Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) Overview
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) is a very effective bariatric surgery option for patients with obesity. The procedure involves cutting away about 80 percent of your stomach, leaving only a small banana-shaped sleeve behind. The sleeve fills with food quickly, which means you feel satiated on small amounts of food, leading to significant weight loss.
DR. CHRISTOPHER MCGOWAN
Dr. Christopher McGowan, MD, a leader in endobariatrics, specializes in non-surgical obesity treatments and is triple-board-certified in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Obesity Medicine. Renowned for pioneering endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) with over 2,000 procedures, his global influence and research contributions define him as a top expert.
However, traditional bariatric surgery isn’t for everyone. It’s an invasive procedure with a long recovery time and risk of complications. Gastric sleeve is performed laparoscopically, which means surgeons make small incisions in the abdomen to insert instruments to perform the procedure. While that makes recovery easier than with major abdominal incisions, there are still risks.
Non-Surgical Weight Loss Alternatives: Gastric Balloons
For patients who aren’t interested or eligible for bariatric surgery, gastric balloons provide a non-invasive, completely reversible alternative that requires no surgery, incisions, or hospitalization. Performed by a board-certified gastroenterologist, the simple outpatient procedure involves placing a small balloon into the stomach endoscopically – which means through your throat. The balloon is filled with saline and sits on top of the stomach – thereby decreasing stomach capacity and helping patients feel full for longer. It provides a great jumpstart to rapid weight loss and helps patients eat smaller portions and develop healthier habits while the balloon is in place.
There are a number of gastric balloons on the market, but we specialize in two intra-gastric balloon systems at True You Weight Loss: the Orbera® Managed Weight Loss System and the Spatz3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon System.
Gastric Balloon vs. Gastric Sleeve: A Comparative Analysis
There are lots of advantages of a gastric balloon over gastric sleeve surgery, including minimal side effects, low risk of complications, and comparatively low cost. Let’s compare gastric balloon placement and gastric sleeve surgery from these perspectives.
Candidate Suitability for Gastric Balloons and VSG
Gastric balloons and VSG are both excellent treatment options for anyone who is overweight or obese. With gastric sleeve surgery, a patient typically needs to qualify for the procedure with a BMI over 40 or a BMI over 35 with an additional obesity-related medical problem, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease. People with certain health risks, including bleeding disorders, substance use disorders, or a history of disordered eating, may not qualify for bariatric surgery.
Gastric balloons are ideal for patients who want to lose 30-50 pounds in six to eight months but haven’t been successful through diet and exercise alone. There are no strict BMI requirements since the balloons aren’t covered by insurance, but they’re generally recommended for patients with a BMI of between 30 and 40 kg/m2.
Gastric Balloon vs. Gastric Sleeve: Comparing Side Effects, Risks, and Costs
Many people experience side effects after gastric sleeve surgery, including heartburn, acid reflux, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Vitamin deficiency is a concern as well, as the decreased stomach size can interfere with nutrient absorption. Some patients will need to supplement iron, vitamin B-12, and calcium after gastric sleeve surgery.
Gastric sleeve patients also run the risk of surgical complications, including adverse effects from anesthesia, hemorrhage, infection, leak, and stomach obstruction.
Comparatively, the gastric balloon comes with very few risks. If a patient doesn’t tolerate the balloon, it can be easily removed in another non-invasive procedure. Some patients do experience some discomfort in the first few days after the balloon is placed, but this will subside once the body adjusts to the balloon.
When it comes to costs, gastric balloons also have the advantage.
Gastric sleeve surgery costs anywhere from $15,000 to $27,000 or more, depending on your location and specific medical situation. If covered by insurance, out-of-pocket costs vary based on your insurance plan and can add up quickly, particularly for those with high-deductible plans. Gastric balloons, on the other hand, are not covered by insurance and therefore are priced with a flat fee. At True You Weight Loss, our pricing for gastric balloons starts at $5,995, which includes the initial consultation, necessary lab work, unlimited medical follow-up, 24/7 direct physician access, and one full year of one-on-one nutritional counseling. At True You Weight Loss, we offer several financing options to help make the procedure fit your budget.
ORBERA® vs Spatz3: Which Balloon is Right for Me?
The ORBERA® balloon system involves a non-surgical procedure designed to help patients jumpstart weight loss. During the procedure, your gastroenterologist will place a small silicone balloon into the stomach with an endoscope, then fill it with saline to the size of a grapefruit.
The ORBERA® balloon is removed after 6 months, leaving no permanent changes to your anatomy. The procedure only takes about 15 minutes and is performed under sedation (requiring no general anesthesia).
In U.S. clinical trials, patients lost an average of 21.8 pounds with the ORBERA® balloon, but at True You Weight Loss, with our 24/7 concierge care and customized nutrition support, patients see even better results. Our patients lose an average of 30 to 50 pounds, with some motivated patients losing more than 100 pounds.
Spatz3 is the world’s only adjustable gastric balloon for weight loss. The Spatz3 allows your provider to adjust the balloon – removing saline to improve your comfort and tolerance or increasing saline to promote additional weight loss.
The Spatz3 balloon stays in place for about 8 months (two months longer than ORBERA®) before being removed in a non-surgical procedure similar to the way it was placed. In studies, patients lost an average of 15 percent of their total body weight after eight months.
True You Weight Loss was the first weight loss center in the U.S. to offer Spatz3 and we have extensive experience with this procedure, garnering impressive outcomes for our patients while upholding the highest levels of safety and post-procedure support.
We are the highest volume weight loss clinic in the U.S., and we’ve helped thousands of patients from 45 states and 10 countries reclaim their lives with non-surgical weight loss procedures.
Expertise in Non-Surgical Weight Loss
Dr. Christopher McGowan is triple board-certified in gastroenterology, internal medicine, and obesity medicine, giving him unique expertise in highly technical and complex non-surgical weight loss procedures. Our team is frequently asked to train physicians from all over the world in advanced endoscopic techniques.
Our decades of experience and expertise are backed by a commitment to the highest levels of patient care, including nutritional guidance and a customized plan, lifelong follow-up, and 24/7 physician access, so you always have the support you need on your weight loss journey.
Request a free consultation today to learn more about gastric balloon placement procedures at True You Weight Loss.
