Tolerance of intragastric balloon and patient's satisfaction in obesity treatment

INTRODUCTION: The dietary management of obesity is associated with a high failure rate. Methods which enable the long-term reduction of food intake have been developed. Patients treated with an intragastric balloon may experience some unwanted symptoms during therapy. The severity of these symptoms may result in poor tolerance of treatment, while patients who do not experience these symptoms may refuse to follow dietary modifications. In these cases, weight reduction at the end of treatment may be below expectations. AIM: To assess the tolerance of intragastric balloon treatment in obese patients as well as their satisfaction with this treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-seven gastric balloon procedures were performed in 51 females and 6 males aged 17 to 65 years (39.5 ±10.7 years). Baseline weight was 104 ±14.5 kg (78–140 kg), body mass index 37.2 ±4.1 kg/m(2) (29.8–48.1 kg/m(2)), mean excess body weight 41.2 ±11.5 kg (20.4–63.1 kg). The balloon was filled with 669 ±25.8 ml of saline solution (550–700 ml). Upon balloon removal 6 months later, the patients completed a 12-question survey. RESULTS: We obtained 57 surveys. The most common symptoms included vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain and others. Twenty-two patients reported > 2 symptoms. Two patients were symptom-free. The mean duration of symptoms was 24.8 days. Patients reported better control of hypertension, diabetes and resolution of obstructive sleep apnoea and joint symptoms. Only 14 patients did not observe any significant improvement in their bodily function. Fifty-four patients expressed satisfaction after treatment, 6 patients were dissatisfied with the weight loss, and 5 patients would not opt for balloon re-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The balloon treatment is a safe and well-tolerated therapy with a low complication rate.