Gastric Balloon for Weight Loss

A healthy diet is the perfect appetizer for a smart weight loss plan. But what happens when you eat right and you’re still hungry? Dr.Wael Kouli is serving up solutions.

Esthetica Center for Cosmetic Surgery offers a smorgasbord of options to help reduce fat and replenish vitality. With convenient locations in Newport Beach and San Diego, Esthetica proudly serves Southern California with cosmetic strategies to keep our community looking and feeling their best. 

To learn how Dr. Kouli can help you lose weight, contact our office at your earliest convenience. We also provide virtual consultations, so you can check in wherever you log on!

What Is a Gastric Balloon?

A gastric balloon is a safe, effective device that reduces one’s hunger by filling their stomach. The balloon is FDA-approved and works with the body to block hunger pangs at their source. The small orb gently expands in the stomach to create the illusion that it is satisfied. The stomach sends a signal to the brain that it does not need as much food as it normally would.

The presence of a gastric balloon in the stomach reduces overeating, which in turn leads to weight loss. 

Dr. Kouli will work closely with you to determine the proper schedule for your gastric balloon treatment. You may be administered up to three balloons over the course of six months. The gastric devices are by no means intended to replace a sensible diet and regular exercise. Instead, balloons may supplement your healthy lifestyle to deliver the weight loss results you desire.

Benefits

Feeling good is its own reward. Among the many benefits of gastric balloon treatment is the way it allows your body to find its own rhythm and calibrate its own appetites. Recipients of the Obalon balloon in our San Diego location experienced as much as twice the weight loss as those who had not tried the gastric supplement. 

BENEFITS OF THE GASTRIC BALLOON

To enjoy the benefits of gastric balloon treatment in Southern California, contact our team now!

Eligible Candidates

If you have struggled with overeating and want some help in your weight loss quest, then a gastric balloon may be ideal for you. Eligible patients are at least 30 pounds overweight and are willing to have a medical professional monitor their healthcare regimen. Candidates should not have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), inflammatory bowels, or compromised linings of the stomach or small intestines. 

Please inform your attentive Esthetica representative of any digestive condition you may have to determine your candidacy for gastric balloon insertion.

Private Consultation in Orange County

A meeting with Dr. Kouli is a rendezvous with your future. He can assess your weight loss goals and advise you on the best way to achieve your ideal self. Dr. Kouli is a board-certified surgeon, a leader in his field, and an accomplished academic. In addition to his many professional accolades, Dr. Kouli is also a great listener.

Feel free to ask plenty of questions during your consultation. If you are stumped, here are some conversation starters to move your discussion forward:

Please call our office to begin your weight-loss conversation. San Diego residents can reach us at (619) 836-1682, our Del Mar neighbors should call (858) 367-7514 and our Newport Beach number is (949) 721-1113. We are eager to chat and ready to help!

Preparation

Your preparation for gastric balloon treatment will be tailored to your anatomy. During your consultation, you will receive detailed instructions regarding the proper diet to follow in the days leading up to your initial gastric balloon treatment.

Dr. Kouli may advise you to stop taking blood thinners at least two weeks before experiencing the benefits of gastric balloon weight loss. Once you are ready to begin the insertion process, Dr. Kouli will explain every step in detail and help facilitate a happy, healthy procedure.

Gastric Balloon Procedure

From the moment you arrive for gastric balloon insertion, we want you to be comfortable. Ask as many questions as you want and express any concerns you may have. Once Dr. Kouli has answered your queries to your satisfaction, you can begin the insertion process.

You will swallow a small capsule attached to a micro-catheter. Your medical team will monitor the entire process by taking x-rays of your stomach to ensure the capsule has settled into your stomach as required. The capsule will dissolve naturally in your digestive system, triggering the balloon within it to inflate. The micro-catheter is then gently removed.

The gastric balloon insertion process only takes about ten minutes, but you may be asked to return for repeat procedures. Up to three balloons may be necessary over the course of six months to adequately address your appetite suppression needs.

Rapid Recovery

Since there is no anesthesia required for gastric balloon insertion, there is virtually no downtime involved. Some patients may experience minor discomfort in their abdominal region, but these issues should dissipate in a matter of days. The balloons used for weight loss are light and flexible, so they should work with your digestive system seamlessly. If you experience any continued discomfort, you can always contact our team. We want what is best for our patients and we will direct your correspondence to find the answers you deserve.

Amazing Results

A series of medical studies charted the progress of individuals who received gastric balloons to help with weight loss. Their body mass index (BMI) and overall health was assessed in intervals of 4, 8, and 12 weeks.^{[1, 2]} Across the board, participants enjoyed significant weight loss and negligible side effects as a result of gastric balloon insertion.

Studies may drive our knowledge, but satisfaction fuels our soul. We prioritize our patients’ happiness above all else. Take a look at our glowing reviews and see why we are so proud to serve Southern California.

Complementary Procedures 

Once you have lost the weight, you should celebrate! Show off your sleek new curves for all the world to see. If you encounter loose, sagging skin as a result of significant weight loss, then Esthetica Center for Cosmetic Surgery can help showcase your slim shape in all of its glory.

THIGH LIFT

The upper legs often accumulate excess bulk and wrinkled skin, even after massive weight loss. Dr. Kouli or one of his esteemed associates can address this issue with a thigh lift. After making a strategic incision, hidden along the natural folds of your body, the surgeon will remove excess fat cells and loose skin, then suture your contours back together to create a lifted, taut look.

TUMMY TUCK

The belly region is often #1 on most people’s list of “problem areas.” After you lose a significant amount of weight, the skin along your abdomen may be lax. To cinch up the midsection, consider a tummy tuck at Esthetica Center for Cosmetic Surgery. A tummy tuck contours the body by removing excess skin and fat, redraping and tightening as it goes.

LIPOSUCTION

As part of any lift procedure, you may receive liposuction to address lingering, unwanted fat. Even though you have done the work to lose several pounds, your fat cells may not be distributed exactly where you want them. By gently bathing bulky fat deposits with a tumescent liquid your Esthetica clinician will loosen and soften unwanted fat cells. The fat is then gently vacuumed from your body, leaving behind the shape you desire.

FAQ

HOW MUCH DOES A GASTRIC BALLOON PROCEDURE COST IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA?

Dr. Kouli is proud to provide the best weight loss solutions at the right price. The cost of your gastric balloon procedure will depend on your medical history and the number of visits you require. Esthetica Center for Cosmetic Surgery offers occasional specials, so check back often to take advantage of our seasonal discounts. 

IS A GASTRIC BALLOON SAFE?

Yes, gastric balloons are engineered to work harmoniously with your body to deliver magnificent weight loss results. The balloons do not alter your digestive system in any permanent or disruptive ways. Instead, they simply take up space in the stomach to help manage your appetite. When your stomach feels full, you eat less. To learn more about the benefits of the gastric balloon procedure, please contact Esthetica Center for Cosmetic Surgery.

References 

1. Mion, F., Ibrahim, M., Marjoux, S. et al. Swallowable Obalon® Gastric Balloons as an Aid for Weight Loss: A Pilot Feasibility Study. OBES SURG 23, 730–733 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-013-0927-x
2. V. Nobili,  C. Della Corte,  D. Liccardo,  A. Mosca,  R. Caccamo,  G. S. Morino,  A. Alterio,  F. De Peppo. (2014). Obalon intragastric balloon in the treatment of paediatric obesity: a pilot study. Pediatric Obesity. 10(5)e1-e4. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijpo.268