It’s easy!
Removing an intragastric balloon involves a simple endoscopic procedure with sedation. You will be breathing on your own, but the sedation drugs will make sure you are not feeling any pain and are not aware of what is going on.
It’s important to take some steps to make sure there is no solid food present in your stomach that could lead to aspiration into your lungs at the time of removal. If you do not follow these steps, we may be unable to remove your balloon(s) which means we would have to do another removal procedure after your stomach is emptied.
You need to begin a medication called Reglan 48 hours prior to your balloon removal. We typically send a prescription for this at the time of your insertion, but if not please contact us with your pharmacy info so that we can arrange this.
You should also refrain from solid foods for 48 hours before the procedure. During this time it is helpful to take frequent sips of Diet Pepsi, Diet Coke or Coke Zero. This is to prevent any food from being present in the stomach on the day of your balloon removal, which could lead to aspiration into your lungs. The carbonation in the diet soda helps to clean the balloon and also move solid food out of the stomach. You should also having nothing at all to eat or drink for 12 hours prior to the procedure as you will be sedated.
First your doctor will remove the saline or gas from the balloon(s), then remove them. The process should take 20-30 minutes and you will be observed for a time afterward to ensure that you are able to be released.
Someone will need to be available to drive you home!
After the Intragastric Balloon is Removed
After your balloon is removed we highly recommend enrolling in one of our medical weight loss programs to help increase your success in keeping the weight off. Click here for more info!