Have you tried repeatedly to lose weight through diet and exercise? First, rest assured that you are not alone. Second, the problem most probably has nothing to do with you and your ability to stick to a healthy routine and physical activity. On the contrary, if you are reading this article, you are very likely someone who knows what you want and is determined to reach your goal through the extraordinary treatments available through Medical Tourism Mexico. However, you might wonder: when is a gastric balloon a better alternative to a gastric sleeve? Keep reading to find out.
What is Gastric Balloon?
Numerous people opt for a gastric balloon through Medical Tourism Mexico as a less invasive weight loss procedure. It involves placing a saline-filled silicone that resembles a balloon into the patient’s stomach. In short, its purpose is to induce a patient to feel full very quickly and for a longer time. Additionally, the stomach’s area that where the balloon is placed produces a hormone called Ghrelin. Such hormone is primarily responsible for making us feel satisfied and hungry. As a result, an overweight person can lose weight quickly.
Even though the gastric balloon placed with state-of-the-art technology at Mexico Bariatric Center is temporary, it helps achieve long-term results. Of course, to be able to enjoy such lasting weight and health benefits, a patient must continue with the lifestyle changes and healthy habits he started in the following weeks after the procedure.
How Is a Gastric Balloon Performed?
There are two types of gastric balloons available through Medical Tourism Mexico performed in an outpatient manner. The first is called the Orbera balloon, which takes only about 30 minutes to be introduced in the stomach. To do so, the doctor uses endoscopic technology, a small, flexible tube with a camera that fills the inserted balloon with a saline solution. Of course, to minimize discomfort, the doctors use a small dose of medicine to sedate the patient, so the process is completely painless. The Orbera balloon remains in the patient-s stomach for up to six months.
The second balloon is called the Obalon balloon. The method is similar to that of the Orbera balloon. However, to introduce to the stomach, a patient swallows a small capsule. After that, the doctor inflates the balloon using a small tube. It only takes about 10 minutes to complete the procedure. Depending on the weight loss goals, doctors can introduce up to 3 balloons for increased weight-loss. Regardless of the number of balloons inserted, the doctor will remove them after six months with endoscopic technology.
Medical Tourism Mexico – Who Should Get a Gastric Balloon?
Obviously, anyone that needs to lose weight quickly and safely because he hasn’t been able to so through traditional methods could be eligible for a gastric balloon. The key to knowing whether this is an optimal procedure for someone is the weight goal or weight-loss urgency. For example, patients who have a BMI between 30 and 40 could get this procedure. Additionally, a determining factor is that this procedure can ensure a weight-loss of no more than 20 to 50 pounds, so those who need to lose 10 to 30% of their extra body weight could be suitable candidates.
Furthermore, bariatric surgeons stress the importance of long-term commitment to lifestyle changes and healthy habits once the gastric balloon is removed to ensure optimal results.
Medical Tourism Mexico – Advantages and Disadvantages of a Gastric Balloon
Advantages:
- Less invasive procedure since it does not require a surgical procedure
- It accelerates weight loss
- The balloon can easily be introduced and removed
- It can offer permanent weight-loss when patients make lifestyle changes
- Patients lose from 20 – 50 pounds and up to 30% of their extra body weight
- It significantly reduces the stomach’s storage capacity
- It reduces the Ghrelin hormone production temporarily
- It lowers the adverse effects of some conditions such as diabetes and hypertension
Disadvantages
- It requires strict discipline to obtain long-term or permanent weight loss
- It requires the introduction of a foreign object in the body
- Acid reflux is expected during the first few weeks
- Most patients experience dumping syndrome for a few weeks (nausea and vomiting)
- It may produce stomach cramps
- Some patients experience a rare risk of an overfilled saline balloon
What Is Gastric Sleeve?
Gastric sleeve in Tijuana is probably one of the most performed bariatric surgeries in the world. A gastric balloon follows practically the same gastric sleeve methods; namely, the stomach’s storage capacity is considerably reduced, and the Ghrelin hormone is virtually suppressed. However, a gastric sleeve permanently removes through a laparoscopic procedure about 60 to 80% of the stomach. As a result, it ensures better permanent weight loss results.
Medical Tourism Mexico – Who Should Get a Gastric Sleeve?
Similar to a gastric balloon, a gastric sleeve procedure is highly recommended for obese individuals whose BMI is between 30 and 40. The key difference lies in the fact that this procedure is for those whose obesity-related conditions and diseases have significantly reduce their quality of life and have severely limited their ability to perform essential tasks. For example, some of the most prevalent and dangerous conditions related to obesity are type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, liver disease, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, etc.
Besides, to experience the extraordinary benefits of gastric sleeve surgery, a patient must commit to life-long changes in diet and exercise. Yet, the advantages have incredibly changed the lives of obese people for the rest of their lives as they experience losing most of their excess body weight and remission to health hazards.
Medical Tourism Mexico – Advantages and Disadvantages of a Gastric Sleeve
Advantages:
- It ensures permanent weight loss results in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle
- Patients experience weight loss during the following 12 to 18 months after the procedure
- It guarantees that patients can lose 80 to 100% of their excess body weight
- As a result of dramatic weight loss, most patients experience cure or remission of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, etc.
- The Ghrelin hormone is permanently suppressed to reduce hunger and increases the feeling of being full drastically
- It limits the stomachs storage capacity by 60 to 80%
- It is less invasive than other bariatric procedures such as gastric bypass
Disadvantages
- It requires a surgical procedure
- Patients may experience dumping syndrome when they eat foods with a high sugar a fats content
- Acid reflux is expected during the first few weeks
- A short period of recovery is necessary before returning to everyday activities
Medical Tourism Mexico – How to Choose the Right Weight Loss Procedure?
Undoubtedly, there are numerous factors to consider as every patient is different, has unique requirements and expectations. Therefore, get in touch with the weight loss and bariatric experts at Health & Wellness Bazaar. We provide world-class Medical Tourism Mexico services with the highest medical standards and affordable all-inclusive packages. Call us today at (877) 779-2552. An extraordinary weight-loss journey is at your fingertips!
