“On this journey, I lost 63 pounds with the Orbera balloon. I got my knee replacement and I am doing well. The balloon is a tool. Let’s be real, I could gain it back, but I am determined to be healthy with less weight and a new knee.”
Karla’s story:
“My name is Karla. I came to the Silhouette Clinic because I needed to lose weight before getting a badly needed knee replacement. I have lost 50 or more pounds several times in my life, always gaining it back and gaining, even more, each time. The thought of having another surgery to alter a perfectly good organ (my stomach) frightened me. As I was researching bariatrics I found the Orbera balloon and the Silhouette Clinic. Honestly, I was worried that even if I lost weight with this that I would gain it back like before and I would be embarrassed that I paid to have this and still “failed”.
On this journey, I lost 63 pounds. I got my knee replacement and I am doing well. The balloon is a tool. Let’s be real, I could gain it back, but I am determined to be healthy with less weight and a new knee. The procedure was not super easy, yet not like recovering from surgery. It is a process, not a quick fix. It has taken hard work, but the clinic provides so much support. It is never a problem to call or email people at the office. They will gladly talk to you to help you through any questions you have throughout your journey. I love the fact that even after the balloon comes out at 6 months, they still will work with you for the whole year. The dietician gets online with me once a month (or more if you want) and other staff still answer questions about medications or other supports that you need.
The staff and Dr. Charbel at the Silhouette Clinic are wonderful. It has been a great experience for me. I am healthier and happier because of it. I am still working hard to use the things they have taught me through the process. I highly recommend the Silhouette Clinic and the Orbera balloon to start your journey to learn healthier habits and lose weight.”
Karla, 2022
Preoperative weight loss
Joint replacement and other joint surgeries are the treatment of last resort for many people, especially those suffering from osteoarthritis.
But if you need knee or hip replacement surgery, and you struggle with excess weight, your physician may advise you to lose weight before any operation.
Why is that? Studies have shown that patients with a BMI (body mass index) above forty are more likely to experience significant complications during and after surgery compared to patients with lower BMIs. Hence, losing weight before joint replacement or other surgeries helps reduce the risk of complications and expedite the recovery process.
In cases where weight loss is needed before joint replacement, an intra-gastric balloon procedure would be an ideal tool to provide significant and rapid results.
Orbera balloon
Orbera is a gastric weight loss balloon that has been used with success in nearly three hundred thousand patients worldwide. It is the number one in global market share for intra-gastric balloons, with a more than twenty-year history.
Orbera is not just a balloon. It is a one-year-long program that helps you lose weight by changing your habits to guarantee long-term weight loss.
How does it work?
Once the patient is sedated and comfortable, the physician inserts the deflated gastric balloon orally via the esophagus and places it directly into the stomach. Then, with a syringe, the balloon is filled with a sterile saline solution, so it becomes approximately the size of a grapefruit.
The process takes about fifteen minutes, and no incisions, stitches, or scars are involved. Patients return home the same day. Once in place, the gastric balloon takes up space in the stomach thus making individuals consume less food and still feel satisfied and full.
For the next six months, the brain will train to anticipate when the stomach is becoming full in a better way. During this period, there will be open and constant communication and frequent face-to-face sessions with members of the care team which includes your doctor, nutritional coach, fitness trainer, or psychologist.
After six months, the balloon is removed. This is done through a simple non-invasive procedure similar to the placement process, only taking fifteen minutes. Meanwhile, the aftercare program continues for another six months, so the patient will still be working closely with the care team to adapt to a personalized diet and exercise program.
How much weight is lost?
With Orbera, weight loss is fast. The bulk of the weight loss occurs in the first three months. Studies have shown that people lost an average of thirteen percent of their body weight at six months, and on average, patients lost around three times more weight compared to those on a diet and workout program alone.
It is vital to understand that the balloon is a tool to help with weight loss and must not be used alone but in conjunction with diet, exercise, and a lifestyle modification program to maintain long-term results. Hence, the amount of weight lost and maintained will vary based on how closely patients follow their diet and adopt changes.
Who is it for?
The ideal candidate for Orbera is an adult with a BMI of thirty to forty who is ready to commit to a medically supervised program. On the other hand, individuals who have had prior stomach or bariatric surgeries are not eligible for the balloon. Similarly, pregnant or breastfeeding women are not eligible.
In all cases, a screening process will guide your physician to see if the procedure might benefit you.
Orbera is a one-year journey, and getting the most out of this process means having a team devoted to your success. Our team of professionals at The Silhouette Clinic, together with Obera, is ready to help you listen to your body, change your habits, and sustain that progress for the long term, always for a better you.