If you are frustrated with failed weight loss attempts and find that no matter what you do, you feel hungry all the time, and the scale seems to be stuck, you may be interested to know that there are weight loss tools available that can help you without surgery or making permanent changes to your body.
One of these tools is the Spatz3 adjustable balloon, one of only two FDA-approved weight loss balloons currently available in the United States.
Today, we are going to provide you with an overview of this non-invasive weight loss option, including the benefits and weight loss potential it offers.
An Overview Of The Spatz3 Adjustable Balloon
Gastric balloons have been around for years as a non-surgical option for weight loss, but they have been gradually refined and improved since they first hit the market. They are used in conjunction with a year-long supervised program to help control portions and hunger while the individual grows accustomed to living a healthier lifestyle that promotes weight loss and improves their health.
The Spatz3 gastric balloon is a medical device that was approved in October 2021 by the FDA as a safe and viable treatment option for overweight and obesity. It is the first adjustable balloon, and can remain in the stomach for two months longer than the other FDA-approved balloon, which may make it a good choice for certain patients, depending on their circumstances.
How Does The Spatz3 Adjustable Balloon Help You Lose Weight?
The adjustable balloon is designed to help you lose weight by providing a continuous feeling of fullness and helping you control your portion sizes, which helps you consume fewer calories, which resulting in weight loss.
While the balloon is in your stomach, you will participate in a comprehensive, doctor-supervised program for one year, where you will learn about the importance of eating a healthy diet, proper nutrition, and regular exercise to develop long-lasting, healthier habits. The Spatz3 balloon can stay in place for up to eight months, helping you manage your portions and reducing feelings of hunger.
One of the biggest benefits of the Spatz3 balloon is that its size can be adjusted at any time during the program. If you are one of the individuals who experiences an intolerance to the balloon, the amount of saline can be reduced instead of having to completely remove it. If your weight loss plateaus, the volume can be increased to provide more restriction and help you get back on track with your weight loss goals.
How Is The Adjustable Balloon Placed Into Your Stomach?
Placing the Spatz3 weight loss balloon does not require the use of general anesthesia, incisions, or surgery of any kind. It is installed in a patient’s stomach during an endoscopic procedure while they are under light sedation.
An endoscope is a medical tool that looks like a bendable hose with a hollow middle and a built-in camera. This camera provides the doctor with a live-streaming view of what they are doing on a screen next to them and allows them to place and fill the balloon with accuracy.
The balloon is lowered down the endoscope while it is deflated, and then, once in the correct location, the attached catheter is used to inflate it by filling it with sterile saline solution until it reaches a diameter of around 5”. The endoscope and other tools are removed, and the patient is taken to a recovery area for a few hours of observation before they are discharged to go home the same day.
What Can I Expect From Recovery?
Many people feel nausea, vomiting, and bloating for a few days after getting their Spatz3 balloon, but these common symptoms usually resolve on their own within a week.
If your body has difficulty adjusting to the balloon, the doctor can remove some saline and reduce its size, which resolves this issue in about 87% of the cases and prevents disruption of your weight loss journey due to early removal.
Your 12-Month Program Responsibilities
The Reveal doctors will provide you with detailed instructions on the diet and lifestyle changes you will need to make to ensure our weight loss success. During the accompanying doctor-supervised program, you will need to attend all your scheduled appointments and check-ins so we can monitor your progress, provide you with personalized guidance on nutrition and exercise, and adjust your program if needed.
You will learn how to recognize hunger cues and strategies for overcoming the challenges you will face as you navigate through your weight loss journey. Take advantage of this support and keep the lines of communication open, because we can help you stay on track or get back on track faster if you experience weight gain or other difficulties.
How Much Weight Can I Lose With An Adjustable Balloon?
Much of your weight loss potential depends on how dedicated and consistent you are to making changes to your diet and lifestyle that promote a healthy weight. Additionally, your starting weight, current health, metabolism, and any underlying issues you might have can impact how much weight you can lose and how fast you lose it.
The adjustable balloon will help you control your food portions and keep you from feeling constantly hungry, but it will be up to you to make wise food choices, avoid unhealthy eating, and incorporate an adequate amount of physical activity into your schedule. If you find that your weight loss has stalled, one of our expert doctors can easily add some additional saline to your adjustable balloon so it takes up more space and further restricts your intake of calories.
Most patients who participated in the clinical trials lost around 15% of their starting weight in 8 months, which translated to about 31 pounds.
Where Can I Find Out More About The Spatz3 Adjustable Balloon?
A Spatz3 adjustable balloon is a safe and effective temporary intervention that can help boost your weight loss efforts and simultaneously teach you how to live a healthier lifestyle that will provide life-long benefits.
Reveal Weight Loss in Livingston, New Jersey, is proud to offer this non-invasive weight loss tool to their patients, as well as other non-surgical interventions. Dr. Haroon Shahid and Dr. Avik Sarkar are both double board-certified gastroenterologists with expertise in performing endoscopic bariatric procedures and helping patients overcome the challenges of losing weight.
To learn more about this minimally invasive weight loss tool that does not involve making permanent changes to your stomach or digestive system, set up a consultation with Reveal Weight Loss today.
