Six to eight months ago, you made an important step in improving your health. You decided to use a non-surgical weight loss balloon to help you lose weight. It is now time for the balloon to be removed, and you are wondering what to expect in the coming days.
Today, we are going to talk about what you can expect during the non-surgical weight loss balloon removal process, what you need to do to prepare, and what to expect over the next several weeks.
Getting Ready For The Removal Of Your Weight Loss Balloon
Even though you will not be undergoing surgery and the removal is completed through an endoscopic procedure, you will need a few days to prepare for the removal of your gastric balloon. The steps are similar to what you had to follow before your balloon was placed.
You must follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to ensure the safe removal of your non-surgical weight loss balloon. There cannot be any solid food in your stomach during the removal process, as it could cause serious complications. If you do not follow the doctor’s instructions exactly, the removal will need to be rescheduled. Usually, the doctor will have you begin preparing two days in advance of your removal procedure.
Preparation Guide for Weight Loss Balloon Removal
- You will begin taking a prescription medication about 48 hours in advance of the procedure that will alleviate acid reflux (heartburn), which is a common side effect of weight loss balloon removal;
- 48 hours in advance of your procedure, you will begin an all-liquid diet. Your Reveal Weight Loss doctor will provide you with the details of the exact liquid diet you should follow based on your specific circumstances;
- It is often suggested that during your liquid diet, you take periodic sips of diet Coke, Coke Zero, or diet Pepsi, which will help get any solid foods out of the stomach and also free the surface of the balloon from any residual food;
- You should not have anything to eat or drink after midnight the night before your balloon removal procedure.
What Does Endoscopic Mean?
Removing a non-surgical weight loss balloon is done through an endoscopic procedure, meaning instead of using incisions to reach your stomach, a special medical tool called an endoscope is used. This special tool looks like a hollow, flexible hose that has a light and a camera attached, and it is designed to be lowered down your throat and esophagus to allow the doctor to access your stomach.
The camera live-streams real-time video to a screen that is next to the doctor as they perform the procedure, giving them a clear view of what they are doing. The doctor is also able to use other thin tools to assist during the procedure by lowering them down the hollow center of the endoscope.
How Will The Gastric Balloon Be Removed From My Stomach?
Your weight loss balloon will be removed from your stomach during an endoscopic procedure similar to the way it was installed. The typical steps during the removal of a non-surgical weight loss balloon are as follows:
- First, you will be mildly sedated, so you will be comfortable during the entire procedure, which will last anywhere between 20 and 30 minutes;
- Next, the endoscope is inserted down your throat, and the saline solution is drained from the balloon just as it was filled;
- Once the balloon is deflated, it is removed from your stomach through the endoscope and out through your mouth;
- When the procedure is complete, you will stay in a recovery area for observation before being released to go home. Since you may feel groggy from the sedation, a friend or family member will need to drive you. For your safety and the safety of others, you should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery for at least 8 hours after the procedure, as the sedation can affect your response times and coordination.
Will I Feel Sick After My Non-Surgical Weight Loss Balloon Is Removed?
Most patients experience nausea and sometimes vomiting after having a gastric balloon installed, but most patients have no side effects after getting the balloon removed. You may have a slightly scratchy or sore throat because of the endoscopic procedure, but most people have no pain or discomfort after the removal of their weight loss balloon.
You will continue to work with your Reveal Weight Loss team over the next several months until the completion of your 12-month program. To reach and maintain a healthy weight, it is critical that you continue to follow the dietary restrictions and lifestyle changes you followed when the balloon was installed. Be mindful that making drastic dietary changes may upset your stomach, and making unhealthy food choices will result in weight gain.
Strategies For Success After Weight Loss Balloon Removal
Practice Mindful Eating
Create a routine for eating, such as eating at the table without any distractions, taking your time, and chewing your food well before swallowing. When you are watching television or doing something else while you are eating, you are not fully focused on what you are doing, and it becomes easy to overeat.
Use A Schedule
Maintain your routine or schedule just like you did while the balloon was installed. Continue your exercise routine and eat your meals and snacks at the same time of day as you have gotten used to.
Make Healthy Food Choices
Even though you can now eat a variety of foods, it is important to choose foods that will help you feel full for a longer time and provide your body with the vitamins and nutrients it needs. Avoid sugar, processed and fast foods, and sugary beverages. It is very easy to fall back into old eating patterns, but if you want to succeed in reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, you need to remain focused.
Stay Focused On Your Activity Goals
You need to continue getting enough exercise to create a calorie deficit, so it is important that you do not slack off. You may need to ask for assistance from your Reveal Weight Loss support team to find more challenging workouts or activities as time goes on. It is common to experience weight loss plateaus or slowdowns while your body attempts to adjust to counteract your lower calorie intake by slowing down your metabolism.
Stay Connected To Your Support Team
Maintaining a healthy weight can be challenging after your weight loss balloon is removed. Do not wait until things get bad and you have experienced significant weight gain; reach out to your support team. If you need help controlling your appetite, have totally stopped losing weight, or are actively gaining weight, talk to your support team right away. They can help you with strategies or medications that can help you overcome these issues and get back on track.
Do You Need Help With A Non-Surgical Weight Loss Balloon?
Contact Reveal Weight Loss in Livingston, NJ, to learn more about the Orbera and Spatz3 weight loss balloons. Many individuals have reached their weight loss goals and have lost a significant amount of weight using these weight loss balloons.
They are meant to be used as a tool to help you learn appropriate proportions, the importance of the foods you choose to eat, and the critical role that exercise plays in maintaining a healthy BMI (body mass index).
It only takes around 30 to 45 minutes to place a safe, effective, non-surgical weight loss balloon in your stomach and start your journey to better health. Set up your consultation today!
