Gastric Balloon

NON- INVASIVE WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY WITH MEDICAL SUPPORT

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN INTRAGASTRIC BALLOON?

The Intragastric Balloon, also known as Gastric Balloon Surgery is a non-surgical, temporary weight loss treatment for obesity, in which a high quality and durable silicone bag is inserted into the stomach through the throat with an endoscope or gastroscope.

When in the stomach, the bag is inflated with air or saline to resemble a balloon (hence the name). An Intragastric Balloon is designed to aid weight loss over a six month period, enabling patients suffering from obesity to feel full, curb their appetites, eat smaller portions and gain control, in order to follow a managed diet and lifestyle programme for improved health and well-being.

Larry had a Gastric Balloon with Tonic. Watch his story below.

Further information about the procedure

Who is eligible for Intragastric Balloon Treatment?

Eligibility for an Intragastric Balloon is limited to people with a high body mass index (BMI) in excess of 27, in addition to those with associated medical complications which shorten their life quality and expectancy. The procedure is geared to lower their weight and BMI to an acceptably safe level for weight loss surgery, such as Gastric Bypass Surgery. A good candidate for Intragastric Balloon treatment should also be committed to safe weight loss through a medically supervised weight-loss management programme.

People who may not be eligible for Intragastric Balloon treatment are pregnant or breast-feeding women, people with addictions or psychiatric disorders, those surgically treated due to gastrointestinal tract disorders, people with inflammatory diseases, and those who lack commitment to a medically supervised weight loss and behavioural management programme.

What procedure is used to fit an Intragastric Balloon

An eligible patient may initially be given a sedative by a qualified medical practitioner to reduce any uncomfortable sensations. Thereafter an endoscope is passed through the mouth and throat to insert the Intragastric Balloon into the stomach. Once placed within the stomach the Intragastric Balloon is filled with air or saline, via a syringe or valve in the endoscope. The endoscope tube is then removed via the throat and mouth.

What is involved in recovery after the fitting of an Intragastric Balloon?

Intragastric Balloon procedures take about 20 minutes and patients are then monitored for a few hours thereafter for healthy post-operative recovery. In the absence of complications most patients are able to return home the same day otherwise a night stay may be suggested subject to the surgeons decision. During this time some side-effects may be experienced, which is why post-procedural guidelines are important to reduce any feelings of discomfort during recovery. These may include:

Following a recommended liquid diet of water, milk, juice, jelly or liquid soup for the initial three days.
Gradually eating a broader range of soft foods, progressing as advised onto smaller-portioned solid foods.
Abstaining from vigorous exercise activity for a minimum of 8 weeks, but maintaining regular gentle movement to promote good circulation and healthy recovery.
Avoiding undue pressure and injury to the abdomen.
Taking at least a week off work to allow for proper healing.

AFTERCARE SUPPORT PACKAGE

GASTRIC BALLOON

Unlimited access to your own specialist weight-loss support team which includes your bariatric surgeon, dietitians,
Psychotherapist pre and post operative support
Specialist Nurses
Unlimited Pre and Post operative Care
Post surgery diet advice
Regular weight checks to keep you on track
2/5years advice and support to help with weight loss and to also help maintain weight loss achieved
Emergency 24/7 telephone helpline
Chauffeur Transport for Surgery
Personal virtual trainer to help you back to fitness

20 - 30%

Average weight loss patients typically experience

15minutes

Average procedure time

6months

Average time with a Gastric Balloon fitted

Weight Loss Surgery Results May Vary: Causes for being overweight or obese vary from person to person.

BENEFITS OF GASTRIC BALLOON

NON-INVASIVE AND NON-PHARMACEUTICAL
Non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical temporary weight loss surgery with medical support.
LEARN TO ADJUST TO A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE
Learning to adjust to a healthier lifestyle through a personalised and medically supervised diet and behavioural management programme.
CONTROL
Being able to control the appetite through a feeling of stomach fullness.
EAT REDUCED PORTIONS OF FOOD
Eating reduced portions of food, resulting in weight loss and a safer BMI level.
Self-confidence
Seeing the start of improvement in self-confidence, health and obesity related illness.
Medical recommendation
The ability to have weight loss surgery if medically recommended.

POTENTIAL RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS

DEFLATION
Deflation of the Intragastric balloon in the stomach and migration into the intestines, in which obstruction may result – this is easily corrected with endoscopic removal or surgery.
PERFORATION
Perforation caused by the endoscopic procedure resulting in bleeding; however, corrective surgery can be used as treatment.
SIDE-EFFECTS
Side-effects, such as nausea and vomiting, and bloated stomach, which can be experienced for a few days; however, this is treatable with stomach acid-reducing medication.

THE TONIC CONSULTATION

FOR BOTH WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY & COSMETIC SURGERY IN DUBAI

At our Dubai weight loss and cosmetic surgery clinic we offer a bespoke service to all of our patients – this is because all our patients are unique in their own way and they are likely to have different needs and requirements.

When you book a specialist consultation with one of our bariatric or cosmetic surgeons we will arrange a pre-consultation check in with you. This is where our surgeon will get in touch with you prior to your in-house consultation and go through the details of the operation you are considering to ensure that:

You are a suitable candidate for the surgery.
The procedure you are considering is the correct one for you.
Your medical history is within expectations.
To discover if any concerns are preventing you from undergoing the operation.
You have a chance to feel at ease with the surgeon before you attend your in-house consultation – we are fully aware of how daunting this can be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Choose Tonic Weight Loss + Cosmetic Dubai Centre?

1. We only select specialist GMC registered Bariatric Surgeons, highly skilled and experienced to work with us and also all our surgeons operate on the NHS.

2. We offer 2 Years aftercare with all of our Bariatric surgery procedures.

3. We are available 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year for our patients needs and support.

4. Dedicated Surgeons, Nurses, Physiologist, Dieticians and Patient Liaisons staff to support you through every step of your journey to a new you here with us at Tonic.

5. 70% of our patient liasion staff have had cosmetic or weight loss surgery, or sometimes both! They can therefore share their experience with you.

6. We work with Allergan, and Ethicon, leading supplier of bariatric devises so we supply you with the best possible medical product around.

7. Transport supplied for surgery included in the cost of your surgery.

8. NO HIDDEN COST

Your Consultation

Planning starts with your consultation. Consultations should only be given by one person, a highly experienced surgeon who is the only one capable of determining whether you are a suitable candidate for the surgery that you are asking for. Counsellors, or nursing, irrespective of their experience are not licensed to operate and although they may assist with simple explanations, you should not allow yourself to be placed in a situation where they advise surgery. Most counsellor’s work on a commission basis and it is therefore unlikely that your best interests will figure prominently in their thinking.

At the consultation you will not find counsellors. All consultations are carried out by highly trained Bariatric and Cosmetic Registered Surgeons.

The patient prepared to accept advice from an unqualified source should not be too surprised if the standard of surgery reflects this fact. Competent professionals will not be found associating with this type of organisation. It may be wise to bear this in mind.

No substitute exists for a Pre-Operative Consultation. It may be inconvenient; you may feel it unnecessary believing that you know what you want. The truth is different. Consultation is an integral part of any treatment you may have carried out. It cannot be bypassed.

We do not charge for Consultations. A very high degree of knowledge and skill is required for a well-balanced opinion about the necessity for the operation in which you may be interested. You must appreciate that even when the advice is not in favour of surgery, it comes from a highly qualified person who has given his time, attention and experience to your problem, consulting, both pre and post-operatively accounts for over 50 per cent of surgeons times and good ones do not give this time away. Neither will they tell you that you need surgery when you don’t. Surgeons build reputation not only by the work they carry out, but the work they decline.

What To Do After Your Consultation?

If you have any doubts or concerns after your consultation with your surgeon you can call us on 0845 021 2181 for more advise.

How Do I Book My Procedure

Booking your surgery is simple just call the office on 0845 021 2181 and speak with your patient liaison officer who will then go through all the dates available for surgery and book a suitable date that fits around your schedule.
After the date is confirmed by you we take a £500.00 deposit to secure that date with the hospital and with your surgeon
The remaining funds are due 14 working days before surgery.
You will then receive all your operation confirmation through the post with all the details of your surgery; you will also receive a Patient Contract that you will need to sign and send back before your surgery.
The hospital will contact you normally 7-10 days before surgery for you to pop in and have bloods done if requested by your surgeon.
We will contact you 5 days before your surgery to go through any last minute details for your surgery and to advise you of your collection time as we organise a private driver to collect you from your home on the morning of surgery and to return you home after surgery.

After Surgery

Once you have spoken to your surgeon the morning after surgery he will run through all the do’s and don’ts and discharge you from hospital
Once you have been discharged from hospital you private driver will collect you from the hospital and bring you home.
Once at home your patient liaison offer will contact you every day for 7 days to be there to reassure you and make sure all is ok.
After 7 days you will have an appointment to come in and see your surgeon for your 1st post operative check up and the surgeon will then advise you when he would need to see you again.

What Are The Surgery Finance Options At Tonic Weight Loss + Cosmetic Dubai Clinic?

Pay for your Procedure in Installments –

Although we keep our bariatric surgery prices competitive, many of our patients choose to have some kind of finance or loan for easier payments.We do not offer in house finance however we are able to recommend some finance companies that have good repayment schemes and low APR.

Tonic Weight Loss Centre – Savings Programme –

If you are not eligible for finance or are having trouble getting finance, why not start saving for your procedure with Tonic. With this option you can book your procedure well in advance and pay monthly instalments to Tonic. This way you know the money is being saved for what it is intended for before surgery for you.

For more information or if you would like this option please do not hesitate to contact the office or your patient liaison who get this in place for you.

Aftercare Support Packages Available

Each Support Package is tailored towards the particular procedure.

Gastric Band Aftercare Package

Gastric Bypass Aftercare Package

Gastric Balloon Aftercare Package

Gastric Revisional Surgery Aftercare Package

Mini Gastric Bypass Aftercare Package

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B O O K - C O N S U L T A T I O N

TONIC WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY & COSMETIC SURGERY

We have clinics in Dubai addressing the weight loss and plastic surgery (Cosmetic) needs of both residents in the area and those heading to this part of the world for surgery. Our world class surgeons, Simon Dexter and Sherif Awad, are leaders in the field of bariatric surgery and are based at the Novomed Centers Dubai.