Gastric balloon procedures are an exciting alternative to traditional weight loss surgery. Although unlike a gastric bypass or a gastric sleeve they are not permanent procedures, it is still a medical procedure and that is why CQC registration is important.
Just because a gastric balloon is non-surgical doesn’t mean that they are non-medical, so prospective patients need to be careful when selecting their healthcare provider. Unfortunately, there are a lot of cowboys out there, but there are a few ways that you can spot them.
CQC Registration
A quick way to assess the professionalism of the provider you are dealing with is whether they are CQC registered or not.
A CQC registration is essentially a stamp that verifies a clinic with high standards of practice. There are different levels of certification that can help you ensure that you’re choosing a provider that holds safety and care at their core.
CQC stands for the Care Quality Commission, and they operate across England and Wales. They are an executive non-departmental public body that were established in 2009. You can find information regarding our own CQC registration online here. Ratings range from no rating and inadequate all the way to outstanding, so make sure you check the ratings of your provider before choosing where to have your intragastric balloon placement.
Are They Telling You Everything?
Is the gastric balloon provider being clear about everything relating to the gastric balloon procedure you are enquiring about? Does it feel like they may be withholding information?
It is important that the gastric balloon provider you are with clearly outlines the symptoms, potential complications, and risks associated with having a gastric balloon. Afterall, this is a medical device that could be in your stomach for up to 12 months.
It is also essential that you know everything about your eligibility. There are certain body mass index (BMI) requirements that you must meet to qualify for a gastric balloon and it is essential that your provider is honest about them. As a patient you need to know and understand everything involved.
At Allure Weightloss, we specialise in treating our patients like people first, and are known for our transparency and dedication to providing all the necessary medical advice. We are recognised for our aftercare program which is designed to help our patients succeed on their mission to lose weight through support and advice. Our job doesn’t end once your balloon has been placed, it continues throughout, all the way to the removal of your deflated balloon.
Do They Have Dietitians and are They HCPC Registered?
Gastric balloons are a weight loss tool, not a solution. It is with the right levels of support and understanding that are patients find the success that they do.
As such, we offer 1-1 dietetic support with a HCPC registered Dietitian. Similar to CQC registration, it is important that a Dietitian is HCPC registered in order to be able to verify their level of knowledge, understanding, and level of professionalism.
In order to continue to lose weight after you have your gastric balloon removed, sustainable lifestyle changes need to be made. Your dietitian can provide advice on how to reverse some obesity related health problems such as high blood pressure through lifestyle changes. They are on hand to support you throughout your journey with Allure to make sure that you can lose as much excess weight as possible, in a healthy and sustainable way.
Our Gastric Balloon Programmes
Allure Weightloss offer a range of gastric balloon programmes, complete with a celebrated aftercare program. These include the BiB 6 month gastric balloon and the Orbera 365 12 month gastric balloon.
Our gastric balloons are not a permanent solution, they are to be treated as a weight loss tool. To maximise your weight loss you will be guided into making long term changes. Our patients find that they lose on average between 10-18% of their excess body weight with the help of a gastric balloon.
Contact Us
Get in touch with the team at Allure Weightloss today to discuss any one of our gastric balloon programmes.
