Posts Tagged ‘Saline Solution’
Is The Gastric Balloon an alternative for the Gastric Band?
September 18th, 2010 | 
Author: Gastric band or gastric balloon?
There are many occasions when people want to lose weight, or need to lose weight for medical reasons who can not qualify for gastric band or gastric sleeve operations because they have a BMI below 35. Â It is now possible however for those people to elect for a gastric balloon.
What is a gastric balloon?
An Intragastric Balloon is a non-surgical operation which is designed to help people to lose weight when they have a BMI below the normal threshold for gastric band surgery. The procedure involves inserting a non-fixed saline solution filled silicone balloon in to stomach. This has the effect of reducing the eating capacity and calorie intake of the person. Initially, whilst the patients is under a minimal dose of anaesthetic the gastric balloon is introduced to the stomach through the oesophagus in a deflated condition. Once the surgeon is happy that the balloon is correctly placed inside the somach it is filled with the solution. This whole process takes around 20-30 minutes.
When can the Gastric Balloon be fitted?
They can be fitted to people with a BMI between 27 and 35 who need to lose  betwen 10-15kg reasonably quickly. The fitting of a gastric balloon is also suitable in cases where the person does not want to undergo surgery for medical or other reasons.  Normally gastric band surgery is only offered to patients with a BMI of Over 35, however, for some people who need to lose weight for medical or other social problems they can now have this alternative fitted. The person must be suitably motived to be able to follow a strict diet regime following surgery.
What are the benefits of the gastric balloon over the gastric Band?
The benefits of this type of surgery is the lower cost when compared to the more expensive full surgical procedures such as the gastric band or the gastric sleeve. Â The gastric balloon typically remains inside the stomach for approximately 6 months. The targeted weight loss is generally expected to be in the region of 10-15kg. Pateints are then expected to maintain at least a further 6 months weight loss program following the removal.
Posted in Cosmetic Surgery | 
Tags: 30 Minutes, Betwen, bmi, Calorie Intake, Diet Regime, Gastric Balloon, gastric band surgery, gastric band surgery Belgium, gastric banding surgery UK, gastric-band, Intragastric Balloon, Medical Reasons, Minimal Dose, Need To Lose Weight, Occasions, Oesophagus, People, Saline Solution, Silicone, stomach, Strict Diet, Surgical Procedures, Threshold | 
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Gastric Band and Other Obesity Surgery Options
What is Obesity?
Obesity is broadly speaking characterised as being when a person is approximately 100 pounds above the ideal body weight. This can also be determined as a person with a  body mass index (BMI) of 35 to 40 or above.
The best procedure for the patient will be recommended by your bariatric surgeon at the first consultation who will consider all of the factors according to the general health, the weigh, and the attitude of the person. There are certain health factors which will always be taken in to consideration which are known as co-morbid factors which will include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and sleep apnoea. Â In general terms the more weight the person needs to lose, the more radical the type of operation.
Obesity Surgery Options
During the last ten years or so many techniques for weight loss surgery have been developed or perfected. The two most commonly known of these are gastric banding and gastric bypass surgery. There has recently been two new additions to this list which are known as the gastric sleeve (sleeved gastrectomy). and the gastric balloon
Gastric band Surgery
The gastric banding operation involves surgically placing a small adjustable silicone lap band around the upper part of the stomach creating a reduced stomach upper pouch area which restricts the volume of food which the stomach can accept at the time of eating. Â This reduces the overall amount of food that the person can consume at any one time. The main advantages of gastric banding include a minimally invasive procedure, a shorter hospital stay, a faster recovery period, and the ability for ongoing adjustments to the band by filling the band with a saline solution which is an easily managed procedure which can be done at regular intervals by the surgeon, or a qualified nurse who has been specially trained to conduct this type of procedure.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
A gastric bypass  is a more radical surgery and has the additional advantage that there will be a more significant weight loss accomplished in a shorter period of time. However the main disadvantages of gastric bypass surgery is that this is a much more invasive surgical procedure, generally requiring at least three days hospitalisation, a higher risk of mal-absorption problems and the possibility of vitamin deficiency.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
A gastric sleeve operation is executed by excising a fairly large portion of the stomach thereby reducing and reshaping the stomach into a banana shaped pouch. The disadvantages with this  procedure are that it is not as easily managed afterwards, but generally gives a speedier loss of weight.
Gastric Balloon Surgery
There is now a  further development which is known as the gastric balloon which is inserted inside the patients stomach thereby reducing the inner volume of the stomach. The Balloon can be adjusted by the volume of inflation of the balloon. This method is still in its early stages of development at the time of writing this article.
The main result of each of these operations effectively results in a smaller stomach. A reduced stomach not only restrict the volume of food the stomach can accept at any one time, it will also send a subliminal message to brain that the stomach is already full and therefore no further food is called for.
Post Surgery Considerations and Expectations
In many cases after a year has passed the patient will have lost a considerable amount of weight if they have followed the recommendations of the surgeons, have followed a stick diet which will have been recommended by a nutritionalist following surgery, and there have been no other complications.
Depending on the amount of weight loss it is quite common that a person may need further cosmetic surgery to remove access skin or re-shaping of the body mass. The most common of these include a thigh lift, tummy tuck (panniculectomy), complete body lift, a breast lift, breast reduction or an arm lift (brachioplasty).
Any major weight loss procedure normally improves dramatically the self image and self esteem of the patient, an improvement in lift style, quality of life and the most beneficial of is an increased life span.
Posted in gastric-band |
Tags: Bariatric Surgeon, body mass index, Body Mass Index Bmi, Gastrectomy, Gastric Balloon, gastric band surgery, gastric band surgery abroad, gastric band surgery holidays, gastric banding surgery, Gastric Bypass Surgery, General Health, Health Factors, High Blood Pressure, Ideal Body Weight, Invasive Procedure, lap band, New Additions, Obesity Surgery, Radical Surgery, Recovery Period, Saline Solution, Sleep Apnoea, Surgery Options, Weight Loss Surgery |
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