Intra gastric Ballooning helps you lose anything between 10 to 15 Kgs over six months to 1 year. This procedure enables you to feel full early, thus better control over cravings & appetite. You eat smaller meals, follow healthy diet, feel lighter, healthier and better.

After this procedure, you need to re-learn how to drink and eat. Your diet will gradually progress, from liquids to pureed, then to soft, and finally you resume normal diet any time after four weeks, but each one advances at their own pace.

During the first post- operative week, the patient begins with clear fluids and gradually goes on to full liquids. For the first two days, be sure to take luke- warm fluids, not more than half a cup at a time. Sip small, sip slowly, do not use straw, and avoid carbonated beverages. Please ensure that you drink at least 10 cups of liquids throughout the day. To get enough calories and protein, drink more dairy products. Do add to your drinks one tablespoon of good fats like olive oil, canola, or avocado oil to provide essential fatty acids and prevent complications.

When on liquids, you can have beverages like coconut water, lemon water, green tea, iced tea, veg broth and soups, chicken broth & soup, skimmed milk, butter milk, dal soups, regular tea & coffee etc. Do not add sugar to your drinks.

Second week onwards you can introduce pureed food to your diet. This will include items which are well cooked and blended or mashed in a puree. Khichdi, porridge, fruit yoghurt are some good examples. You need to eat slowly in small bites, chew well & stop once you feel full.

From third week on you may start with soft foods, once you are comfortable with pureed diet.

Three to four weeks after the procedure you gradually return to normal eating. Chew well, eat slow, eat small at a time. At this time, start light exercise –like walking. Maintaining regular physical activity is a must to promote good circulation and to help achieve healthy weight. However, strenuous exercise is better avoided for a minimum of 6 weeks, till you are on your normal solid diet.

Micronutrient deficiencies such as vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, folic acid and calcium are common in overweight people that is why it is recommended to take your prescribed nutritional supplements after the ballooning procedure to fulfil your nutritional needs and to prevent deficiency diseases.

After the balloon removal just stick to diet advise of your bariatric dietician, indulge in regular physical activity, keep visiting for follow-ups and continue taking nutritional supplements, if advised.