The Elipse capsule gastric balloon is made of a thin, flexible polymer film and is ingested as a capsule without the need for surgery. The balloon is filled once it reaches a patient’s stomach to reduce hunger, and passes naturally through the GI tract after 4 months.
Anyone with BMI of 27% or more, few medical conditions may exclude the candidacy of some patients for this procedure.
No need for Endoscopy or Surgery or Anesthesia, it is engineered to have self-deflation after 4 months and passes out of the stomach and intestines by natural intestinal contractions. The procedure takes 15-20 minutes, where the balloon location confirmed by X ray.
Nausea/ vomiting, abdominal cramps, discomfort, bloating (with proper prescribed medications during the first few days, 80% of the side effects will not be experienced or would be mild).
Risk of partial deflation or occurrence of intestinal obstruction, is a theoretical risk, but it is extremely rare and can be managed when it is diagnosed early, especially if the patient screened properly prior to the procedure.
From prior studies, the average weight loss is 10%, and in some recent studies reached to 15% of total body weight, or average decrease of 20-50% of excess body weight.
Follow up by the dietician and the gastroenterologist for 6 months after elipse capsule swallowing yielded the best results.