Q and A
Are there any risks or side effects from Gastric balloon Pill ?
In the same study, about one in 10 patients reported nausea, 6.7% reported vomiting and 7.6% requested early removal of the balloons. No serious complications were reported.
Your Doctors will closely monitor any of his patients undergoing the procedure during the entire 12 weeks, to detect possible complications with your gastric balloon pill.
These could include:
- deflation of the gastric balloon pill (which could result in bowel obstruction – which can be potentially fatal)
- reflux
- indigestion
- stomach pain and cramps
- constipation
- diarrhoea
- bloating
- gastric ulcer
- injury to the stomach or oesophagus (tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach)
Is there any evidence that the Gastric Balloon Pill works ?
Obalon has conducted an analysis of the gastric balloon pill in 119 obese patients, mainly women, who at first had a single balloon inserted. Just under half of them received a second balloon and a further six of them a third balloon, during the treatment period. At the end of the trial period 110 patients completed at least eight weeks of treatment (a 7.6% drop-out rate).
According to the company, women attained an average weight loss of 8 kg which they state constitutes an average “excess” weight loss of about 50%.
Who can NOT have a gastric balloon pill?
The gastric balloon pill is not appropriate for people with certain medical conditions such as
- disorders of the gastroesophageal tract
- anyone with type 1 diabetes,
- Women who are, or plan to become, pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Is the Obalon Gastric Balloon Pill available on the NHS ?
The Gastric Balloon Pill is NOT available on the UK NHS
Q. What is the difference between the Gastric Balloon Pill and a Gastric Balloon procedure.
A1. The gastric Balloon Pill is a tiny capsule which contains an uninflated balloon attached to a plastic tube. The Pill is then swallowed by the patient. Next an Exay is taken of the stomach area and the surgeon then inflates the balloon once it is in place in the patients stomach. After 3 Months the surgeon will have to deflate the balloon in the stomach whilst you are under anesthetic and and remove it.
A2. The Gastric Balloon is inserted by a surgeon whilst you are under anesthetic and inflated. 6 Months later the surgeon will remove the balloon under anesthetic.