What is the BiB 6 Month Gastric Balloon?
The BIB Gastric Balloon System is a soft, saline filled silicone 6 month gastric balloon that is placed in the stomach. The BIB gastric balloon is designed to partially fill your stomach, giving you a feeling of fullness. In medical terms this is called ‘satiety’. It will not only make you feel less hungry, but feel fuller more quickly after small meals.
Because you will feel more satiated, you should find it easier to make the changes to your diet and lifestyle that will help you keep the weight off once the balloon is removed. This is why these BIB gastric balloons are often referred to as ‘weight loss balloons’.
A Non-Surgical Weight Loss Device
The BIB Gastric Balloon System does not involve surgery, nor does it require long-term drug therapy. This 6 month balloon is placed and removed during a 20-30 minute ‘endoscopic’ procedure, during which you will be mildly sedated.
Once in place, our dietitians will be working with you to help you make the changes to your diet and lifestyle that are necessary for you to maximise your chances of achieving your weight loss goals.
The BiB Gastric Balloon Procedure
You’ll be lightly sedated whilst your clinician uses an endoscope to pass a deflated BIB gastric balloon into your stomach. Once in place, the BiB gastric balloon is filled with saline (salty water) via a small tube. The balloon valve seals when the tube is withdrawn. The whole process normally takes around 20-30 minutes
You’ll rest in the clinic for 1-2 hours for observation before being discharged.
For the first few days, as your stomach adjusts to the BIB gastric balloon, you’ll almost certainly feel uncomfortable. You may well experience nausea, bloating, diarrhoea and cramping. These side-effects are typically experienced for the first few days and can potentially last up to about two weeks. If necessary, your clinician can prescribe suitable medication to manage them.
The BIB gastric balloon is removed in just a few steps. Whilst mildly sedated, an endoscope and some endoscopic instruments are used to deflate it before it’s withdrawn. You’ll be home within two or three hours. Most people need little or no time off work.
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Balloons placed around the world
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Co Morbidities were resolved/improved 3
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Large scale studies support Excess Weight Loss (EWL) between 34 and 48% 2,3
What Should I Expect from the BIB Gastric Balloon?
Learn what to expect on the day of your 6 month gastric balloon placement below, as well as what to expect in the weeks following. It is important to remember that a BIB gastric balloon is a foreign object, meaning your body will attempt to reject it. This is completely normal and will pass. Eventually, it’ll be highly likely that you won’t even know it’s there!
BIB Gastric Balloon Placement Day
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes to your facility.
Once the BIB Gastric Balloon procedure is over, you'll remain in the clinic for observation until the doctor discharges you - usually between 1-2 hours.
Stick to cold liquids in small amounts beginning with a teaspoon, and increase the amount of liquids as you are able.
If you drink large amounts there's a higher risk of nausea and vomiting.
If you drink large amounts there's a higher risk of nausea and vomiting.
Week 1: Full Fluid Diet
The first few days might be uncomfortable as the stomach gets used to the presence of the 6 month gastric balloon. You may experience further nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhoea and cramping until your body adjusts.
These conditions are typically experienced for the first few days and potentially up to about two weeks. Our dietitians will provide strict instructions for your hydration regimen during this period. In the days that follow it is critical that you drink plenty of water and avoid eating any solid foods.
These conditions are typically experienced for the first few days and potentially up to about two weeks. Our dietitians will provide strict instructions for your hydration regimen during this period. In the days that follow it is critical that you drink plenty of water and avoid eating any solid foods.
Week 2: Pureed, Soft and Solid Foods
Your stomach is starting to adapt to the gastric balloon. So this is a time when it’s important to ‘listen’ to your body.
The transition from PURÉE to SOLID foods should take approximately one week, but only progress when you can tolerate next stage foods comfortably.
Always try to eat slowly, chewing food very well.
Day 1-2
In order to allow your stomach to adjust to the BIB Gastric Balloon, stick to cold fluids ie water, juice and broth, for the first day or two
Days 3-7
Once simpe fluids are tolerated well, you can begin to introduce different fluids such as protein shakes, yoghurt drinks, skimmed milk and weak coffee or tea (preferably decaffeinated)
Week 2
During the first 2-3 days in week 2 we would expect you to be on semi-liquid food (Purees) and be incorporating soft solids towards the second half of week 2.
3+ Weeks
By the time week 3 comes around, we can expect you to have started introducing solid foods into your diet, introducing them one at a time, eating slowly and chewing your food very well.
The Next 6 Months
After the first two weeks, your body will have adjusted to the BIB 6 month gastric balloon and you should be following a regular nutrition plan.
Your success will now depend on how committed you are to adopting the principles of good health into your daily life.
Our dietitian will guide you on your nutrition regimen with calorie restrictions. using the app we provide you with. Remember, the BIB balloon is only a ‘training tool’, like stabilisers on a bicycle. The BIB Gastric Balloon System gives you a window of opportunity to adapt to the lifestyle changes you must make in order to maintain your ideal body weight. For the best 6 month balloon results, you will be expected to follow the advised lifestyle regime.
Our dietitian will guide you on your nutrition regimen with calorie restrictions. using the app we provide you with. Remember, the BIB balloon is only a ‘training tool’, like stabilisers on a bicycle. The BIB Gastric Balloon System gives you a window of opportunity to adapt to the lifestyle changes you must make in order to maintain your ideal body weight. For the best 6 month balloon results, you will be expected to follow the advised lifestyle regime.
Removal
At six months (or perhaps even earlier), the BIB gastric balloon will be removed. It’s a 20-30 minute procedure, very similar to the one you experienced for placement.
Following removal of the BIB 6 month gastric balloon, very few people experience any side effects, but your doctor will keep you in the clinic for a couple of hours following removal so that any sedative effects have a chance to wear off.
Following removal of the BIB 6 month gastric balloon, very few people experience any side effects, but your doctor will keep you in the clinic for a couple of hours following removal so that any sedative effects have a chance to wear off.
Am I Suitable?
The BiB 6 month gastric balloon is a tool to help you take control of your weight and give you the kick-start to a healthier lifestyle. Studies show that patients who have undergone the BIB Gastric Balloon System procedure are more likely to maintain their weight loss over a longer period of time than compared to diets
alone. 3
In addition, there are certain medical reasons for which you may not be eligible for treatment with the BiB System. These may include:
- Previous history of gastric surgery, or a large hiatal hernia
- Unwillingness to adopt the dietary habits critical to the success of the Therapy
- Drug or alcohol addiction
- Pregnancy or breast feeding
- Inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract
- Upper gastrointestinal bleeding conditions or congentical anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract
Start Your BIB Gastric Balloon Weight Loss Journey
If you are interested in the 6 month gastric balloon system, get in touch with the specialists at Allure Weightloss today. Our team are on hand to answer all your questions, and get you booked in with one of our specialist consultants. Allure Weightloss is an organisation dedicated to the highest levels of care, which is why we also provide dietetic care with our BIB gastric balloon placements as standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gastric balloon?
A gastric balloon is a non-surgical and short-term (temporary) weight loss device. A smooth, soft saline-filled balloon (about the size of an grapefruit) is placed in your stomach, allowing you to control your portion sizes by filling space in your stomach. By following professional health and wellness advice, you can adopt good healthy eating habits and change your lifestyle so you can lose weight quickly and keep it off long term.
Are gastric balloons safe?
Gastric balloons have been used in the management of obesity for over 20 years. Over this time they have evolved in shape, size, and design resulting in a modern, durable product, which is now well established as a safe weight loss procedure. Over 277,000 ORBERA® balloons have been placed worldwide.
How much weight can I lose with the BiB® balloon?
- It is important for you to understand that the balloon is a tool to aid weight loss and must be used in conjunction with diet, exercise, and a behavior modification program. The amount of weight you lose and maintain will depend on how closely you follow your diet and adopt long-term lifestyle changes. The ORBERAand BiB® clinical study has shown that weight loss varies from person to person. On average, patients lost 3.1x the weight of those that were on a diet and exercise program alone. In the US clinical study patients lost an average of 21.8 lbs.*
What happens if the BiB® balloon leaks or deflates in the stomach?
BiB® has been used in over 277,000 cases and reviewed in over 230 published global clinical papers, and a balloon deflation or leak is a very rare event. However, if the balloon should spontaneously deflate, you may no longer feel full after eating. If you suspect this may be the case, notify your Specialist immediately. A simple abdominal x-ray can determine whether either has occurred. If it has, your Specialist will arrange to remove the deflated balloon.
Will I gain the weight back after removing the BiB® balloon?
Published clinical studies of BiB® have shown that, provided you keep to the prescribed diet and exercise regime, you will maintain weight loss through dieting post-removal. So, if you stick to your new, healthy lifestyle you will be well on the way to maintaining your weight loss.
How do gastric balloons help people lose weight?
Once in place, the gastric balloon is filled with saline to partially fill the stomach so that they may consume smaller portions of food. Most weight is lost in the first three months, but because the gastric balloon stays in for six months, you will learn the right amount of food to eat to maintain your new weight long term.
What are the possible side effects associated with the gastric balloon?
It is very likely that the presence of the balloon in the stomach will cause nausea or vomiting after placement. In some patients it may last one to two weeks. Your HCP may prescribe medication to help minimize these potential effects. Patients will need to immediately contact their physician for any severe or unusual symptoms.
Do I need to prepare for my removal?
You will be required to take clear fluids only for 2 days prior. You will then be nil by mouth from midnight the night before. This is to ensure your stomach is empty. If food is found your removal will be abandoned and a fee will apply.
What is body mass index (BMI)?
The most widely used measurement for obesity. The BMI approximates body mass using a mathematical ratio of weight and height [(weight in kg ÷ height in meters) or (weight in pounds ÷ height in inches x 703)]. A BMI of 30 or more is regarded by most health agencies as the threshold for obesity. A BMI of 40 or more generally qualifies as morbid obesity. However, note that BMI measurements in body-builders and athletes may not be accurate determinants of obesity because the BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat.
2: Sallet JA, Marchesini JB, Paiva OS et al. Brazilian Multicentre Study of the Intragastric Balloon. Obesity Surgery 2004; 14:991-998.
3: Genco A, Bruni T, Doldi SB et al. BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon: The Italian Experience with 2,515 Patients. Obesity Surgery 2005; 15:1161-1164.
