Gastric balloons are small inflatable pouches, or balloons, that insert into the stomach through the mouth and esophagus in a non-invasive manner. A gastric balloon isn’t permanent, but it will stay in your stomach for a few months to create a sensation of “fullness” and allow your stomach to empty more slowly than usual.
Formation is one of only three Florida centers that offers the Spatz3, the only adjustable gastric balloon in the world, allowing you a hand in customizing your treatment. In comparison to the other balloons on the market, Spatz3 typically has the highest weight loss, with an 84% success rate.
Starting 48 hours before your balloon removal procedure, we recommend the following pointers:
Starting 48 hours before your procedure, you’ll abstain from solid food and drink “liquid meals,” such as protein shakes, smoothies, and milk.
You’ll switch to clear fluids only beginning 24 hours before your procedure. Depending on your situation, we may advise you to refrain from drinking liquids for 12 hours before balloon removal.
It’s essential to have someone else drive you home for safety reasons, as the doctor will give you a mild sedative before the removal.
Because the removal is a non-surgical procedure, you should be able to return to work the very next day. We’ll discuss the plan that makes the most sense for you, and you can speak to your employer to facilitate your return to work.
The gastric balloon removal procedure is rather simple and should only take about 15-30 minutes for both the Orbera and Spatz balloons.
It’s a critical time to keep implementing the changes you’ve learned with the balloon to keep your weight off for good. Living your new healthy lifestyle and remembering to “eat the rainbow” when selecting foods will help keep you on track!
Also, remember that Formation has access to lifestyle and nutrition coaches – we are here to help you be successful! So please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions or need support during this transition.
Keep the following tips in mind to make informed choices after your balloon is removed:
You may be wondering what to eat (and how much) following your balloon removal to maintain the benefits of the weight you lost.
Here are a few recommendations for selecting and preparing foods post-balloon:
Learning to self-regulate and avoiding past unhealthy eating habits are essential to keeping the weight off after balloon removal.
While you could immediately try to run three miles a day in an effort to burn calories, that might not be sustainable. Instead, what’s most important is to build daily exercise into your life. If exercise hasn’t been a huge priority for you (or even if it has, but you find it challenging), try making some small lifestyle changes that will have a lasting impact over a long period of time.
Think of ways to increase your daily movement. For example, use the stairs instead of the elevator. Take a walk after dinner. Play fetch with your dog at the park, or take the longer path when walking your dog (Fido will love you for it). Get a standing desk at the office or your home. Park further away from the store in the parking lot instead of looking for a spot close to the entrance. Go for an evening stroll with your sweetheart after cooking a meal together. Or get adventurous, and try a new outdoor activity, like stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, or hiking on one of the scenic trails in Tampa.
Put that Fitbit or the steps counter to work on your smartphone!
The upside of having a non-invasive surgical procedure is that there’s really no downtime after your balloon removal. You shouldn’t notice any gastric balloon side effects or pain after gastric balloon removal aside from slightly increased hunger.
Remember to stick with your usual routine and speak to our doctors or nutritionist to customize your after-balloon diet, if necessary.
Above all, don’t forget to celebrate your success! This is a huge undertaking and a significant positive step to wellness. You deserve the best in life – know that you are giving yourself the opportunity for lifelong health and the ability to enjoy yourself in a body that lets you do everything you want it to do.
Here are the answers to our patients’ most frequently asked questions. Please be sure to speak with us about any concerns specific to your situation.
Follow the doctor’s orders! Your doctor may want you to take heartburn medication to make the post-op recovery easier.
It’s important to make deliberate choices after gastric balloon removal. Let us know if you’d like personalized help – it can take support and re-educating yourself on things like standard serving sizes to find your new rhythm.
The cost of a gastric balloon will depend on the type of balloon you have and your provider’s fees. Typically, a gastric balloon costs anywhere from $5,500-$8,000, depending on the balloon type.
The FDA officially selected Formation as a trial location to bridge the proven technology in the US, as it had already seen considerable success in other countries. Because of this, the team at Formation can pass considerable savings on to their clients during this initial “trial” phase. We can speak to you more specifically about costs during your free consultation.
Gastric balloons are not long-term interventions. Usually, a gastric balloon will remain in your stomach for six to eight months.
You are likely a good candidate if you intend to use the gastric balloon as a springboard to lifelong, sustainable weight loss coupled with lifestyle changes!
