A gastric balloon is a non-surgical, outpatient treatment. Most people experience significant weight loss; it enhances the health issues associated with obesity, such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and makes people feel better.

Your physician will prescribe tranquilizers for you. and numb your throat before inserting the balloon using an endoscope. The procedure is quick and safe.

Weight Loss

A gastric balloon may be an option for obese people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above. It occupies space in your stomach so you cannot eat as much food, helping you achieve weight loss results and better health.

The balloon is filled with saline solution or, for some models, such as the Obalon, it’s filled with gas. Regardless, the balloon will help you feel full with smaller food portions. This will allow you to learn healthy eating habits that can continue long after removing the balloon.

Typically, you will undergo a minimally invasive procedure that takes less than an hour and is performed under local anesthesia or light sedation. An endoscope is a small, flexible tube with a camera at the tip that your doctor uses to insert the gastric balloon into your stomach.

The balloon can take up to two-thirds of the stomach’s capacity, restricting the amount of food you can eat once. This leads to faster satiety and weight loss results. The balloon also slows the process of food moving through your stomach, making you feel full longer. It can be effective independently or used with other obesity treatments, including surgical procedures. In a clinical study, the Orbera balloon helped patients lose 3.1x more weight than diet and exercise alone.

Ease of Eating

Intragastric balloons (like Orbera) reduce the space for food in your stomach, making you feel full more quickly. It also encourages portion control, which is vital to weight loss. Most patients who choose the intragastric balloon experience significant weight reduction, which can relieve symptoms of obesity and improve overall health.

If you wish, the placement process can be done with light sedation or local anesthetic, typically lasting less than an hour. You will be asked to swallow as the endoscopist inserts the flexible telescope into the back of your throat and passes it down your gullet into your stomach.

For the first 48 hours, when your stomach adjusts to the balloon’s presence, you might feel full, bloated, or retching. This is normal and should settle over a few days. You should avoid eating a solid diet during this time, instead taking small sips of low-calorie carbonated liquids to decrease the chances of getting food stuck in and around the balloon.

Once the balloon is in place, you should be able to tolerate most foods, provided that you chew well and eat four to five smaller meals each day. However, you may find that some foods, such as bread or pasta, stick to the balloon and cause bad-smelling belching or heartburn. In this case, drink a glass of water after each meal to help clear your balloon.

Safety

If your body mass index (BMI) is thirty or higher, the intragastric balloon can help you lose weight and prevent health complications associated with obesity.

The gastric balloon is filled with saline solution to take up space in your stomach, leaving less room for large amounts of food and drinks. This limits the amount of calories you can eat and increases the feeling of fullness after meals, helping you maintain portion control.

You’ll receive sedation and a topical anesthetic or lubricant to numb your throat during the procedure. An endoscope will be inserted through your mouth, and the gastroenterologist will look at your esophagus and stomach for signs of abnormalities or complications. Once they are satisfied, they will place the balloon inside your stomach.

Following the balloon placement, some people experience gastrointestinal problems, such as abdominal pain or nausea. These symptoms usually subside with dietary training and medication.

Unlike bariatric surgery, the gastric balloon procedure is minimally invasive. However, it may not protect against the risks associated with obesity, including Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The FDA encourages you to report any adverse events or suspected side effects involving your intragastric balloon, either voluntarily or by following the reporting requirements of your user facility.

Recovery

For a nonsurgical weight loss solution, the gastric balloon is relatively safe. You’ll be able to return to work within about an hour after the procedure, and you can expect to lose up to 3.1x more weight than diet and exercise alone3.

The procedure takes less than 30 minutes with no incisions and minimal risk of complications. Your doctor will use a flexible telescope (endoscope) to insert the deflated balloon into your stomach through your mouth and esophagus. Once in place, they will fill the balloon with saline to about the size of a grapefruit.

Once the balloon is inserted, you’ll be on a clear liquid diet for about six hours, but you can gradually begin eating solid foods. Your doctor will also prescribe acid reflux and anti-nausea medications for you to take before your procedure.

The balloon will remain in your stomach for up to six months, but you must follow a strict, healthy diet to ensure that the weight loss is permanent. The average patient will lose about one-third of their excess body weight during this time, but the amount you lose will depend on how well you stick to your program. You’ll also learn essential eating habits that will help you maintain your newfound weight loss in the future. Your physician will consult with a nutritionist, gastroenterologist, and psychologist/psychiatrist to design a personalized weight loss plan for you.

Jane