BioEnterics® Intragastric Balloon (BIB®) System- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How much weight will I lose?

A: You can experience significant weight loss averaging between 15-20 kilos; however, your results will depend on how well you follow the program and adjust your eating habits.

Q: Will I be able to feel the balloon in my stomach?

 A: There will be discomfort during the first few days. After that, the primary sensation of the BIB is a feeling of satiety.

Q: Are there side-effects or complications with the BIB?

A: The first three days will be very difficult. Cramping, nausea and vomiting are normal and should be expected. It is very important that you follow your doctor’s instructions and drink plenty of fluids. Medication may be available to help ease the discomfort.

Q: How long will it take to recover after the procedure?

A: You should plan at least three days of inactivity to recover from the procedure. You will be able to resume normal activity sooner or later than this depending on how quickly your body adjusts to the BIB.

Q: How will the weight-loss results compare with other diet programs?

A: You can expect to lose more weight with the BIB. Because the BIB gives you a feeling of satiety, you are better able to control your eating and make healthy changes in your habits.

Q: Does the BIB require frequent visits to my doctor after the procedure?

A: The follow-up program is critical to success with the BIB and in learning new lifestyle skills. You will meet with your physician and support team at least monthly while the BIB is in place. During this time your progress will be evaluated and you will learn valuable principles of health, nutrition, and exercise that will provide you a foundation for long-term success.

Q: Does the BIB limit activity?

A: The first week you should not plan any heavy activity. Once your body has adjusted to the BIB, you can continue your normal activities. Starting a regular exercise program is highly recommended and will improve your success.

Q: What happens if the BIB leaks?

A: If the BIB leaks, you will notice a change in your urine color (it will be greenish). Although very uncommon, this can be a serious situation. If you notice a change in urine color, you must call your doctor immediately. If the BIB deflates, it will likely pass through your body naturally, but in some cases it may need to be removed by your doctor.

Q: Can I drink alcohol?

A: Alcohol in moderation is fine.

Q: Can I eat anything I want? Are there any food restrictions?

A: You will not feel like eating as much as you used to. In addition, if you eat fatty foods or sweets, you may feel sick. Excessive overeating while the BIB is in place can be dangerous and can result in a serious medical condition.

Q: How is the BIB removed?

A: The BIB is removed through the mouth in the same manner it was inserted. The 20-minute procedure is performed under sedation.

Q: Must I participate in the follow-up visits to be successful?

A: The BIB is not a magic pill, but a tool to change your lifestyle. Taking part in the program will give you the education and support to change your lifestyle habits and have a better chance for long-term success.

How Does the BIB® System Work?

The BIB® System is designed to make compliance with a supervised diet and behavior modification program easier. The balloon partially fills the stomach and patients report that they have a feeling of fullness.

How Is the BIB® System Balloon Placed in the Stomach?

The balloon is introduced into the stomach through the mouth without the need for surgery. The physician conducts an initial examination of the stomach using an endoscopic camera. If no abnormalities are observed, the physician proceeds with placement of the balloon through the mouth and down the oesophagus into the stomach. The balloon is made of a soft and pliable silicone elastomer material and is inserted while in its smallest, deflated form. The swallowing process is made easier with the help of anaesthetics applied topically to numb the throat area. Muscle relaxing medications are also used.

Once the balloon is inside the stomach, it is immediately filled with sterile saline through a small filling tube (catheter) attached to the balloon. Once filled, the doctor removes the catheter by gently pulling on the external end. The balloon has a self-sealing valve, and at this point the balloon is floating freely in the stomach.

Placement times vary but it will usually take 20-30 minutes, after which you will be monitored by the physician for a short time and then may return home.

Who Can Use the BIB® System?

The BIB® System is designed to assist with weight loss in people who are at least 40% above their ideal weight (as defined by the Metropolitan Life Insurance 1983 Weight and Frame tables) and who have failed to obtain prolonged weight loss with other weight control programs.

The BIB® System may be particularly useful for people considered too overweight or at increased risk for vital surgery. The use of the BIB® System to successfully reduce weight prior to surgery may help reduce the risks associated with surgical procedures on overweight patients.

How Long Is the BIB® System Balloon Used?

The balloon currently can be used for six months. Longer periods of use are not recommended. Over time the acidic content of the stomach will weaken the balloon material and cause the balloon to deflate. Should your physician recommend use of the balloon for longer than six months, it is necessary that the balloon be replaced with a new one when the six-month interval has been met.

While you are using the balloon, your physician may prescribe a course of oral medication to reduce your stomach acid (this may reduce the possibility of stomach irritation and damage to the balloon).

What Happens if the BIB® System Balloon Deflates Spontaneously?

If the balloon deflates before a scheduled removal you may or may not be aware that it has occurred. Your physician may place a colored dye inside the balloon in order to help you clearly identify early deflation by a change in the color of your urine.

The balloon is small enough that it may pass through the intestines and leave the body naturally, but there have been some cases in which it has had to be removed from the bowel surgically. If you suspect a deflation, you must notify your physician immediately.

How Will the BIB® System Balloon Be Removed?

The balloon is normally removed in the same way it was placed, via the oesophagus and mouth. Prior to removal, you will be given a muscle relaxant and a topical anesthetic will be applied to numb the throat. Using an endoscopic camera, the physician will introduce a catheter through the mouth and into the stomach. The balloon will then be punctured and deflated. Once the balloon is deflated it can be grasped and removed.

How Much Weight Will I Lose with the BIB® System?

It is important for you to understand that the BIB® System is an aid to weight loss and must be used in conjunction with a prescribed diet and behaviour modification program. Therefore, the amount of weight you lose will depend on how closely you follow your diet. How long you maintain weight loss will depend on how completely you adopt long-term lifestyle changes involving eating behavior and exercise.

Will I Regain My Weight after the BIB® System Balloon Is Removed?

Because the balloon in the stomach creates a feeling of fullness, it acts as an aid to weight reduction and may help you to adhere to a prescribed diet. You will have a much greater chance of maintaining your weight loss after balloon removal if you maintain and improve the diet and behavior changes you made while using the balloon.

What Unpleasant Effects Are Possible with the BIB® System?

It is very likely that the presence of the balloon in the stomach will cause nausea or vomiting for a few days after placement. Your physician can prescribe medication to alleviate these potential effects.

There exists the possibility that you will lose only a small amount of weight or lose no weight at all while using the balloon. Of course, as stated earlier, your commitment to dietary and behavioural changes is a pivotal factor in the outcome.

There is also the chance that unhealthy, uncontrolled weight loss will occur and create adverse health consequences. Be sure to speak with your physician about this.