Gastric Balloon - What Are The Risks?

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.