How To Prepare For Your Gastric Baloon Extraction: 7 Things To Remember
As of September 2018, obesity rates among adults are over 35% in seven states, 30% in 29 states, and 25% in 48 states. The medical community defines obesity as a basal metabolic rate (BMI) over 30.
On average, people lose 3 times more with gastric balloon procedures than with only diet and exercise. Diets may leave you hungry or still craving food. Exercise may prove challenging and uncomfortable.
The gastric balloon procedure helps you to achieve weight loss with diet and exercise. This is a non-surgical and non-permanent way to help you lose weight.
How Weight Loss Impacts Your Life
The gastric balloon makes you feel fuller, which leads to decreased food intake. In combination with changes in lifestyle habits, this can prove useful for achieving weight loss.
Weight loss can have a significant impact on decreasing:
- Heart disease and stroke
- High blood pressure
- Severe sleep apnea
- Type 1 diabetes
Accomplishing weight loss can save your life.
When is the Gastric Balloon Removed?
The gastric balloon treatment plan calls for removal after 6 months.
You receive sedation at the start of the procedure. The balloon is first deflated and then slid out of your stomach through your mouth.
After the gastric balloon removal, you will not be alone. Your support team will still motivate and advise you during the next 6 to 12 months.
By committing to this long-term program with support to practice healthy living, your chances of success are 3.1 times more than those trying to do it on their own.
7 Things to Remember When Preparing for a Gastric-Balloon Extraction
Before the removal of the gastric balloon, there will be several things you need to do to prepare.
1. Develop a Support Network
During the first 6 months with the gastric balloon, work to develop a support network. This can help you emotionally with your weight loss.
This may include friends or family. Your clinic will often offer classes and support groups.
There are even support groups online. Don’t do this alone.
You may even find an emotional challenge once you lose your weight. You have a new body image. People may respond differently to you.
While this can make many people happy, some feel very uncomfortable. This is when you turn to your support system.
2. Do Not Eat Vegetables for 7 Days Beginning 10 Days Before the Procedure
Vegetables have many fibers and are more difficult to digest. By stopping them for 7 days, it has decreased food particulate in the stomach. The stomach needs to be free of any food matter before removal of the gastric balloon.
3. Follow a Liquid Diet for 48 to 72 Hours Before the Procedure
The stomach needs to be empty during the removal of the gastric balloon. If food particles are present, they could go into the lungs causing aspiration.
Aspiration occurs when stomach contents come up and go into the lungs. This can cause aspiration pneumonia, an infection in the lungs.
During the 48-hour liquid diet, take small sips of low-calorie carbonated drinks often. This can include diet soda or sparkling water.
The carbonation helps to settle your stomach and move food out of your stomach. It also cleans any remaining food particles from the gastric balloon.
4. Your Doctor May Have You Take Heartburn Medicine for 48 Hours Before the Procedure
Physicians often prescribe Reglan®. This helps to increase the clearing of contents from the stomach. You take this for 48 hours before the procedure.
This medication also decreases reflux or heartburn that may occur during or after removal of the gastric balloon.
5. Do Not Eat or Drink Anything After Midnight Before the Procedure
Not having anything to eat or drink before the procedure decreases the chance of aspiration. It also decreases the chances of vomiting.
6. Make Sure You Have a Ride Home
You will be given some sedation. You may be sleepy. So, it isn’t safe for you to drive.
The center that performs the procedure will not start until they verify that you have a ride home.
7. Emotionally Prepare for Your Time After the Balloon
One patient noted that she went home and started eating usual meals. She realized at 3 in the morning that was a mistake. She returned to her post-insertion meal plan and worked her way back up.
She also contacted her counselor who helped her make meal decisions. Many of these decisions need to be made before you eat. For example, she recommended asking the waiter not to bring bread to the table at restaurants.
Others have advised using small plates at home because you see a full plate. At restaurants, ask the waiter to bring a box at the beginning of the meal and put half of the meal in the box. Then bonus, you get to have that great meal a second time for the same price.
Understand that the process requires discipline. Discipline by yourself demands a lot of yourself. Ask for help.
After the Gastric Balloon is Removed, Will You Gain Weight?
The gastric balloon treatment plan involves the placement of a gastric balloon for 6 months. The purpose is to jumpstart your weight loss. We help you with learning healthy eating and lifestyle choices.
While the balloon is in your stomach, the amount of food your stomach can hold decreases. The size of the balloon decreases the space for food and causes you to feel full. This helps you get used to eating less and decreases your appetite.
After removal of the gastric balloon, you will receive 6 to 12 months of coaching from professional nutritionists and exercise consultants. They will work with you to create a diet and exercise program that works with your lifestyle and body needs.
Your success is our goal.
Have You Tried to Lose Weight Unsuccessfully?
So many people struggle with weight loss. Over the previous 20 years, the gastric balloon has risen in popularity due to its safety and effectiveness.
If you have a body mass index of 30-40 and are looking for help with weight loss, we would like to talk with you and answer your questions. Continue reading through the information on our site. Then contact us today for a free consultation.