What To Expect
Initial Consultation
During the initial consultation, one of our staff members will evaluate your medical history and conduct a brief physical examination to assess your eligibility for weight loss treatment. You will be informed of the benefits and risks of Spatz3 treatment, as well as other medical weight loss options and their benefits and risks. It is crucial to understand how the gastric balloon works in order to meet your long-term weight loss goals. We also encourage you to discuss your eating habits, health conditions, and weight loss goals during your Spatz3 consultation.
Pre-Screening Assessment
At AGH of Greater Washington, our healthcare professionals strive to help patients meet their weight loss goals. To ensure successful results, we conduct a pre-screening assessment. Because every patient is unique, every assessment is, too. Depending on your medical history, we may order blood tests, X-rays, dietary assessments, and more.
Non-Surgical Procedure
Spatz3 is inserted endoscopically with the aid of conscious sedation. Through this non-invasive outpatient procedure, we place the gastric balloon inside the stomach and inflate it with saline. The insertion process takes about 15 minutes, and you’ll be released within an hour.
Just as Spatz3 is easy to insert, it’s also easy to deflate and remove. Whether you reach your weight loss target, find that Spatz3 isn’t working for you, or something else comes up, we can take the balloon out at any time.
After the Insertion
Following the insertion procedure, it’s common for patients to experience discomfort for the first three to five days. Symptoms often include nausea, cramping, vomiting, and heartburn, but they typically subside within a week. While we cannot eliminate the risk of side effects, our gastroenterology team will make every effort to reduce them, including offering medication to relieve nausea before it sets in.
For the first three days post-insertion, a liquid-only diet is required. Patients must gradually progress to a semi-solid diet, but within two weeks, most can resume their normal, solid diets.
Adjustment and Removal
Should you experience excessive or persistent nausea, vomiting, or pain, the volume of your Spatz3 balloon can be adjusted during a 15-minute endoscopy procedure. Prior to your adjustment, a three-day liquid diet is required. You must also fast beginning at midnight the night before your adjustment. Similar to the initial insertion procedure, the adjustment is non-invasive and non-surgical.
Once your medical weight loss treatment has been completed or you’re ready to have Spatz3 taken out, we can remove the adjustable gastric balloon via endoscopy in yet another non-invasive and non-surgical procedure. Prepare with a three-day liquid diet and fast starting at midnight the night before. Expect to be discharged within an hour upon removal.