Who Opts for a Stomach Balloon?

What sort of people decide that the stomach balloon is right for them? Well, let’s see. They are a very varied group. In fact, up to 30% of the population might qualify for a stomach balloon.  How do you measure up? You may be surprised.

The following are the common patient groups we see every day. Where do you fit in?

• The vast majority of our patients are perfectly ordinary average people, aged between 25 and 55, with a BMI between 30 and 40 - read Kelly's story

• Patients of whatever weight who have a specific reason why they have put on weight, and that reason has now gone (such as temporary immobility), and who wish to lose that weight quickly, efficiently, and safely - read Janice's story

• Patients with a BMI between 28 and 30 at first presentation, who are known long term yo-yo dieters, and that a BMI of 28 is their lowest and also very difficult (if not impossible) to maintain even for short periods. We would not recommend a balloon for patients with BMI's between 25 and 27 - read Rob's story

• Patients with a BMI of 27 or more who are also suffering from a significant weight related co-morbidity. The commonest co-morbidity that we see in this group is infertility assocatied with polycystic ovary syndrome - read Sophie's story

• Patients with a BMI over 40 who simply do not wish to undergo a more major surgical procedure for their obesity. After all, it is their choice - read Angela's story

• Patients with a BMI over 40 who are not fit enough medically to undergo more major obesity surgery - read Maggie's story

• Patients with a BMI over 40 who need to lose weight before they are able to undergo other non-obesity surgery; such as heart bypass surgery, or joint replacement - read John's story

• Patients with a very high BMI who need to lose weight quickly before they are deemed a reasonable risk for more definitive obesity surgery, which can then be carried out after the balloon has worked and been removed - read David's story