Free Guide to Gastric Balloon Surgery Options

Understanding Gastric Balloon Surgery: What It Is and How It Works

A gastric balloon is a medical device that doctors place inside your stomach to help with weight loss. Unlike traditional weight loss surgery that changes your stomach permanently, a gastric balloon is temporary. The procedure involves inserting a deflated balloon through your mouth and into your stomach, then filling it with saline solution or gas. This makes your stomach feel fuller with less food, which can help reduce how much you eat.

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The balloon takes up space in your stomach, leaving less room for food. When you eat, you feel satisfied sooner than you would without the balloon. This sensation of fullness happens because the balloon physically occupies stomach space and may trigger signals to your brain that tell you to stop eating. Most people who have a gastric balloon report eating smaller portions at meals and feeling less hungry between meals.

Several types of gastric balloons exist on the market today. Some balloons stay in your stomach for six months, while others remain for up to one year. The most common types include the Orbera balloon, the Reshape balloon, and the Obalon balloon system. Each type has different characteristics regarding how it's placed, how long it stays in your body, and how it's removed. Your doctor can discuss which option might work best based on your medical history and weight loss goals.

The procedure itself typically takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete. Because the balloon is placed through your mouth rather than through surgery, there are no cuts or incisions made in your body. Most patients go home the same day and can return to normal activities within a few days. This makes gastric balloon placement less invasive than traditional weight loss surgeries like gastric bypass or lap-band procedures.

Practical takeaway: A gastric balloon is a temporary, minimally invasive device that creates a feeling of fullness by taking up space in your stomach. Understanding how it works helps you decide whether this approach matches your weight loss needs and lifestyle.

Types of Gastric Balloons Available in the Market

The Orbera balloon is one of the oldest and most widely used gastric balloons available. It received approval from the FDA in 2015 and has been used in medical settings since then. The Orbera remains in your stomach for six months. During placement, your doctor uses an endoscope—a thin tube with a camera—to guide the deflated balloon into your stomach through your mouth and esophagus. Once the balloon is in the correct position, the doctor fills it with 500 to 700 milliliters of saline solution mixed with a blue dye. The blue dye serves a safety purpose: if the balloon leaks, the dye will appear in your urine, alerting you to a problem. After six months, another endoscopic procedure removes the balloon by deflating it and pulling it out through your mouth.

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The Reshape balloon system works similarly to Orbera but offers some differences. Reshape consists of two smaller balloons instead of one large balloon. These two balloons are placed and removed using the same endoscopic method as a single balloon. The advantage of having two balloons is that if one leaks, the other remains in place to continue providing the sensation of fullness. The Reshape balloon also stays in your stomach for six months. Some patients prefer this option because it provides backup support if one balloon fails.

The Obalon balloon system takes a different approach to gastric balloon placement. Rather than using an endoscope, Obalon uses a thin catheter—a small flexible tube—that you swallow like a large pill. Once the catheter reaches your stomach, your doctor inflates the balloon with nitrogen gas while monitoring its position with X-rays. The Obalon system allows your doctor to place up to three balloons over several months, with each balloon remaining in your stomach for up to one year total. This staged approach means you receive one balloon at first, then additional balloons are added during follow-up visits. After one year, all balloons are removed at once using an endoscopic procedure.

Each gastric balloon type has different costs, placement methods, and duration. The choice between them depends on factors like your doctor's recommendation, your medical history, insurance coverage, and your preferences about procedure length and balloon duration. Some people prefer the simplicity of a single balloon procedure, while others like the staged approach of multiple smaller balloons. Your healthcare provider can explain which options are available in your area and help you understand the differences.

Practical takeaway: Learning about the specific characteristics of each gastric balloon type—including how they're placed, how many balloons are involved, and how long they stay in place—helps you have informed conversations with your doctor about which option might suit your situation.

The Gastric Balloon Placement Procedure: What to Expect

Before your gastric balloon placement, your doctor will perform several tests to make sure the procedure is safe for you. These tests typically include blood work, a chest X-ray, and an upper endoscopy. The upper endoscopy allows your doctor to look inside your esophagus and stomach with a small camera to check for any conditions that might affect the procedure, such as ulcers or inflammation. You'll receive instructions about fasting before your procedure—most patients cannot eat or drink anything for 6 to 12 hours beforehand. This empty stomach is necessary so your doctor has a clear view during the procedure.

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On the day of your procedure, you'll arrive at the medical facility and change into a hospital gown. An anesthesiologist or nurse will place an IV line in your arm to deliver medication. Most gastric balloon placements use conscious sedation, which means you'll be relaxed and sleepy but still able to respond to commands. You won't be completely asleep, but you likely won't remember the procedure afterward. Your doctor will apply a local anesthetic spray to your throat to numb it and prevent gagging.

During the procedure itself, your doctor will gently guide the endoscope through your mouth and down your esophagus into your stomach. This part typically feels like mild pressure in your throat but shouldn't be painful because of the numbing medication. Through the endoscope, your doctor will position the deflated balloon in your stomach, then fill it with saline solution (for Orbera and Reshape) or nitrogen gas (for Obalon). Filling the balloon takes just a few minutes. The entire procedure usually lasts between 20 and 30 minutes from start to finish.

After the procedure, you'll move to a recovery area where nurses will monitor your vital signs and watch for any immediate complications. Most people feel drowsy for an hour or two as the sedation wears off. You may experience some mild discomfort in your throat, nausea, or a sense of stomach fullness immediately after the procedure. These sensations typically improve within a few days. Your doctor will give you specific instructions about eating and drinking after placement. For the first week, you'll usually follow a liquid or soft food diet to allow your stomach to adjust to the balloon. Gradually, you'll return to eating regular foods, though in much smaller portions than before.

Practical takeaway: Understanding the step-by-step process of balloon placement—from pre-procedure testing through recovery—helps you prepare mentally and physically for what to expect and reduces anxiety about the procedure.

Diet and Lifestyle Changes During Gastric Balloon Treatment

Having a gastric balloon in place requires significant changes to how and what you eat. The balloon makes your stomach feel full with smaller amounts of food, but this doesn't happen automatically—you still need to make deliberate choices about portion sizes and food types. Most people begin with a liquid diet for the first week after balloon placement, including broths, protein shakes, and clear liquids. By week two or three, you can usually introduce soft foods like yogurt, mashed vegetables, and scrambled eggs. After about four weeks, most people return to eating regular foods, but in much smaller quantities than they ate before the balloon.

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Nutrition becomes especially important during balloon treatment because you're eating less overall. Your doctor or a registered dietitian will likely recommend that you focus on nutrient-dense foods rather than empty calories. This means choosing foods high in protein and fiber while limiting sugary drinks, high-fat foods, and foods with little nutritional value. Protein is particularly important because it helps you feel full longer and protects your muscle mass while you're losing weight. Good protein sources include chicken, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and legumes. Fiber from vegetables and whole grains also helps with satiety and digestive health.

Drinking enough water and other fluids is