Adjustable 12-month balloon in Girona
The most complete gastric balloon in Girona
The only balloon in the world approved for 12 months
Volumen ajustable
Greater weight loss.
Up to 2 years of nutritional follow-up
The gastric balloon in Girona that adapts to you
In the search to improve balloons, the balloon with the longest stay in the stomach was born: the Spatz balloon, the only balloon in the world approved to remain for 12 months. This
balloon is placed in the same way as the 6-month balloon, by endoscopy without hospital admission.
The aim of this balloon is to reduce appetite, slow down gastric emptying and
break the vicious circle (hunger-anxiety-hunger)
Advantages of the Spatz 12-month Adjustable Balloon
Experience shows us that it is not only the length of time the balloon stays in the stomach that matters; it is also important to be able to adjust its volume,
to adapt to the balloon's tolerance, which is why with this balloon we can lose twice as much weight.
Depending on our patient's characteristics, together with our nutrition team we will decide whether it is time to change the size of the balloon; this may happen
between the 4th and 7th month after implantation.
The readjustment procedure is very short, about 15 minutes.
Intragastric balloon placement
FAQs about the 12-month balloon
What is the procedure like?
The Spatz™ Adjustable Balloon is a non-surgical treatment for weight loss and control. It is the only system that allows us to adjust the volume of the balloon, with an implantation period of one year. The intragastric balloon is a device that restricts the effective gastric cavity, so that by eating less food the patient feels full sooner.
It also works when the patient is fasting: the intragastric balloon is detected by the stomach walls and simulates a false feeling of fullness. This false fullness reduces the urge to eat between meals.
What are the advantages of the adjustable balloon?
- It is adjustable and customized for each patient.
- It is approved for a 1-year implantation.
The balloon offers the possibility of adjusting its volume once implanted, ensuring greater weight loss. An implantation period of 12 months gives the patient more time to learn and consolidate new behaviour and eating habits.
The procedure that has met the expected weight-loss goals for our patients requires a highly qualified specialist because of the greater technical difficulty of placing this balloon
How does the gastric balloon work?
The gastric balloon inside the stomach produces a constant feeling of fullness and makes you feel full easily with small amounts of food.
This is because the Gastric Balloon occupies 60% of the stomach capacity, reducing daily food intake very significantly.
This makes it very easy for the patient to follow a diet and a program of changes to eating habits and lifestyle.
How much weight can you lose with the gastric balloon?
The average weight loss with the Gastric Balloon is 20 kg. With excess weight of 30 kg or less, patients generally lose all of the excess. Some patients have lost more than 30 kg in BMI groups over 40. The ultimate goal in our Obesity Unit is for the patient to achieve significant weight loss with the Gastric Balloon and to maintain it over time through a lifestyle change and a return to normal eating habits, supported by the Multidisciplinary Group.
Who can use the gastric balloon?
The gastric balloon can be used by people who have not managed to lose weight significantly with other treatments and who are overweight by between 6 and 30 kg. It is also recommended for people who are more than 30 kg overweight and do not want to undergo the risks of surgery.
How are eating habits and lifestyle restored?
The treatment is accompanied by a multidisciplinary group of specialists, made up of a Nutritionist and an Endoscopic Surgeon, in order to support you throughout the treatment to recover an appropriate weight, good eating habits and physical activity.
The vast majority of patients who have undergone this method have not only lost weight significantly, but have also regained a healthy lifestyle.
How long is the gastric balloon used for?
The gastric balloon is recommended for 6 months, after which it must be removed, because the silicone material starts to weaken and may lose its contents.
If the patient needs greater weight loss than is generally achieved in 6 months (30 kg), a second Gastric Balloon can be placed at the time the first one is removed.
How is the gastric balloon removed?
The intragastric balloon is removed by endoscopy. It is done under deep sedation: a catheter is introduced to puncture the gastric balloon and deflate it completely. Finally, the intragastric balloon is grasped with an extraction forceps and removed through the mouth.
What symptoms does the placement of the gastric balloon cause?
In the first two days there is a feeling of fullness, accompanied on some occasions by vomiting and abdominal pain. These symptoms are controlled with medication, which in the vast majority of cases is not needed for more than two days.
From the third to the eighth day, in most cases full recovery is gradually achieved.
The symptoms after this period are generally mild and occasional, leaving the effect of the Gastric Balloon, which is feeling full easily with small amounts of food.
