Gastric Botox vs. Gastric Balloon Which One Is Better?
Exploring Two Gastric Weight-Loss Procedures
Gastric weight-loss procedures can have a dramatic impact on an individual’s health and quality of life. Whether you’re considering losing weight for health reasons or aesthetic purposes, it’s important to choose a procedure that is safe, effective, and suitable for your lifestyle. This article will explore two gastroenterology procedures; gastric botox and gastric balloon, to help you determine which approach may be best for you.
What is Gastric Botox?
Gastric botox is a minimally-invasive weight-loss procedure performed by a gastroenterologist, a medical doctor specialized in digestive health. During this procedure, a small amount of botulinum toxin is injected into certain muscles in the upper part of the stomach to reduce the size of the stomach and to reduce hunger pangs. The injection causes the walls of the stomach to relax, reducing the amount of food it can hold, leading to a feeling of fullness after eating a smaller meal. As a result, an individual who receives gastric botox feels less hunger and is more likely to eat smaller meals throughout the day, which leads to natural weight-loss and improved general health.
What is Gastric Balloon?
Gastric balloon is a weight-loss procedure similar to gastric botox but with a different approach. During this procedure, a catheter is inserted into the stomach to inflate a silicon balloon with a saline solution. This balloon takes up varying amounts of room in the stomach and helps reduce appetite and food intake. Typically, a gastric balloon is installed for 6 months, then removed by a gastroenterologist. During this time, the individual should look to institute healthy lifestyle changes and practice mindful eating habits to achieve lasting results.
What are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Gastric Botox?
Gastric botox boasts numerous benefits for the individual looking to lose weight. This procedure is minimally invasive, it does not require a hospital stay, and results are almost immediate. A single treatment can yield results for at least four to six months, however, some patients may experience the effects of the procedure for up to a year. Additionally, gastric botox is thought to provide sustainable weight-loss, as it helps people reduce calorie intake and rewire their brain to crave fewer and smaller meals.
On the other hand, gastric botox comes with a few potential drawbacks. In rare cases, botox can cause side effects such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, and stomachache. Additionally, the procedure provides only temporary results and needs to be repeated every few months in order to maintain the results.
What are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Gastric Balloon?
The main advantage of gastric balloon is that it encourages lifestyle changes. This procedure can reduce hunger, increase satiety, and help individuals practice mindful eating, all of which can lead to long-term weight management. The balloon is only in the stomach for a few months, meaning it does not require the individual to make drastic changes to their lifestyle. Moreover, a study from 2018 showed that individuals who received a gastric balloon lost an average of 3.2kg (7.1 pounds) more than those in the control group after six months.
However, gastric balloon can also lead to unpleasant side effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and constipation. Additionally, the procedure requires an endoscopy, meaning the patient needs to be sedated and may stay at the hospital for a few hours afterwards.
Conclusion
Gastric weight-loss procedures are a safe and effective way to lose weight and improve health outcomes. Gastric botox reduces appetite and decreases the amount of food the stomach can hold, while gastric balloon encourages lifestyle changes and mindful eating habits. Ultimately, the procedure you choose should be based on your lifestyle and your doctor’s advice. Both are safe and effective options with proven results.
If you do not know which weight loss treatment to choose, contact us. Let’s calculate your BMI for free. Let’s get advice from our doctor for you.
