Spatz3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon
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- Minimally Invasive
- Weight Loss Program
- Adjustable Gastric Balloon
ABOUT SPATZ3 ADJUSTABLE BALLOON
The Spatz3 balloon is a non-surgical weight loss option that helps patients jump-start weight loss and keep it off. The procedure involves a small silicone balloon being placed in the stomach under mild sedation. Once the balloon is in the stomach, it is filled with saline, allowing patients to feel full quickly and eat smaller portions, leading to weight loss.
While other types of gastric balloons can be used for weight loss, the Spatz3 is the only one that can be adjusted after it is placed inside the stomach. In the early stages, the adjustable design can help patients who experience discomfort or balloon intolerance by allowing your provider to remove some of the saline as needed.
When or if weight loss stalls throughout the balloon placement, the device can be adjusted again with more saline to provide greater fullness and improve weight loss results. The balloon is typically removed after 8 months with no permanent changes to your anatomy.
Who It's For
Spatz3 balloon is ideal for moderately overweight patients over 21 years old who haven’t had success with diet and exercise alone but who are looking for a fully reversible procedure to help them lose and maintain weight for the long term. The Spatz3 may be an alternative to invasive procedures or for those who are reluctant to undergo surgery. The Spatz3 balloon offers a more customized weight loss solution for your individual needs. The Spatz3 balloon is also an option for patients who do not want to use weight loss medications, as the average weight loss is equivalent to Wegovy and Zepbound but without the need for weekly injections and ongoing expenses.
How The Procedure Works
Under mild sedation, a board-certified gastroenterologist uses endoscopic bariatric techniques (through the esophagus) to place a thin, deflated balloon into the stomach. Once inside the stomach, the Spatz gastric balloon is inflated with saline until it’s roughly the size of a grapefruit. This fully reversible, non-surgical procedure takes about 10-15 minutes. After 8 months, the balloon will be removed in a similar manner, using the endoscope to deflate and gently remove it.
One of the most significant benefits of Spatz3 is its adjustable design, which allows your gastroenterologist to up-adjust or down-adjust the balloon as needed throughout the duration of the balloon treatment. Initially, this can lead to greater tolerance and ultimately increase the amount of weight lost with the Spatz3 balloon. Because of this adjustable design, the Spatz3 balloon was shown to provide greater weight loss than other gastric balloons in clinical trials.
How Much Weight You’ll Lose
In a U.S. clinical study, patients lost an average of 30 lbs. or 15% of their total body weight during the treatment period with the Spatz balloon. Motivated patients can lose a lot more, particularly as you see rapid weight loss shortly after balloon placement. To facilitate weight loss and maintenance, your True You Weight Loss team will support you over the next 12 months with a comprehensive program to improve your diet, exercise, and lifestyle routines to ensure long-term success.
COME FIND YOURSELF AT TRUE YOU FREEDOM IS WAITING
WHY CHOOSE TRUE YOU FOR Spatz3?
Endoscopic
Expertise
Placing an endoscopic gastric balloon is a technically challenging procedure that requires a high level of endoscopic skill and experience. Dr. Christopher McGowan is among the few physicians in the nation who is triple board-certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and obesity medicine. He is a leader in the area of endobariatrics and has performed hundreds of gastric balloon procedures, ensuring your comfort and safety.
The Nation’s Most Comprehensive Aftercare
Our medical and patient support teams are here to help you through every step of your Spatz3 journey, including before, during, and after your procedure. You’ll have a full team of experts, including physicians, nurses, registered dietitians, and our entire clinical team, to help you achieve your goals. We are invested in your long-term success, so our team is here to provide medical and nutritional guidance for as long as you need it.
24/7 Physician
Access
Whether you live in North Carolina or Georgia or are traveling from another state altogether, when you work with our team, every patient receives the highest level of concierge care. We offer 24/7 direct access to your physician via personal cell phone, text, email, and video chat. We remain committed to your success throughout your weight loss journey.
SPATZ3 GASTRIC BALLOON
STARTING AT
$122/Monthly*
or $5,995
*Financing offers subject to credit approval,
and may vary based on individual
credit history.
- INITIAL CONSULTATION
- PRE-PROCEDURE LABS
- COMPREHENSIVE BARIATRIC NUTRITION CONSULTATION
- SPATZ3 PROCEDURES (INCLUSIVE OF ALL FACILITY, ANESTHESIA, AND PHYSICIAN FEES)
- BALLOON DOWN-SIZING FOR INTOLERANCE, INCLUDED**
- 24/7 DIRECT PHYSICIAN ACCESS
- POST-PROCEDURE NURSE VISIT WITH IV HYDRATION
- 1 YEAR OF ONE-ON-ONE NUTRITION COUNSELING
- FINANCING AVAILABLE*
Self-Pay
Pricing
Many of our patients simply don’t want surgery. At the same time, they feel hopeless because the lifestyle modifications of diet and exercise simply aren’t effective. True You provides solutions when you feel as though you’re out of options. While the ORBERA® procedure is not covered by insurance, we offer several financing options.
Traveling from Out Of State?
Patients have traveled to True You from more than 45 states and 10 countries. Our locations are near international airports for ease of travel and we have made arrangements with several local hotels for your convenience. Please note that all patients must be accompanied by a responsible adult when traveling from out of state.
frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for Spatz3?
The Spatz3 gastric balloon is designed for obese adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 to 40 kg/m2 who haven’t been successful in losing weight through diet and exercise.
Who is not eligible for Spatz3®?
You are not eligible for Spatz3 if you have had prior stomach or bariatric surgery, including hiatal hernia repair, lap band, sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric bypass. Those who use anti-inflammatory medications (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) daily are also not eligible. Pregnant or breastfeeding women are not eligible for the Spatz3.
Does insurance cover it?
No, insurance does not cover the Spatz3 balloon, but we offer financing options.
When was this procedure approved by the FDA?
October 15, 2021
How long does the procedure take?
Both the balloon insertion and removal take approximately 15 minutes. Balloon adjustment also takes approximately 15 minutes.
How is this different from bariatric surgery?
Unlike bariatric surgery, Spatz3 is performed using an endoscope, which is a flexible camera/device that’s inserted through the esophagus. It’s a fully reversible, completely non-invasive weight loss procedure. The balloon is removed after 8 months and leaves no permanent changes to your anatomy. The procedure requires mild sedation, so no general anesthesia or ventilator is needed.
How is Spatz3 different from other gastric balloons?
The primary difference is that the Spatz3 balloon can remain in the stomach for 8 months, rather than 6, and it is an adjustable balloon. That means that your physician can make the balloon smaller to help relieve symptoms, or larger if you need to lose more weight.
How often do I have to come into the office after the procedure?
You will be seen by your provider approximately 1-2 weeks after your balloon is placed. You will meet with your True You Weight Loss team once each month for the entire 12-month treatment program. These sessions may be conducted in person, or via video conference (telemedicine) from the comfort of your home. Your provider will be available to see you throughout the treatment period, though we do not require mandatory office visits on a set schedule.
What does it feel like to have the balloon in my stomach?
Immediately following the procedure, most patients say a gastric balloon makes them feel like they’ve just eaten a large meal. In the first few days after placement, you may experience nausea, cramping, and sometimes even vomiting as the stomach gets used to the balloon. For patients who are unable to tolerate the discomfort, we have the option to down-adjust the balloon during a second endoscopic procedure.
Is the balloon visible from the outside?
No, the balloon is not visible externally.
How much weight will I lose?
Shortly after your balloon placement, you’ll experience rapid weight loss. While highly effective, gastric balloons are simply a tool to support weight loss and must be used alongside a diet, exercise and behavior modification program.
The amount of weight you lose and maintain depends heavily on how carefully you follow the diet plan and make long-term changes to your lifestyle. Studies have shown that people lose an average of 15% of their body weight in 8 months. That means if you weigh 250 pounds, you could reasonably expect to lose roughly 38 pounds. However, the range will vary based on the individual and their commitment to following diet and exercise recommendations.
Will I keep the weight off?
Patients who are successful with the Spatz3 balloon are those who make the appropriate diet and lifestyle changes during the 12-month treatment period. While the balloon itself is effective, most patients establish the healthy habits needed to maintain weight loss during the eight months the balloon remains in place. Because our program is 12 months long, your True You Weight Loss team will monitor you even after the balloon is removed to ensure you continue to succeed in your weight loss journey.
What happens if I don’t lose as much weight as i want, or if my weight loss is slower than expected?
Your True You Weight Loss team will closely monitor your progress during the Spatz balloon program to ensure you are on track to meet your goals. If you have optimized your diet and exercise regimen and still need additional assistance, we may recommend increasing the size of your balloon (an up-adjustment), which is accomplished through a brief endoscopic procedure, during which your physician can add more fluid to the balloon. Additionally, weight loss medications (pharmacotherapy) may be prescribed under the guidance of your provider. These therapies can significantly enhance your weight loss when used in combination with the Spatz3 balloon.
What are the risks of the procedure?
Shortly after your balloon placement, you’ll experience rapid weight loss. While highly effective, gastric balloons are simply a tool to support weight loss and must be used alongside a diet, exercise and behavior modification program.
The amount of weight you lose and maintain depends heavily on how carefully you follow the diet plan and make long-term changes to your lifestyle. Studies have shown that people lose an average of 15% of their body weight in 8 months. That means if you weigh 250 pounds, you could reasonably expect to lose roughly 38 pounds. However, the range will vary based on the individual and their commitment to following diet and exercise recommendations.
What Is The Chance That The Balloon Will Deflate In The Stomach?
Balloon deflation is a rare event, typically related to a balloon that has been in the stomach for longer than the recommended eight months. This event is estimated to occur in less than 0.3% of patients.odern options such as Spatz3 are the result of decades of research and evolution in shape, size and design. More than 90,000 Spatz3 balloons have been placed worldwide. The risk of a serious side effect is less than 0.03 percent. Potential serious side effects include stomach ulceration, balloon deflation, bowel obstruction, stomach perforation, and death.
Can I Exercise With The Spatz3 Balloon In My Stomach?
Yes! Exercise is a key contributor to our patients’ success. We encourage our Spatz3 patients to get a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise at least five days per week and, ideally, a total of 60 minutes five days a week. Any exercise is acceptable, including walking, running, weight training, swimming, bicycling, spinning, aerobics, dancing or even Crossfit. There are no restrictions – and it’s also completely fine to do sit-ups and abdominal exercises.
