The Orbera Gastric Balloon is a suitable weight loss method for patients who have a BMI (Body Mass Index) between 28 and 32, and who have previously tried other weight loss methods such as diet and exercise, without achieving good results. Many patients always ask, “Am I going to eat less after the gastric balloon is implanted?”. The resounding answer is yes.
At Innova Weight Loss Solutions we have a multidisciplinary team (nutritionists, medical professionals) who help patients make a change in eating and exercise habits. We also provide medical nutrition therapy so that eating habits improve after the implantation of the gastric balloon. It is essential that patients are willing to make a change in eating habits and lifestyle to achieve greater weight loss and maintain it long-term.
Orbera procedure basically consists of implanting a silicone balloon in the stomach and filling it with a saline solution. The gastric balloon is an endoscopic procedure, so it does not require cuts or scars. The balloon will remain implanted inside the patient’s stomach for six months. In the six months that it is implanted in the stomach, the patient eats much less, feels full faster, and helps the patient change their eating habits.
How Should I Eat Before the Procedure?
The patient will need to be on a strict liquid diet for 2-3 days prior to the procedure. This liquid diet is not part of the weight loss, it is necessary so that at the time of the endoscopy the stomach is free of food residues. During this liquid diet, we recommend milk, yogurt, fruit juice, and soups. It is very important not to drink stimulating drinks like coffee, tea, energy drinks, or alcoholic beverages.
What Should I Eat After the Implantation of the Orbera Gastric Balloon?
After placing the Orbera Gastric Balloon, the patient must follow a progressive diet where they will gradually introduce foods with new textures and greater consistency until they return to a normal solid diet. The phases of this progressive diet are designed so that the patient can effectively tolerate food, thus achieving the goal that the body can tolerate the new device and food intake. For this reason, it is very important that patients follow the instructions of our multidisciplinary team.
- Liquid Phase Immediately After The Procedure
- During the first 2 days after placement of the Orbera Gastric Balloon, it is likely that the patient will have some discomfort (until the stomach adapts to the balloon).
To avoid dehydration and possible loss of vitamins and minerals, patients should drink only cold isotonic fluids and ice, sipping slowly.
- Liquid Diet
- After the first 2 days, the patient will be started on a liquid diet for 5 more days. It consists of isotonic liquids, juices, infusions, milk, liquid yogurt, and vegetable broths. In order for the patient to have a correct intake of protein and to be properly nourished, they must complement their meals with 2 protein shakes a day.
- Puree Diet
- In addition to the foods of the liquid diet, you can add natural yogurts, cereals without added sugars (preferably soaked in milk or some liquid so that they are softer), jellies, or fruit smoothies. The patient will be able to increase the texture of creams to purees. A purée in each main meal (lunch and dinner) should contain some protein food (lean meat, fish, egg, cheese) in addition to vegetables.
- Soft Diet
- At this point the patient will already have the tolerance to solid foods with the aim that the stomach will work more in the digestion process, starting with the correct way when chewing food. Avoid hard or dry food. Soft and juicy preparations.
- Normal Diet
- How to eat after the implantation of the gastric balloon? Once the patient has gone through all the previous phases, they can introduce the remaining foods to their diet: raw vegetables in a salad and legumes. It is recommended that the patient avoids vegetables with long stringy fiber: asparagus, lettuce (substitute spinach), artichokes, and tomato skin. In the case of legumes, to test their tolerance, it is better that the patient first has a puree of lentils or chickpeas. If it has been successful, you can now consume any legume without crushing it.
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After The First Month, Will I Continue Eating The Same As Before The Procedure?
Innova experts will explain how you should eat after the gastric balloon implantation. It is important that you follow a healthy diet, eating from a small plate and slowly. Starting from the normal phase, the patient can eat anything, including raw vegetables and legumes.
It is important that after the placement of the Orbera gastric balloon, the patient has a nutritional medical professional who will help to select the most recommended foods to achieve weight loss in a healthy way. This way the patient manages to modify or eliminate dietary habits that may be harmful.
After the first month when the different stages of the diet have been carried out, weight loss begins to be noticeable. Patients begin to reduce the amount of food to feel fuller, having less space in the stomach, and the feeling of fullness is much faster than before the procedure.
Tips for Eating After Gastric Balloon Implantation
- Prioritize the consumption of vegetables (ideally, they make up 50% of the plate);
- Consume foods rich in high-quality protein (eggs, fish, lean meats, legumes, or dairy);
- Reduce the number of foods rich in carbohydrates (rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, etc.);
- Drink water between the main meals (30 minutes before or after);
- Avoid alcoholic beverages and carbonated soft drinks;
- Avoid 4 foods that can generate residues: tomato skin, asparagus, lettuce, and artichokes.
By following these recommendations and committing to healthier eating habits, weight loss efforts will be a success. To schedule an appointment at one of our convenient locations in Puerto Rico or New York, you can click here.