Although not a bariatric surgery, there are other less invasive methods utilised for weight loss which are worth a mention in this section.
Intragastric Balloon
Developed in the 1980s, the intragastric balloon (brand name BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon or BIB) is designed to provide short-term or temporary weight loss to individuals by the placement of a silicone balloon inside the stomach, using an endoscopic technique, where a tube is fed through your mouth to your stomach which is carried out under heavy sedation. This balloon can then be filled with sterile liquid, thus partially filling up the stomach so that less food is able to be taken in before the sensation of fullness is felt. At this point the balloon is too large to pass through the intestines and simply floats around in the stomach.
The maximum recommended time an intragastric balloon can be left in the stomach is 6 months, at which point it needs to be removed, as the risk of deflation due to weakening from the acidic content of the stomach and consequential obstruction of the intestines is greater. (Sometimes you may be prescribed a medication to reduce acid production in the stomach which may prolong the lifetime of the balloon by a short time).
The main uses for an intragastric balloon are in the following cases:
For those classed as super obese or above, the risks involved in bariatric surgery are much higher so in order to reduce the amount of time spent under anaesthetic some surgeons choose to use an intragastric balloon to reduce the weight of the patient (and therefore the surgical risk) prior to carrying out any further weight-loss therapies.
For those who have significant obesity related health issues and who have failed to maintain weight loss by other controlled methods or who do not fit the criteria for bariatric surgery, but whose illnesses would benefit from weight loss.
The intragastric balloon is not designed to be a quick fix and must be used in conjunction with a long-term diet plan and lifestyle changes. Unless there are significant associated health risks it is not recommended for use in those with a BMI below 30.
[Note: In the USA, the BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) System is not currently approved for sale by the FDA.]