The gastric balloon system is designed to assist with weight loss in people who are overweight or obese and who have failed to obtain prolonged weight loss with other weight control programs. People who have a BMI greater than 28 with or without co-morbidities may benefit from the intragastric balloon. You can find your BMI on the chart provided here by locating your height across the top row and your weight down the side. The number in the chart where your height and weight meet is your BMI. If the corresponding number is above 35 then you may be a candidate for this procedure.

With the gastric balloon system, individuals can achieve a feeling of satiety when eating, lose more weight than with other diet programs and be supported by a team of medical experts. Our Toronto and Mississauga intra-gastric balloon patients learn fundamental principles for long-term success and enjoy the benefits of a non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical approach.

The gastric balloon system may also be useful for people considered too overweight and thus at increased risk for surgical procedures such as joint replacement or other bariatric surgery. The pre-operative use of the intragastric balloon system to successfully reduce weight may help reduce the risks associated with surgical procedures on overweight patients.

The Best Candidates for the Gastric Balloon System:

• Patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 27

• Patients between the ages of 18 and 60

• Patients with a history of demonstrated failure in maintaining weight loss with non-surgical weight loss methods

• Patients with a BMI 35 of greater who need to lose weight in order to reduce risk for surgical procedures such as joint replacement or back surgery

• Patients who are not currently pregnant and have no intention of becoming pregnant in the 12 months following intragastric balloon placement

• No previous bariatric surgery, intestinal obstruction, or adhesive bowel problems

• No history of chronic or current use of high doses of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflamitory Drugs and or aspirin

Non-Candidates for an Gastric Balloon:

• Patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI)

lower than 27

• Patients with eating disorders such as bulimia

• Patients with inflammatory disease of the GI tract including esophagitis, gastric ulceration, duodenal ulceration, or specific inflammation such as Crohn's disease

• Patients with potential upper gastrointestinal bleeding such as esophageal or gastric varices

• Patients with congenital or acquired abnormalities of the G.I. tract such as large hiatus hernia, atresias or stenoses

• Patients who are emotionally unstable or exhibit psychological characteristics which may interfere with compliance with the intragastric balloon

• Patients who are dependent on alcohol or illicit drugs

• Patients whose poor general health would preclude surgery should a complication occur

• Certain patients that have had previous open abdominal surgery or bowel surgery