms requiring the balloon to be removed.

Gastric reflux

Some patients will experience quite severe heartburn. In most cases this will be controlled with appropriate medication.

Other complications

A variety of other possible complications are possible but very rare. For a complete list of possible complications please contact us.

Varied Results

A small percentage of patients may not achieve any significant weight loss and some patients may not be able to maintain the weight loss that is achieved at the time the balloon is removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the intragastric balloon

From $10,000 to $10,500, including your surgeon and anaesthetist, dietitian consultations before and after insertion, access to our on call surgeon and comprehensive after care. Gastric balloons are generally not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. Contact us for a full written quote.

The intragastric balloon can help patients lose 10 to 20kg relatively quickly. Results vary between individuals, and maintaining the loss depends on the dietary and lifestyle changes you build with our dietitian while the balloon is in place.

Six months. The balloon must then be removed, as the risk of deflation increases beyond that point. Removal is a day procedure performed through the mouth by your surgeon.

Placement is done under a light anaesthetic as a day case, so you will not feel the procedure itself. For three to five days afterwards you may experience nausea, vomiting or crampy abdominal pain, and we provide medication to help manage these symptoms.

The intragastric balloon is placed and removed by your surgeon under a light anaesthetic and stays for six months, helping patients lose 10 to 20kg. The Allurion Balloon is swallowed with no anaesthetic, stays for approximately 16 weeks and passes naturally, with average loss of 10 to 15kg. Both are available at LapSurgery Australia.

A small number of patients cannot tolerate the balloon and request removal in the first two to three weeks. Removal is straightforward, though costs are not refunded in this situation, which is one of the things we make sure you understand fully before going ahead.

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