Bariatric surgery has become astronomically more popular over the last few decades. According to The International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders, there were 634,897 bariatric operations performed worldwide in the year 2016, the most recent report of such data. Given the global rise of bariatric procedures, we felt it was important to review the procedural options to give you ample information as you embark on your weightloss journey.
Weight Loss Surgery / Bariatric Surgery:
According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, bariatric surgical procedures induce weight loss by restricting the amount of food your stomach can hold. The most common of such surgeries include gastric bypass, sleeve gastronomy, and an adjustable gastric band. Your expected weight loss varies depending on the type of operation, meaning there may be a specific operation that is better for you.
For example, according to the BMI of Texas, you should have a body mass index of 40 or higher to qualify for a gastric sleeve operation. Similarly, for gastric bypass operations, it is recommended that you have a BMI of 40 or higher, or if your BMI is above 35 coupled with a weight related health issue. Alternatively, for a gastric balloon operation, your BMI is only required to be above 27, making it more accessible to those who do not need a severe weight loss surgery like the gastric sleeve or bypass.
In previous newsletters, we have discussed the differences between the gastric balloon compared to a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass, with the overarching theme being the permanence and increased risk of both the sleeve and the bypass. Unlike the other bariatric operations, the gastric balloon is performed during an outpatient procedure under conscious sedation, with no hospitalization or incisions required; it is a walk-in, walk-out procedure that will have you walking out the door within an hour.
According to the Mayo Clinic, gastric balloons can lead to 7%-15% weight loss of your body weight, and between 30% – 47% of your excess weight. The Spatz3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon, the market leader in both weight loss results and overall success rates, recorded 15% total-body weight loss and 84% success rates. Comparatively, the next highest competitor recorded only 10.2% total-body weight loss and only 46.4% success rates – elevating the Spatz3 balloon far beyond the rest. Below we will dive deeper into the most common questions regarding gastric balloon procedures.
What is Weight Loss balloon surgery?
While it’s a common misconception, the gastric balloon placement is actually a non-surgical procedure. The operation is conducted at an outpatient surgical center, where the balloon is placed during a routine endoscopy. Oftentimes, the patient is placed under conscious sedation allowing them to be walking out of the door within the hour. With no incisions or hospitalization required, the Spatz3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon is the least invasive of the bariatric procedures. Having gained an understanding of the balloon placement procedure, we will now turn to the actual weight loss process of the gastric balloon.
How does the Stomach balloon system work?
The gastric balloon occupies approximately one-third of your stomach’s volume, causing your stomach to empty more slowly, keeping your food in for longer than usual. With food building up over time, the patient receives signals from their stomach that there is an abundance of food, allowing the patient to work with their balloon to develop healthier eating habits.
The Spatz3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon, the leading balloon on the market in regards to both overall weight loss and overall success rates, has the benefit of adjustability allowing for longer treatment times and increased weight loss. As an adjustable gastric balloon, the Spatz3 allows patients the opportunity to navigate the 2 common issues with the gastric balloon procedure.
The first issue that arises with gastric balloon procedures is called the “weight loss plateau”. With most gastric balloons that remain in your body for six months, your body begins to adjust to the balloon around the 4th month, and your weight loss either completely plateaus or you begin to start regaining weight. However, with the Spatz3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon, we are able to increase the volume of your balloon when your body begins to adjust, causing increased weight gain and extending your treatment for up to one year. As a result, the Spatz3 proudly boasts the highest weight loss of all gastric balloons!
Secondly, approximately 10% of gastric balloon patients are intolerant to the balloon for a variety of reasons that remain unknown before the placement procedure. Due to our unique adjustability feature, we are able to lower the volume of the balloon to ensure maximum comfort and eliminate the possibility of early balloon removal. This unique feature is the reason we are able to provide the highest success rates (84%) of all gastric balloons, almost double the success rates of our closest competitor (Orbera, 46.4%).
Given our unique adjustability feature, it’s clear that the Spatz3 is the most effective weight loss balloon. Below we will continue our discussion with additional information to keep you up to date with the latest trends in the gastric balloon industry.
What is the cost of a gastric balloon?
The cost of a gastric balloon procedure is difficult to determine because each individual clinic has the right to price the surgery differently based on their labor hours, materials used, surgical center space, etc. However, we can confidently say that the weight loss solution is priceless when taking the full picture into consideration.
Before trying a gastric balloon, many patients try various dieting packages, oftentimes costing them thousands of dollars. Additionally, bariatric procedures like a gastric bypass or gastric sleeve can end up costing patients $15,000 – $20,000, significantly more than one would pay for a gastric balloon.
Therefore, instead of spending time, money, and energy trying various weight loss programs that just don’t work, it pays to choose the Spatz3 that will give you the highest chances of meeting your weight loss goals. The ability to live a truly healthy and active lifestyle, without the fear of various health problems that come with obesity, is something that you can’t put a price tag on.
Is weight loss surgery reversible?
Being that bariatric surgery encompasses a number of different operations, there is no straight answer to the above question; however, most of the surgical operations are non-reversible. For example, both the gastric bypass and gastric sleeve operations are non-reversible, being that a reversal would require extensive surgery and increased risk.
On the other hand, the less invasive bariatric procedures, like the gastric balloon, can be reversed. The gastric balloon procedure involves the temporary placement of the balloon, varying anywhere from 6 months to a year, and is removed after the completion of the given time period of the specific balloon. The Spatz3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon is usually placed for up to a year, but given our unique adjustability feature, the balloon can be deflated and removed at any time. Therefore, the weight loss balloon is the go-to option for those who are searching for a less invasive, less permanent procedure.
What is the success rate of weight loss surgery?
Defining the overall success rates of bariatric surgery is extremely difficult because each specific operation has its own unique success rates. Therefore, we will be focusing on the success rates of the gastric balloon procedure… then again, it’s what we do best!
In regards to gastric balloon success rates, the Spatz3 stands alone ahead of the pack. In FDA clinical trials 5 gastric balloons were tested, including the Spatz3. The results are absolutely astonishing:
- The Spatz3 recorded 84% success rates, nearly double the closest two competitors who recorded 48.8% and 46.4% respectively. This means that there’s only one gastric balloon that gives you high chances of accomplishing your weight loss goals – the Spatz3.
- Average weight loss with the Spatz3 was 31.7 lbs, nearly 10 pounds more than our closest competitor (21.8 lbs). Once again, if you’re interested in a gastric balloon, the Spatz3 provides by far the highest overall weight loss.
- Lastly, the Spatz3 recorded 15% of total body loss, far beyond our closest competitor (10.2%). The choice is clear, only the Spatz3 will guarantee the results you’re looking for.
The Spatz3 Weight Loss Solution
As you now know, different bariatric procedures are better for accomplishing specific goals; depending on your desired weight loss goals, one procedure may be better for you. For those looking to lose weight, develop healthier eating habits, and transform their overall lifestyle to one that is both healthy and active, the Spatz3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon is the perfect fit.
With our unique adjustability feature, we provide the most weight loss and the highest success rates, giving you the best opportunity to reach your desired weight loss goals. With over 70,000 patients around the globe, it’s clear the Spatz3 is the most effective weight loss balloon on the market. So, what are you waiting for?
