Many individuals who suffer from obesity seek medical intervention to help them lose weight. This usually comes after many failed attempts on their own. Fortunately, there are a few non-surgical options available these days, thanks to advancements in endoscopic bariatric procedures. Weight loss balloons have been on the market for several years now, but recently the FDA approved the first 8-month balloon called the Spatz3.
Today we are going to provide you with an overview of the newest temporary weight loss tool to hit the market and what makes it different.
What Is The Spatz3 8-Month Balloon?
The Spatz3 8-month balloon is a medical weight loss tool that was FDA-approved in October 2021. It provides individuals with the opportunity to safely lose weight using a special medical device that resembles a balloon. There are no permanent changes made to the stomach or digestive system, making it a great option for those who do not wish to undergo surgery and only need some temporary help.
What Does The Procedure Involve?
The Spatz3 8-month balloon is placed inside the patient’s stomach using an endoscope and does not require general anesthesia or incisions. An endoscope is a flexible, hollow tool that is designed to slide down the patient’s throat and allow other tools to access the stomach. It has a light and a camera that streams live video to a nearby screen to guide the doctor during the procedure.
The doctor places a deflated Spatz3 balloon down the endoscope, and once it is in the correct location, it is filled with sterile saline solution until it takes up at least a third of the available stomach capacity.
How Does The Spatz3 8-Month Balloon Help You Lose Weight?
The goal of the Spatz3 weight loss balloon is to temporarily help patients limit their intake of calories by controlling their portions and giving them an ongoing feeling of fullness. While patients have the balloon installed, they follow a year-long intensive doctor-supervised program that teaches them healthier lifestyle habits, including diet, nutritional, and exercise guidance.
The balloon can remain in the stomach for up to eight months, helping patients control their portions and providing an ongoing feeling of fullness so they do not feel hungry all the time.
The balloon’s size can be adjusted to alleviate situations where early removal would normally be necessary or when patients are not seeing the expected weight loss results. If the patient is unable to tolerate the balloon, the amount of saline can be reduced, or if their weight loss stalls, the volume can be increased to provide more restriction and restart their weight loss.
What Is The Weight Loss Potential Of The Spatz3 8-Month Balloon?
The number of pounds an individual can lose using the Spatz3 weight loss balloon is dependent upon several factors, including their starting weight, health, metabolism, and dedication to making changes in their behavior and lifestyle. The balloon helps with portion and hunger control, but most of the weight loss potential lies within the patient’s control and their commitment to eating a healthy, low-calorie diet, getting enough physical activity, and making other lifestyle changes that promote a healthy weight.
In clinical trials, the average weight loss during the initial 8 months was about 15% of the patient’s starting weight or around 31 pounds. Approximately 74% of these individuals had maintained their weight loss at the six-month check-in after the balloon’s removal.
Individuals who continue to practice healthy lifestyle habits and rely on their support systems for help when they hit challenges will have greater success in maintaining their weight loss over the long term.
Spatz3 Balloon Recovery
Many individuals experience nausea, vomiting, and bloating for a few days after their Spatz3 balloon is installed, but these common symptoms usually go away on their own.
If the patient is having a tough time adjusting to the balloon, the doctor can drain some of the saline out to make it smaller, often correcting the issue. This feature is unavailable with other weight loss balloons and allows the individual to continue using the temporary tool instead of removing it prematurely.
After the Spatz3 balloon is installed, the doctor provides the patient with detailed instructions outlining the diet and lifestyle changes they need to make. They will need to participate in all the scheduled appointments and check-ins so their progress can be monitored and they can receive detailed guidance on nutrition, exercise, and make any needed adjustments.
Is The Spatz3 8-Month Balloon Expensive?
The cost of a gastric balloon is far less expensive than the cost of weight loss surgery. Especially when considering the four-to-six-week recovery time needed after surgery, aside from the cost of the procedure, you must also consider the financial impact of things like extended time away from work and the cost associated with obtaining help with household or yard tasks, childcare, pet care, etc. during recovery.
The average cost of bariatric surgery is anywhere between $17,500 and $25,000 in the U.S., compared to the gastric balloon average cost of $8,150. The cost of the Spatz3 8-month balloon at Reveal Weight Loss at the time of this article is under $6,000 on special, and you can check it at any time using our handy price-checking tool.
How Do I Know If The 8-Month Gastric Balloon Will Work For Me?
Schedule an appointment with Reveal Weight Loss today to learn more about our non-surgical weight loss options, including the Spatz3 balloon.
We will look at your medical history, weight loss goals, and specific circumstances to determine if the Spatz3 is a good fit to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
The experts at Reveal Weight Loss will create a customized plan tailored to your needs to ensure your weight loss efforts count for more. Set up your consultation today to learn how we can help you achieve sustainable weight loss.
