INGESTIBLE BALLOON

What is the Ingestible Balloon?

The Ingestible Gastric Balloon is an innovative, non-surgical treatment designed for individuals seeking an alternative to invasive procedures.

Unlike other intragastric balloons, it does not require endoscopy or anesthesia for placement, as it is administered by swallowing a capsule under medical supervision in the hospital setting of IMED Hospitals. Once in the stomach, the balloon is filled with sterile liquid and occupies part of the gastric volume.

Its purpose is to promote a feeling of fullness, helping patients adapt to changes in eating habits and lifestyle, under professional supervision.

After a period of 4 months, the balloon automatically deflates and is naturally eliminated through the digestive tract, without the need for additional procedures.

This treatment does not act in isolation but is integrated into a comprehensive program that includes:

• Initial medical assessment
• Regular clinical follow-up
• Nutritional support
• Education in healthy lifestyle habits

The indication for the ingestible gastric balloon must be established after an individualized evaluation, considering the patient’s health status, degree of overweight or obesity, and therapeutic goals.

What type of patients may this treatment be considered for?

The ingestible gastric balloon may be considered for adult patients with overweight or obesity who require additional medical support for weight management, always following an individualized clinical assessment.

In general terms, this treatment may be considered for patients who:

• Have not been able to maintain stable weight reduction through dietary changes and physical activity alone.
• Prefer to avoid surgical procedures or invasive techniques, opting for a temporary, non-surgical medical alternative.
• Are seeking an intervention to help initiate or reinforce progressive lifestyle changes under professional supervision.
• Require support at a specific stage of their health process, either as part of a global weight management approach or within a broader medical plan.
• Are willing to actively participate in the clinical and nutritional follow-up proposed by the healthcare team.

The final indication for treatment must always be determined by a healthcare professional, taking into account the patient’s overall condition, medical history, and therapeutic objectives.

What is the procedure for the ingestible gastric balloon?

The ingestible gastric balloon procedure is always performed under medical supervision and consists of several stages:

1. Prior medical assessment
Before starting, a comprehensive clinical evaluation is carried out to determine whether this treatment is appropriate for each patient, reviewing medical history, current health status, and therapeutic goals.

2. Balloon placement
The patient swallows a capsule containing the deflated balloon, attached to a thin tube. Once it is confirmed that the capsule has reached the stomach, the balloon is filled with a sterile solution under medical control. The procedure is quick and performed on an outpatient basis, without the need for anesthesia, surgery, or endoscopy.

3. Diagnostic verification
During the placement process, clinical methods are used to ensure that the balloon is correctly positioned before and after filling. One of the advantages of being part of IMED Hospitals’ advanced surgery and aesthetic medicine clinic is that the entire procedure is carried out in a hospital environment.

4. Follow-up period
The patient continues with medical check-ups and nutritional support to facilitate adaptation to dietary and lifestyle changes.

5. Natural elimination of the balloon
The balloon remains in the stomach for 4 months. After this period, it automatically deflates and is naturally eliminated through the digestive system, without the need for additional intervention.