Gastric Balloon Surgery Cost in Bangalore

What is a Gastric Balloon?

A gastric balloon is a long-lasting, smooth, and soft silicone rubber balloon. Its purpose is to decrease the stomach's capacity so that you can feel satisfied after eating less. The doctor uses an endoscope, which is a thin, flexible tube, to deliver the deflated balloon via the mouth and into the stomach.

After that, the balloon is filled with saline solution, or saltwater, to take up space in the stomach and reduce the amount of room available for heavy meals and beverages. The goal is to make you feel fuller after eating fewer meals more quickly and to help you feel fuller for longer, which will reduce your hunger in between meals.

Gastric Balloon Surgery Procedure

The two significant types of gastric balloon surgery have different methods. Here we have briefly explained both.

Endoscopic gastric balloon surgery:

• It takes 15 to 20 minutes to execute the minimally invasive, outpatient operation in an endoscopy center to insert the gastric balloon using an endoscope. 
• The physician utilizes an endoscope, a flexible, thin, light-equipped camera instrument, to insert the balloon into the stomach. 
• After being sedated, you will lie on your side and the physician will do the operation.
• After the balloon is positioned, saline is injected into it via the catheter until it reaches a size similar to a grapefruit.
• The balloon self-seals via a valve, allowing the doctor to remove the catheter using an endoscope.
• The filled balloon remains in the stomach when the doctor removes the endoscope and catheter.

Allurion gastric balloon surgery:

• The Allurion Balloon is a weight-loss device that comes in pill form that you can consume and it will convert into a gastric balloon in your stomach.
• The balloon will gradually inflate decreasing your appetite and stay in your stomach for 6 months. After that, it will deflate and pass with stool.

Effectiveness of Gastric Balloon Procedure

Effectiveness of endoscopic balloon: 

With the intragastric balloon, the majority of patients lose a considerable amount of weight, sufficient to alleviate many of the physical and psychological symptoms associated with obesity. The typical weight loss of 10% is greater than what most people can accomplish with lifestyle changes. People may get a realization from this experience that inspires them to keep up or perhaps increase their weight loss.

However, the process itself isn't permanent, and after the treatment is over, there's nothing stopping you from gaining the weight back. According to recent research, only a small percentage of patients continue to lose weight after using an intragastric balloon for five years. For a longer-term fix, some patients have additional balloon treatments, while others opt for weight loss surgery or medication.

Effectiveness of allurion balloon:

Particularly in the first three to four months of using the allurion gastric balloon, you probably will lose weight quickly. By the time the six-month program ends, most participants lose between 10 and 15% of their body weight.

A complete weight loss strategy may include the gastric balloon as one component. In addition, your physician could suggest further medical, behavioral, or dietitian care to assist in maintaining long-term good eating and exercise routines and to help keep you from gaining weight once the balloon is removed.

Factors Affecting the Gastric Balloon Surgery Cost in Bangalore

There are several reasons why the cost of a swallowable weight loss balloon in Bangalore fluctuates. Among the common factors affecting it are:

• Cost of Consultation: The cost of a doctor's consultation is an important consideration in healthcare. More experienced balloon procedure surgeons will bill more than less experienced ones.
• Patient's Age and Condition: The total cost of care is increased during and after medical operations for older patients and those with compromised health.
• Hospital Type and Location: The cost of an intragastric balloon is affected by recent infrastructural and healthcare facility developments in Bengaluru. In the city, medical services that are easily accessible charge more.
• Type of Balloon: The patient will have one of six different types of balloons placed into their stomach by the doctor during the weight reduction balloon operation. It also establishes the overall cost.
• Diagnostic Tests: The patient must go through a series of clinical examinations to determine their general state of health before having any medical operations. It will increase the overall costs as well.
• Complications: Without complications, surgery cannot occur. The entire cost will also be impacted by the expense of the treatment needed to mitigate the procedure's side effects.
• Diet and Nutrition Costs: After the weight loss balloon procedure, patients will need to maintain a balanced diet in order to get the best results. Thus, in addition to providing patients with daily weight monitoring devices, the doctor also gives food and nutrition suggestions. The final bill will contain its cost.

Diagnostic Tests Required Before Gastric Balloon Surgery

Prior to any procedure, doctors typically recommend a few tests; this also applies to gastric balloon surgery. Among the tests that are frequently recommended are,

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): This test helps the doctor get a count of the white and red blood cells in your blood. A complete blood count can cost anywhere between INR 400 to INR 550.
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): This test measures the 14 different substances in your blood to identify any underlying conditions. A comprehensive metabolic Panel can cost anywhere between INR 3800 to INR 5800.
• MRI scan: MRI offers excellent visualization of gastric balloons in obese patients. It can show the degree of filling and any leaks in the gastric balloon. An MRI scan can cost you around INR 4200 to INR 5500.
• Lipid profile: A blood test for cholesterol, also known as a lipid profile, measures the amount of cholesterol and other fats in your blood. A lipid profile can cost anywhere between INR 380 to INR 550.
• Thyroid Function Test: This test helps doctors check the function of thyroid glands in the body. A thyroid function test can cost anywhere between INR 420 to INR 500.
• CT Scan: This test provides the surgeon with detailed images of your bones and other body parts. A CT scan costs somewhere between INR 1600 to INR 5800.
• Coagulation Tests: This test helps evaluate the time for blood clotting. Coagulation tests can cost anywhere between INR 1599 to INR 3900.
• Abdominal Ultrasound or CT Scan: It helps the surgeon get a look into your stomach. An abdominal ultrasound can cost anywhere between INR 1400 to INR 1800.
• Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy: During a gastrointestinal endoscopy, an endoscope is used to allow your surgeon to visually inspect your upper digestive tract. GI endoscopy can cost anywhere between INR 4400 to INR 7400.

Benefits of Gastric Balloon Surgery

The type of balloon used in gastric balloon surgery can often affect its results. Some of the common advantages are,

Allurion balloon surgery:

• The fact that the Allurion Balloon method is non-invasive and non-surgical is one of its biggest benefits. This implies a short recovery period and the absence of scars, stitches, or incisions.
• Compared to some other weight loss procedures, the Allurion Balloon has a far shorter treatment period—just 16 weeks.
• An extensive support package, which includes fitness advice, nutrition counseling, and access to a dedicated app for tracking progress, is included with the Allurion Balloon.

Endoscopic balloon surgery:

• A gastric balloon requires no surgical intervention.
• It is possible to remove the temporary gastric balloon.
• Compared to surgery, the cost of a gastric balloon operation is lower.
• Even in cases where surgery is not an option for you, you might qualify for a gastric balloon.
• Real weight loss benefits are possible with gastric balloons.

Risks and Complications of Gastric Balloon Surgery

Despite the fact that intragastric balloons are usually regarded as safe and well-tolerated, it's crucial to be aware of the possibility of rare but dangerous adverse effects. Although they are rare, these intragastric balloon side effects should be discussed with your healthcare physician prior to the treatment.

• Sedation during balloon insertion carries some risks, such as allergic responses, breathing issues, and cardiovascular issues. To reduce these risks, it's critical to adhere to all pre-procedure recommendations given by your healthcare team.
• In addition, the endoscopic operation used to implant and remove the balloon carries a slight risk of bleeding or infection. Although incredibly rare, stomach or esophageal tears can happen occasionally.
• Rarely, the balloon can deflate before its time, which could reduce its ability to aid in weight reduction.
• Another possible consequence is stomach ulceration, however, this is also rather uncommon. 
• Rarely, gastric outlet blockage can happen, in which case the balloon must be taken out quickly. 
• Although incredibly rare, stomach perforation and bowel obstruction are significant problems that may need emergency medical intervention.

The cost of the different elements of Gastric Balloon Surgery in Bangalore

The type of balloon utilized, the post-surgery instructions, and the initial diagnostic tests given by the physician make up the intragastric balloon cost breakdown. An approximate distribution is given below.

• Pre-operational Counseling: Before opting for surgery you will need to consult a doctor for details. Although the cost of this consultation may differ, it typically ranges from INR 900 to INR 1500.
• Diagnostic Tests: It is mandatory to have a bunch of tests before the actual surgical procedure to properly evaluate the patient’s fitness. These tests can cost anywhere from INR 3000 to INR 5000.
• Gastric Balloon Procedure: The most significant portion of the total cost is of the gastric balloon operation itself. This mainly includes the cost of the balloon and other charges. Gastric Balloon surgery typically costs around INR 1,50,000 to INR 3,00,000 in Bangalore.
• After-procedure Care and Monitoring: Patients will need to attend regular follow-up appointments after treatment in order to monitor their progress, have the balloon removed after six months, and make dietary and activity adjustments. These follow-up visits can cost anywhere from INR 1500 to INR 2200.