Intragastric Balloons as a Bridge to Bariatric and Non-bariatric Surgery in Super-Obese Patients

Preoperative use of an intragastric balloon is an strategy that can be employed to reduce the difficulty and risks of super-obese patients undergoing surgery. Super obesity is considered a nutritional disorder; more common in Western countries and is related to high morbidity and mortality. Different options exist for the treatment of obesity including diet, behavioral therapy, medications, and surgery. The intragastric balloon is an endoscopic procedure that has started to be indicated as a bridge procedure to reduce risk in the super-obese patients. Liver volume is reduced, thereby facilitating the bariatric surgery. The preoperative use of an intragastric balloon is an important strategy for super-obese patients who have elevated surgical risk. Its use as a bridge to surgery reduces the comorbidities responsible for postoperative complications.