Non Surgical Treatment for Obesity

We are proud to introduce a new device for weight loss surgery The Spatz™ Adjustable Balloon System which is a non-surgical weight loss therapy for overweight and obese patients. The system's innovative feature offers greater weight-loss success and an increased patient safety.

This device is unlike the regular gastric balloon it has an innovative valve, allowing the balloon volume to be adjusted in the patient's stomach via a routine endoscopy procedure. Each additional volume produces a fresh effect facilitating renewed weight loss.
   

More significantly, our system allows us to decrease the balloon volume, which can give the stomach time to "re-set" back to normal. After this "re-set" period, the balloon can be re-inflated for a fresh start and renewed effect. All of this is available only with a balloon that is adjustable.

The unique anchoring system of the Spatz device protects a deflated balloon from advancing into the intestines. Even if the balloon should lose all its fluid, the uncrushable catheter will prevent the balloon from travelling out of the duodenum, allowing it to be used safely for 1 year.

The Spatz™ Adjustable Balloon System is a fluid filled balloon with an attached anchor and adjustability valve - the first in gastric balloons. The 15 minute out-patient procedure reduces stomach capacity to give patients a feeling of satiety .Moreover, patients are discharged home within several hours after insertion.

How Is The Spatz™ Adjustable Balloon System Different?

The unique combination of longer implantation time and adjustability of the balloon volume can provide the means to achieve greater weight loss.

Advantages of Gastric Balloon

• · Have a feeling of satiety (fullness)

• · Quicker adaptation to the gastric balloon

• · Fewer post-operative symptoms lasting shorter time

• · Lose more weight than with other diet programs

• · Be supported by a team of medical experts

• · Have the benefits of a non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical approach

Your diet after getting the gastric balloon

During the first week following the gastric balloon surgery, you will be placed on a liquid diet. Your dietician will also advise you to increase your water intake then you will move to a soft diet for another week. After that, the dietician will provide you with a meal program where you can start eating solids.

The diet program will consist of calorie restrictions to help you get started with your weight loss plan. For the next twelve months that you have the balloon in your stomach, you will need to follow a diet program specifically designed for your condition.

You will also need to meet with the team that handles your case to monitor your progress and provide you with sufficient training and education on proper weight loss. The program will make it easier for you to gradually get used to the lifestyle changes that will help you maintain weight loss later on when you don't have the gastric balloon in your stomach.

FAQ's regarding gastric balloon

How Does It Work?
The Gastric Balloon is a soft, expandable balloon inserted into the stomach and filled with sterile water. It is a non-surgical, temporary intervention and is removed after 6 months (or longer with our NEW adjustable, long life balloon).

  
But at CosmeSurge^® and Emirates Hospital, it's so much more than a balloon! The balloon is only part of the solution and will only deliver long term weight loss if you change your lifestyle habits. This is why we combine the balloon with a unique program of expert support and training to help you do this.

How will it help me losing weight?

• The balloon creates a feeling of fullness after eating small meals

• You are satisfied after eating less and so reduce your portion size

• Reduced portion size = fewer calories consumed = weight loss

• Option to increase balloon volume when weight loss plateaus for a greater, more sustained total weight loss (adjustable balloon only)

  
CosmeSurge^® and Emirates Hospital Habit Changing Plan - working with your balloon

  
Our 12 month Aftercare Program is vital to your long term success. Without this program of support and training, you will revert to old habits once the balloon is removed and put weight back on.

• Intensive behavioral support from a dedicated Health Educator to maximize your weight loss results

• Structured diet plans to help you adjust to healthy eating habits and achieve the best weight loss results

• Medical reviews with our team of Bariatric dieticians

What Does It Involve?

  
The Gastric Balloon Weight Management System is an effective, non-surgical program for weight loss - with proven results.
  
The gastric balloon is placed into your stomach to create a feeling of fullness, reduce the amount of food that you eat and encourage long term portion control. In conjunction with the life coaching program, the gastric balloon provides a kick start to healthy, sustained weight loss. The balloon is removed after 6 months (or longer with our NEW adjustable, long life balloon).

  
The Balloon Placement Procedure
The balloon is inserted through the mouth by an endoscopic procedure which takes 20-30 minutes. The supervising physician looks at the stomach with an endoscopic camera and, providing no abnormalities are found, inserts the balloon into the stomach in its compact, deflated form. Swallowing is aided with light sedation.

  
Once inside the stomach, the balloon is immediately filled with sterile water through a small filling tube (catheter). The balloon has a self-sealing valve and once it is filled, the catheter is gently removed.
When full, the balloon is too large to pass into the bowel and stays in the stomach.

What to expect

We are weight loss specialists at CosmeSurge^® and Emirates Hospital - it's all we do - so you can be assured of expert support. Your Patient coordinator will advise you of what to expect during the preparation, placement, recovery and ongoing weight loss stages. Everyone is different but you may like to be aware of the following:

• You will be discharged 1-2 hours after the procedure

• Plan alternative travel as you will not be permitted to drive

• Plan for at least 48-72 hours of inactivity after the procedure

• The first few days can be uncomfortable while the stomach gets used to the balloon. Nausea, cramping and vomiting are possible side effects but can be treated

• You will be restricted to a liquid diet for the first 3 days. Each subsequent adjustment could be followed by the same discomfort and diet restriction that you experience after the initial placement.

Is It Suitable For Me?

  
The Gastric Balloon Weight Management System is a temporary kick start to healthy weight loss. Our combined approach of Gastric Balloon and Habit Changing Plan is a medically proven way to achieve your weight loss goals once and for all.

  
The Gastric Balloon could be the solution for you if:

• You've tried diets and weight loss plans without success - you need more

• You need a kick start to get your weight back on track and under control

• You are not eligible for weight loss surgery

• You want to avoid weight loss surgery

How Much Will It Cost?

  
CosmeSurge^® and Emirates Hospital offers the best value gastric balloon package in the Middle East with a quality of care that is second to none. No other provider can provide the unique combination for success of balloon and expert aftercare and support.

  
As the gastric balloon is only a temporary intervention, the aftercare and support you receive through behavioral change is crucial to your success.

  
The skills and confidence you will learn as you follow the CosmeSurge^® weight management will prevent you from reverting to old habits and will be the difference between long term success or failure.

The initial balloon placement including the cost of the balloon, gastroenterologist fees, hospital fees including the intravenous sedation is 18,000 Derhams (5000 USD). You are expected to need 2-4 adjustments over the following year, each adjustment takes ten minutes under a short and quick IV sedation costing 2000 Derhams (700 USD). Removal of the balloon cost 5000 Derhams (1350 USD). The estimates total cost over one year is about 29000 Derhams or about 8500 USD. The program cost include follow up by the nutritionist for a full year.

Benefits of a Gastric Balloon

  
General benefits

• NEW Long-Life, Adjustable Balloon -

• It is NOT surgery - the day case procedure takes approximately 20 minutes

• Lowest cost procedure available

• You will lose weight - how much depends on you but average over 6mths is 2-3 stones

• You will be supported for 12 months by CosmeSurge^® - the UAE's largest provider of cosmetic surgery, dermatology, lasers, weight management and wellness

  
Health benefits

 
The health benefits of the gastric balloon are those associated with any method of weight loss, including an improvement in the following:

• Diabetes

• Hypertension (raised blood pressure)

• Sleep apnea

• Mobility

Self-esteem

What Are The Risks?

  
The gastric balloon procedure itself is simple and serious complications are uncommon. We believe it's important for you to have the full picture; however, so possible complications are listed below:

• Gastric discomfort; nausea and vomiting are common for the first few days following balloon placement. A feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, abdominal or back pain, gastro-esophageal reflux or indigestion have also been reported. There is a risk that the patient will not be able to tolerate the balloon in the stomach which with a standard balloon would result in its removal. The new adjustable balloon enables fluid to be removed from the balloon to manage patient comfort and eliminate early removal

    

• There is a theoretical risk that the balloon could rupture and enter the bowel. If this occurred it would usually pass through the bowel and be expelled naturally but there is a risk, albeit extremely small, that the ruptured balloon could obstruct the bowel. The new adjustable balloon has a design safety feature that completely eliminates this risk.

    

• Nowadays implantation of the balloon is a very safe procedure and complications are rare. In the study of 714 patients (Lopezet al), implantation was successful in every case and overall complication rates were very low.

Aftercare

  
Most gastric balloon providers offer support for just 3-6 months but at Emirates Hospital and CosmeSurge^® Clinics we understand that long term success comes from a sustained lifestyle change.

  
How can habits that took a lifetime to form be broken in just six months?
That's why we support you for 12 months. With our program you are not on your own - we support you every step of the way whilst the balloon is in place and crucially after it is removed, ensuring you don't revert to old ways and put weight back on. With our weight loss expertise and unique program of support, we can make the balloon work hard for you to deliver long term weight loss success.

 
Our 12 Month Aftercare Package includes:

• Detailed diet program for crucial first six weeks

• Weekly call from our dietician or life coaching expert for first three months

• 24 hour Emergency Helpline while balloon is in place. We're always there!