Gastric Procedures
At Balto Plastic Surgery, our skilled and compassionate team specializes in minimally invasive gastric procedures in Miami to support sustainable, effective weight loss. Our team of board-certified surgeons offer a patient-centered approach, meaning that each treatment plan is crafted with your health, goals, and lifestyle in mind. Our clinic ensures the highest quality of care, combining state-of-the-art techniques with continuous support to guide you in your weight loss journey.
We offer both gastric balloon and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), two advanced weight loss treatments designed to reduce stomach volume and help patients lose weight effectively. These options offer a faster, less invasive approach to weight loss, and they’re ideal for patients looking for alternatives to more intensive bariatric surgery.
The gastric balloon procedure is a temporary treatment for obesity that helps you lose weight by reducing the volume of your stomach without surgery. A gastric balloon is a soft, smooth, durable balloon made of silicone rubber. It is designed to be placed in the stomach to reduce its capacity and help you feel full with less food.
A doctor, using an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube) inserts the deflated balloon through the mouth and into the stomach. The balloon is then filled with saline solution (salt water) to occupy space in the stomach, leaving less room for large amounts of food and drink. The idea is to help you feel full faster after eating smaller meals and maintain that feeling of fullness longer so you are less hungry between meals.
A procedure to address obesity, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty can reduce the size of the stomach without the need for an incision through the skin. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a minimally invasive weight loss procedure that uses an endoscopic suturing (stitching) device to reduce the stomach’s size and volume by about 70%. When your stomach holds less volume, you can feel full with less food, absorb fewer calories, and lose weight over time. ESG also shortens and re-shapes the stomach, which helps it empty into the intestines slower. This helps you feel fuller for longer.
For the right candidate, ESG may be a less invasive alternative to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Both procedures reduce the stomach size, but the surgical approach does so by removing part of the stomach, while ESG uses stitches to bring folds of the stomach together like an accordion (similar to sewing a dart to tailor clothing). Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is reversible for most patients.
Surgical sleeve gastrectomy, commonly known as a gastric sleeve involves surgical removal of about 75-80% of the stomach, leaving a small, tube-shaped "sleeve." This significantly reduces the stomach's capacity, helping patients feel full more quickly and reducing the amount of food they can comfortably consume. Additionally, the procedure removes the portion of the stomach that produces ghrelin, a hormone associated with hunger, which can further aid in appetite control.
Sleeve gastrectomy is a permanent, irreversible procedure that promotes substantial and long-term weight loss, particularly for individuals struggling with severe obesity and related health conditions. By reducing both food intake and hunger, it offers a powerful tool for sustainable weight management and improvement in obesity-related health issues.
With gastric procedures Miami patients can address obesity and related health conditions by aiding in significant, sustainable weight loss. These procedures work by reducing the stomach’s capacity, helping patients feel full with smaller meals, and avoid overeating. Here are some common conditions that gastric procedures help to manage or improve:
Through controlled weight loss and dietary adjustments, gastric procedures address both the symptoms and root causes of these conditions, offering patients a pathway to improved overall health and quality of life.
A gastric sleeve may be suitable for adults who:
Certain health conditions, such as stomach ulcers or large hiatal hernias, may affect candidacy, so a consultation is necessary.
A gastric balloon procedure may be a weight loss option for some adults who:
If your doctor recommends losing weight before a planned surgery, such as joint replacement, or to assist with fertility, a gastric balloon can help you achieve the desired weight in a relatively short period of time.
For the right candidate, ESG may be a less invasive alternative to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Both procedures reduce the stomach size, but the surgical approach does so by removing part of the stomach, while ESG uses stitches to bring folds of the stomach together like an accordion (similar to sewing a dart to tailor clothing). Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is reversible for most patients.
Recovery after gastric balloon placement is usually quick, with most patients resuming normal activities within a day or two. Mild nausea or discomfort is common during the first few days as the stomach adjusts to the balloon, but this typically subsides with prescribed medication. Patients follow a liquid diet initially, gradually transitioning to soft foods and then solid foods over several weeks. Regular follow-ups and nutritional guidance help support sustainable weight loss and healthy eating habits.
Recovery from ESG is relatively short, with patients often returning to normal activities within 2-3 days. Patients may experience mild discomfort, nausea, or bloating initially, which typically resolves within a few days. A liquid diet is recommended for the first two weeks, followed by a gradual reintroduction of soft foods and then solids over the next few weeks. Ongoing follow-ups with the healthcare team are essential to monitor progress and ensure long-term success.
Recovery from gastric sleeve surgery typically requires a hospital stay of 1-2 days, followed by 2-4 weeks of reduced activity to allow for proper healing. Patients usually start with a liquid diet, moving to pureed foods and then soft foods over the first month. While some discomfort, swelling, and fatigue are normal, these improve as healing progresses. Regular follow-ups and dietary counseling are critical to support healthy weight loss and adjust lifestyle habits for long-term success.
Patients generally see noticeable weight loss within the first three to four months. For gastric balloon patients, the maximum results are usually achieved within six months when the balloon is removed. ESG patients benefit from lasting changes, as the reshaped stomach promotes reduced food intake in the long term. The sustainability of results depends on adherence to recommended dietary changes and lifestyle habits.
Patients can expect to lose 10-15% of their body weight in the six months following balloon placement, especially when combined with dietary adjustments.
Yes, ESG offers a lasting reduction in stomach size without permanent surgical alterations. However, it is reversible in some cases, allowing flexibility if future adjustments are needed.
Yes, gastric sleeve surgery is a permanent procedure. During the surgery, about 75-80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a smaller, sleeve-shaped stomach that cannot be restored to its original size. This reduction is irreversible, making gastric sleeve surgery a long-term solution for weight loss.
Yes, patients will follow a structured diet, starting with liquids and transitioning to regular foods. A balanced diet and portion control are crucial for maximizing results.
The gastric balloon is generally a one-time, six-month solution. However, patients can discuss further options with our team if additional weight loss support is needed.
