I put on the gastric balloon and I don't lose weight: why can this happen to you?

Did you put the gastric balloon and you have not achieved results? There are many reasons why this can happen, and although this weight reduction procedure is quite effective, there are certain situations that can prevent you from achieving results.

Therefore, to ensure that a gastric balloon gives you results, you should familiarize yourself with the reasons and mistakes that can prevent you from losing weight after having this procedure.

Here are 7 of the main reasons that could be preventing you from losing weight.

1. You do not follow your bariatric surgeon's instructions.

This point is the most important of all. Your bariatric is not only the specialist in charge of performing the procedure, he/she will also monitor your case and define a course of action for you to lose as much weight as possible.

If you don't follow their instructions, you most likely won't get the results you expect and, in the process, you will also expose yourself to the gastric balloon complications. 

Your gastric balloon is also less likely to be effective if you consistently miss check-ups with your bariatric surgeon, because at these check-ups, in addition to assessing your health situation, he or she will also examine your rate of weight loss to make sure it is ideal. 

For example, if your bariatric surgeon assesses at a check-up that you are not losing as much weight as you should, he or she will probably suggest extra actions to increase the effectiveness of the gastric balloon. But that will only happen if you go to all your checkups without fail.

2. You do not change your eating habits

The gastric balloon will help you feel less hungry and make you feel fuller more easily, which will help you lose weight. However, if you do not change your eating habits, and continue to consume harmful, junk or excessive amounts of food, it is unlikely that you will lose weight noticeably.

After all, the balloon does not alter the functioning of your digestive system or modify your stomach, as does the gastric bypass or the gastric sleeveSo if you do not control what you eat, you will prevent the gastric balloon from working.

3. You continue to lead a sedentary lifestyle.

Many patients who do not achieve significant weight loss with the gastric balloon do not change their sedentary lifestyle, which means they still do not exercise regularly, making it difficult to achieve good weight loss.

It also doesn't work for you to exercise if you are not constant, since there is no way there will be changes in your body if you don't do it on a recurring basis every so often.

Keep in mind that the gastric balloon is a weight loss procedure that must be complemented with other actions in your life to be truly effective.

4. You may have trouble tolerating the ball

In some cases, patients have problems tolerating the gastric balloon once it is implanted. While the arrival of the gastric balloon has made the device even more comfortable and secure, not everyone will react the same way. 

If you find it difficult to lose weight, and you often feel discomfort related to the gastric balloon, it is likely that your stomach is not tolerating it well. In such cases, it is best to see your bariatric surgeon who will examine your case and determine if you are indeed having problems tolerating the gastric balloon.

5. Your overweight problem may be more serious.

The gastric balloon is not for everyone. In fact, the gastric balloon requirements are clear, if your body mass index is very high (over 40) and you are morbidly obese, this procedure is probably not suitable for you because it will not help you lose too much weight and may lose its effectiveness.

In such cases, it is advisable to opt for the gastric sleeve or gastric bypassyour bariatric surgeon will determine, with exhaustive studies, which bariatric surgery is suitable for you according to your health situation, BMI and level of overweight or obesity.

6. You do not comply with follow-up or routine check-ups.

Routine check-ups are absolutely essential for you to achieve the weight loss you are looking for, as your bariatric surgeon will review your progress, suggest actions and changes if he/she feels something is not quite right, and generally ensure that the procedure will help you lose the weight you expect to lose.

If you miss routine check-ups, you can make mistakes in your diet or habits without even noticing it, and by not having the attention of a specialist, you run the risk of continuing to make the same mistakes and spoiling the effectiveness of the gastric balloon.

Not to mention the fact that checkups are also designed to ensure that you are in optimal health, so you don't want to miss your checkups.

7. Certain psychological factors can affect your weight loss.

Psychological factors also affect the effectiveness of the gastric balloon. Anxiety, for example, can have a direct effect on your diet; and in more severe cases, other disorders can lead to eating disorders, which will undoubtedly prevent you from achieving the results you expect with the gastric balloon.

That is the reason why bariatric treatment is usually accompanied by psychological assistance, because you must be in your best mental state to change your life habits and overcome your overweight problems.

Without that, it is very difficult for you to achieve sustainable results with any bariatric procedure.

As you can see, there are many reasons that can prevent you from losing enough weight with the gastric balloon. However, most of the problems have to do with inadequate eating habits, lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyle.

Remember that the gastric balloon results will depend not only on the procedure itself, but on how well you adhere to your bariatric surgeon's instructions and your willingness to change your lifestyle to a much healthier one. 

If you are having problems losing weight with a gastric balloon or you have decided to get a definitive solution for your overweight, contact us and we will tell you how we can help you recover your health..