Spatz3 Gastric Balloon For Weight Loss
What is Spatz3 balloon?
Spatz3 is the only Adjustable Gastric Balloon in the world, helping achieve optimal weight loss results while changing your attitude towards food.
Who is Spatz3 balloon for?
Spatz3 balloon is suited best for patients suffering from obesity who were not able to achieve their goals with diet and exercise alone. Spatz3 is ideal for patients who want a reversible tool to help kick-start their weight loss journey.
How does Spatz3 balloon work for weight loss?
The Spatz3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon is inserted during a 15-minute non-invasive outpatient procedure. No incisions or hospitalization is required. It is a walk-in, walk-out weight loss procedure. Spatz3 is the only adjustable gastric balloon on the market, helping our patients achieve more effective weight loss results. This allows patients to learn how to read their body’s signals and develop healthier eating habits that maintain weight loss after the balloon is removed.
Am I a candidate for Spatz3 balloon?
Our team will determine whether you are eligible for Spatz3 balloon placement after an initial assessment. You may be a candidate for Spatz3 balloon if you suffer from obesity (BMI of 30 or more) or from overweight (BMI 25-30) and have one or more weight-related comorbid conditions. If you have tried diet and exercise without success, the Spatz3 balloon might be the tool for taking control of your eating behavior.
For more information, please download the Spatz3 balloon treatment guide.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your adjustable gastric balloon can help you lose weight and transform your relationship with food. But approaching any surgery or procedure can be a nerve-wracking experience.
At the Silhouette Clinic, our team follows a defined series of steps to enable you to get the results you want. Here’s what to expect.
Before Your Gastric Balloon Procedure
The first step is to determine your eligibility during an initial consultation. During this consultation, your physician will review your medical history and make sure you are a good candidate for the Spatz3 balloon.
Some of the pre-screening tests performed include:
- Blood tests
- ECG if needed
- Dietary evaluation
Your physician will discuss the benefits, risks, and alternatives, and answer any questions you might have about how this gastric balloon works. Don’t worry if you are unsure about the idea or experiencing second thoughts. You will not be pressured to make a decision there and then. You have the right to change your mind about the procedure at any time.
The Procedure
Inserting the balloon into your stomach is designed to be fast and effective. Before your procedure, you should refrain from eating or drinking for twelve hours to make sure your stomach is empty and the procedure can be performed safely. You may be asked to stay on a liquid diet the day before the intragastric balloon placement. This will also help prevent nausea, a common post-procedure symptom.
You will be placed under sedation, and the deflated balloon will be inserted endoscopically. Once the balloon is in place inside your stomach, the balloon is filled with saline.
Since the Spatz balloon system is a medical, non-surgical procedure, you can be discharged within an hour or so.
Post-Procedure
For three to five days after the procedure, it is perfectly normal to experience some mild gastric balloon side effects, such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Cramping
- Heartburn
These symptoms typically resolve within a week. You will also be prescribed medications to relieve common symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
Note that for the first three days, you should eat a clear liquid-only diet followed by a full-liquid diet then a semi-solid diet. Expect to return to your usual solid diet within two weeks.
If you have any questions, your Silhouette Clinic physician and staff will be available to provide support and guidance.
Adjustment and Removal
Unlike traditional balloons, your gastric balloon can be adjusted to make it more comfortable and support your weight loss goals. The balloon is attached to a small catheter which allows us to add or remove fluid from the balloon.
We can adjust your balloon via a simple 15-minute endoscopy procedure if you experience prolonged/excessive nausea, vomiting, or pain. Moreover, you can also have your balloon’s volume adjusted if you reach a weight loss plateau before you lose enough weight.
To prepare for an upcoming adjustment procedure, ensure you maintain a liquid-only diet for three days prior to your appointment. Like with the placement of the balloon, you will be placed under sedation. The same conditions and preparations also apply to endoscopic balloon removal.
In all cases, expect to be discharged within the hour.
Pros
- Non-Invasive – This is a great option if you value a non-invasive approach to weight loss. This is an endoscopic procedure with no general anesthesia and no scalpels necessary.
- Non-Permanent – The intragastric balloon procedure is a non-permanent procedure, meaning your gastric balloon may be removed at any time without any lasting changes to your body.
- Incredible Weight Loss Results – Some of our patients have lost up to 25% of their starting weights with this simple procedure.
- On-Demand Removal – Want to remove the balloon? Get in touch, and we can schedule an appointment for the removal of the balloon as soon as possible.
- Affordability – The gastric balloon price is the lowest of any weight loss procedure. This makes it the most accessible weight loss option for ordinary Americans.
Cons
- Results Will Vary – Everyone is different, so you may lose less weight than someone else. Generally, we advise our patients that they can expect to lose 10% to 20% of their starting weights with an average weight loss of 15%. Some lose more, and some lose less.
- Long-Term Commitment – You can regain weight when your balloon is removed. This is why we strongly recommend that patients adopt a healthy diet and exercise plan together with a professional dietitian.
- Adjustment Period – No weight loss procedure comes without an adjustment period. Expect to wait up to two weeks before your body fully adjusts to the balloon.
- Intolerance – Unfortunately, some patients cannot tolerate the balloon, so you may need to explore other options if you fall into this category.
Spatz3 Success Stories
Our clinic is proud to support people in overcoming their weight loss plateaus and making them feel confident in their bodies again.
With a gastric balloon for weight loss, you can become one of the thousands who have experienced the stunning results of an adjustable weight loss balloon.
With the Spatz3 Adjustable Balloon, Efi lost over 100 lbs (47 kg) in less than 6 months!
“In only 6 months I lost 104 lbs. (47 kg) and kept them off with the Spatz Adjustable Balloon. It literally changed my life. I recommend this gastric balloon to anyone who needs to lose weight.”
Doctors are also raving about the advancements in weight loss technology and the improvements inherent in the Spatz3 adjustable balloon. According to Dr. Halim Charbel, founder of The Silhouette Clinic:
“I have used the Spatz3 adjustable balloon many times. The Spatz3 gastric balloon system is very easy to use. The design makes it safe and easy to place the balloon. The adjustability feature makes this gastric balloon versatile and gives me the reassurance that we can always down-adjust the size if the patient does not tolerate the balloon. We can also increase the balloon volume for added restriction and weight loss. The Spatz3 is now easier to insert, adjust and remove. The procedure time is shorter, and post-insertion side effects are less.”
WE’RE IN IT TOGETHER
Weight loss is a journey, and commitment is of paramount importance. At The Silhouette Clinic, we promise to provide you with all the tools and support you need to achieve your weight loss goals. We believe anybody can achieve their weight loss goals, and our team is determined to help you drop that unwanted weight.
With our simple, safe gastric balloon procedures, we have supported numerous patients in tackling their weight and changing their relationships with food. Our professionals have treated busy professionals, stay-at-home moms, and seniors with the latest in weight loss technology.
Contact the Silhouette Clinic today to find out if you are eligible for the most affordable weight loss procedure available.
Spatz3 Gastric Balloon FAQs
How Common is an Intragastric Balloon Adjustment?
Everyone is different, but your physician may adjust your balloon based on your symptoms, current weight, and goals. Rarely, some patients may have severe nausea and vomiting that do not resolve several days after insertion of the intragastric balloon. In these cases, the doctor can remove some fluid from the balloon to make it smaller and better tolerated. If you do not lose enough weight after the balloon placement, we can increase the volume of the balloon with saline to help you achieve weight loss goals. Thankfully, adjusting the Spatz3 intragastric balloon is a non-invasive 15-minute procedure, making it the most convenient of weight loss options.
How Much Does a Spatz3 Gastric Balloon Cost?
Prices of an intragastric balloon system range from $6,000 to $7,000. As the popularity of this weight loss procedure increases, prices are coming down across the board. Talk to us about the costs of having a Spatz3 intragastric balloon inserted and the financing options currently available.
What is the Recovery Like for a Spatz3 Gastric Balloon Procedure?
The Spatz3 balloon is designed to enable you to resume normal activities as soon as possible. Patients should plan two to three days off after the placement of an intragastric balloon to recover from the procedure. However, it largely depends on how quickly you adjust to the stomach balloon.
While the first few days may result in some discomfort, but nothing like what you would experience with weight loss surgery. After a few days, you shouldn’t be able to feel the balloon in your stomach. But you know it is there because you will begin to feel full sooner.
Will the Spatz3 Balloon Limit my Activities?
Only during the post-procedure recovery period after the balloon is placed. Following the initial recovery period, you can return to normal activities without worrying about your balloon. It is strongly recommended that patients begin an exercise plan to make the changes they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Additionally, you can eat anything you want after returning to a solid diet. Alcohol is also permitted, but Spatz recommends keeping your alcohol consumption to small, infrequent amounts due to the risk of ulceration.
How Much Weight Can I Lose with the Spatz3 gastric Balloon weight loss program?
During your initial consultation, your physician will help you set reasonable weight loss expectations. The value of the balloon is in acting as a tool to reach your weight loss goals, meaning you must also modify your behavior, change your diet, and engage in regular exercise. These lifestyle changes are important to ensure long-term weight loss.
Your weight loss will depend on how closely you follow your long-term lifestyle changes. However, most patients can expect to lose an average of 15% of their starting body weight. Be sure to speak to your doctor if you experience uncontrolled weight loss or continue gaining weight.
How Long Can the Spatz3 Intragastric Balloon Remain in My Stomach?
The maximum tolerated period for a Spatz3 intragastric balloon is 8 months, as approved by the FDA. Following these 8 months, your balloon will be removed. If you fail to maintain your long-term lifestyle changes, there is a chance you will gain the weight back.
The initial 8-month period is designed as an aide as you adjust your lifestyle and make the necessary changes to maintain weight loss.
How is the Spatz3 Balloon Different from Other Gastric Balloons For Weight Loss?
The Spatz3 intragastric balloon has been developed with several advantages that make it a more effective option than other gastric balloons.
First, this balloon is fully adjustable. It can be increased or decreased in volume as your needs change. It has also been approved to stay longer in the body compared to other products (Orbera balloon approved for 6 months) , maximizing your chances of losing your excess weight and achieving your weight loss goals.
Ordinary gastric balloons are non-adjustable, which is why so many patients achieve some initial weight loss but then find themselves plateauing. Longer implantation times also give you longer to adjust and adapt to your new lifestyle.
What are the Possible Side Effects of an Intragastric Balloon?
Most patients experience nausea, possibly vomiting, and abdominal pain for a few days after it has been implanted. This is why you will receive prescription medication to help minimize these symptoms.
Side effects after recovery largely depend on the food you eat, but some patients have reported bloating, gas, nausea, and heartburn.
Can I Continue to Lose Weight After I Get The Gastric Balloon Removed?
While placing an intragastric balloon is a temporary intervention, the weight loss does not have to be. The balloon itself can result in significant weight loss, but the gastric balloon program is designed to help you change your eating habits and your physical activity level to maintain the results long-term Moreover, the weight loss team will continue top work with you to help you lose more weight and achieve your goals. This can be achieved with continued efforts and also potentially with adding weight loss medications if needed.
Am I Eligible for a Gastric Balloon Procedure for Weight Loss?
If you have not been able to lose weight with diet and exercise alone, and you do. not qualify for bariatric surgery (such as a sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass) or you do not wish to undergo bariatric surgery, then Spatz3 gastric balloon may be right for you. The balloon may help you lose a significant amount of weight without invasive surgery. The Spatz balloon provides safe weight loss (average 15% total body weight loss) with a very low complication risk. It is important tom know that if you previously underwent metabolic and bariatric surgery or any kind of gastric surgery, you are not eligible for a gastric balloon placement and you may want to consider other options such as medical weight loss.
Financing
While the weight loss procedures we offer provide major health benefits beyond weight loss, they are not covered by insurance. However, we do offer financing:
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