The Clinic at Beverly Hills

Call: (647) 352–3233 | Fax: (416) 630–6415

Patient Login
Staff Schedule

How Do Gastric Balloons Work?

How Do Gastric Balloons Work?

Weight loss can be a challenging journey for many individuals. While there are various options available, not everyone wants to undergo a surgical procedure to achieve their desired results, nor may the require it or be eligible for such a surgery.

This is where gastric balloons come in as a non-surgical weight loss solution accessible to a wider population of individuals eager to aid in their weight loss journey. But what exactly are gastric balloons and how do they work for weight loss?

Let’s take a closer look, shall we?!

What are Gastric Balloons?

A gastric balloon is a silicone or elastomer device filled with air or saline solution and is inserted into the stomach strategically to take up space and reduce food intake. There are two main types of gastric balloons in that of the single-balloon system and the dual-balloon system.

  • The single-balloon system: is a single, larger balloon that is inserted into the stomach.
  • The dual-balloon system: consists of two smaller balloons that are inserted into the stomach.

As for acting as an aid in weight loss, the gastric balloon works exactly as suggested above; by taking up space in the stomach and reducing the amount of food that can be consumed during a meal.

The gastric balloon works as a mechanical barrier between the food and the receptors in the stomach that signal fullness, thus resulting in the patient ultimately eating in a caloric deficit and losing weight.

As for any weight loss strategy, the gastric balloon, though advantageous in many respects, doesn’t come without its disadvantages…

Advantages of Gastric Balloons:

  • They are a non-surgical option for weight loss
  • The procedure is minimally invasive
  • Patients typically return to their normal activities within a few days
  • A short procedure time, taking less than an hour to insert.
  • Shown to be effective in producing significant weight loss results

Disadvantages of Gastric Balloons

  • Some patients may experience nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
  • Gastric balloons are a short-term solution for weight loss
  • Requires significant lifestyle changes

If you or someone you know is undergoing a gastric balloon treatment for weight loss, it’s imperative to work with a medical professional and even a nutritionist to ensure reduced portion sizes and the adoption of a healthy diet is achieved. Then and only then will your weight loss goals be achieved in tandem.

In Conclusion

Gastric balloons are a non-surgical option for individuals looking to achieve weight loss. The balloons work by taking up space in the stomach and reducing food intake, resulting in weight loss.

While there are potential risks and complications associated with gastric balloons, they offer a short procedure time and have been shown to be effective in producing satisfactory weight loss results to those who follow strict lifestyle changes after the procedure.

Dr. Ravi Kumar completed his Bachelor of Health Sciences at McMaster University. He then pursued his Medical Doctorate and Urology residency at The University of Ottawa. He subsequently completed a fellowship in Urologic Oncology and Robotic Surgery at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre at the University of Toronto. During his fellowship, he obtained a Master of Engineering from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto. He is the co-lead author of the Canadian Urological Association/American Urological Association guideline on the diagnosis and management of adrenal masses.

Dr. Kumar treats a wide variety of urologic conditions including BPH and kidney stones, with a special focus on delivering cutting-edge care for prostate cancer, kidney cancer and bladder cancer.

Dr. Ashwin Maharaj obtained his undergraduate degree in Biology/Physiology from the University of Western Ontario (BSc). e became certified through is a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and was certified as fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and recently recertified. He is a member of the Canadian Association of General Surgeons. His current clinical interests are devoted to outpatient acute and chronic gastrointestinal medicine/surgery as well as abdominal wall hernia surgery and practices in certified facilities in Toronto. He has research experience in gastrointestinal disease as well as surgical education teaching resident surgeons and medical students.

Dr. Diana Magee completed her undergraduate education at Cornell University followed by a Master of Public Health degree at Boston University. She received her medical degree from Queen’s University and completed her urology residency at the University of Toronto. While in residency she enrolled in the Surgeon Scientist program and completed her Master of Science in Health Services Research. She completed her fellowship in urologic oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Dr. Magee’s area of expertise is in the management of urologic cancers as well as performing minimally invasive surgery.

Dr. Pianezza completed his medical degree (MD) at the University of Ottawa in 2002. He became a member of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCSC). He then completed a one-year fellowship in minimally invasive surgery and endourology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton in 2008.

Dr. M. Pianezza has been a staff urologist in Sudbury at the Health Sciences North since January 2010. He was Head of Urology from February 2013 to September 2016. He is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Dr. Heimrath completed his medical school at the University of Ottawa, his surgical residency at McGill University, and his Endourology, Minimally Invasive, and Robotics Fellowship at the University of Toronto. Dr. Heimrath’s areas of expertise include the management of complex kidney stones and urologic cancers as well as performing minimally invasive surgery. Since 2016, Dr. Heimrath has worked overseas in Malawi and Rwanda to explore opportunities to build urologic and surgical capacity in the developing world. He is a partner in the Urology Global Surgery initiative at the University of Toronto and holds a lecturer appointment with the University of Toronto.

Endoscopy

Procedures & Conditions Treated

Learn more

SIBO for IBS

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a clinical condition characterized by a malabsorption syndrome due to an increase in microorganisms within the small intestine.

Learn more

Gastric ballon

The Clinic at Beverly Hills offers patients the option between two industry leading gastric balloon procedures. The traditional endoscopy guided Orbera Gastric Balloon and the revolutionary swallowable Allurion Gastric Balloon.

Learn more

Laser Hemorrhoid Treatment

Hemorrhoids are a natural part of the human body and, when healthy, assist with the closure of the anus.

Hemorrhoids are vascular cushions that move blood to and from the anus and help support the function of the sphincter. Most people think of hemorrhoids as the disorder known as hemorrhoids or piles.

Learn more

Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress Urinary incontinence (SUI) means the uncontrollable loss of urine – an involuntary loss or leakage of urine during precipitating activities like coughing, laughing, sneezing, straining, exercising etc. Early signs of SUI are complaints relating to dysuria, frequency, and urgency. At TCBH Surgical Centre, we offer two treatment options for Stress Urinary Incontinence.

Learn more

iTind

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition in which your prostate grows in size. Your prostate is a gland that rests below your bladder and in front of your rectum. It’s about the size of a walnut, and it surrounds part of your urethra. Your urethra is a tube that carries urine and sperm (ejaculate) out of your body. If your prostate grows in size, it can prevent urine and ejaculation from passing through your urethra. BPH is not cancerous. However, symptoms of BPH may indicate more serious conditions, including prostate cancer. TCBH Surgical Centre provides two treatment options.

Learn more

Rezum Water Therapy

How The Rezum™ Water Vapor Therapy Works

  • RezumTM Water Vapor Therapy is a novel technology that helps people who are suffering from BPH symptoms.
  • In each application, sterile water vapor is released to the targeted prostate tissue. When the steam turns back into the water, all the stored energy is released, causing the cells to die.
  • Over time, your body’s natural healing response removes the dead cells, shrinking the prostate. With the extra tissue removed, the urethra opens, reducing BPH symptoms.
  • The maximum benefit may occur within three months.
    Patients’ responses to treatment can and do vary.
Learn more

Nanoknife for Prostate Cancer

NanoKnife or Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) consists of placing a number of electrodes into the prostate to surround the area of significant cancer.

Short pulses of electricity using very high voltage are passed between the electrodes. This causes micropores to occur in all cells, including the cancer cells, which lead to their death.

Learn more

Dr. Luke Fazio is the current Chief of Urology at Humber River Hospital. Dr. Fazio received his medical degree from McGill University in 1999. Following this, he finished his Endourology and Minimally Invasive fellowship at the University of Toronto. As the Urology Medical Director, he has brought many minimally invasive programs to TCBH and is working on future projects. He currently sits on numerous committees and is an advocate for innovation in healthcare. He is the physician lead for the Da Vinci Robotic Surgery Program. He also is the Chair of the Innovation Committee.

Dr. Bhargava has a primary focus of providing care for her patients in the form of minimally invasive procedures and cutting edge technology. She is the Medical Director of TCBH Surgical Centre (The Clinic at Beverly Hills Healthcare) and has been instrumental in bringing Laser Hemorrhoid Treatment to her Centre.

Achievements:
Dr. Bhargava completed both her medical school and surgical residency at the University of Western Ontario. In addition to her Bariatric fellowship, she has also completed Minimally Invasive fellowship at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio.
Dr. Bhargava has published multiple research papers and lead articles.

Memberships:
Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Association of General Surgeons, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, and American Society of Bariatric Surgery