Intragastric Balloon

If you are looking for a weight loss solution but are not quite ready for surgery — or if you do not yet meet the criteria for surgical bariatric procedures — the intragastric balloon may be exactly the right starting point for your weight loss journey. It is one of the most exciting non-surgical options available in obesity medicine today, and for the right patient, it can produce meaningful weight loss, jump-start healthier habits, and set the foundation for long-term success. I am genuinely enthusiastic about offering this option to my patients — and I look forward to telling you everything you need to know.

An intragastric balloon is a soft, flexible silicone balloon that is placed inside the stomach — without any incisions — and filled with saline solution to take up space in the stomach. By occupying a significant portion of the stomach's volume, the balloon creates a feeling of fullness and reduces hunger — helping you eat less, feel satisfied with smaller portions, and develop the healthier eating habits that are essential for long-term weight management.

The balloon is a temporary device — it is designed to remain in the stomach for a defined period of time, typically 6 months, after which it is removed. During that time, it serves as a powerful tool to jumpstart weight loss and establish the behavioral changes that support lasting results after the balloon is gone.

Currently, the most commonly used system is:

Orbera Balloon

• A single silicone balloon filled with approximately 400 to 700 milliliters of saline solution
• Placed and removed endoscopically — through the mouth using a flexible camera — under light sedation
• Remains in place for 6 months
• One of the most widely used and extensively studied balloon systems in the world

For balloon systems that require endoscopic placement, the procedure is quick, comfortable, and requires no incisions:

• You will receive light sedation or general anesthesia — so you are relaxed and comfortable throughout
• A thin, flexible camera called an endoscope is gently passed through the mouth into the stomach
• The deflated balloon is passed through the endoscope and positioned in the stomach
• The balloon is filled with sterile saline solution until it reaches the appropriate volume
• The filling catheter is detached and removed — leaving the balloon sitting freely in the stomach
• The entire placement procedure typically takes 15 to 20 minutes
• You will spend a short time in the recovery area and go home the same day

The first few days after balloon placement are the adjustment period — and I want to prepare you honestly so you know what to expect and feel confident navigating it:

The First Week

• Most patients experience some degree of nausea, vomiting, cramping, and abdominal discomfort in the first 3 to 5 days after placement — as the stomach adjusts to the presence of the balloon
• These symptoms are temporary and typically resolve within the first week as the stomach adapts
• We provide anti-nausea and anti-spasm medications to manage these symptoms and make the adjustment period as comfortable as possible
• Most patients are able to return to normal daily activities within 4 to 7 days

Diet After Balloon Placement Your diet will progress gradually during the first weeks after placement:

• Day 1 — clear liquids, sipped slowly and frequently, advancing to full liquids
• Days 2 to 7 — full liquids including protein shakes, soups, and smooth beverages
• Week 2 — soft, easily digestible foods
• Week 3 and afterwards — a healthy, balanced diet with reduced portions guided by your dietitian

One of the most valuable aspects of the intragastric balloon program is the comprehensive dietary and behavioral support that accompanies it. Our registered dietitian will work closely with you throughout the entire balloon period — teaching you new eating habits, helping you understand portion control, and building the nutritional foundation that will support your success long after the balloon is removed.

Physical Activity

• Light walking is encouraged from the first week
• More vigorous exercise can typically resume after the first 2 weeks
• Regular physical activity during the balloon period is one of the most important factors in maximizing weight loss and establishing habits that last

The intragastric balloon produces meaningful weight loss for most patients — and equally importantly, it provides a structured 6 to 12 month window to establish the healthy habits that are essential for maintaining results after removal.

Weight Loss:

• Most patients lose between 20 to 40 pounds during the balloon period — depending on starting weight, dietary adherence, and physical activity
• Studies show average total body weight loss of 10 to 15% during the balloon treatment period
• Weight loss is most rapid in the first 3 months and continues more gradually through the remainder of the treatment period

Health Improvements: Even modest weight loss of 5 to 10% of total body weight produces meaningful improvements in obesity-related health conditions:

• Blood sugar and insulin resistance improve — reducing diabetes risk and improving blood sugar control in patients with existing diabetes
• Blood pressure frequently improves as weight comes off
• Sleep apnea symptoms reduce as neck and airway fat decreases
• Joint pain and mobility improve as load on weight-bearing joints decreases
• Energy levels, mood, and overall sense of wellbeing improve profoundly for most patients

The Behavioral Foundation Perhaps the most underappreciated benefit of the intragastric balloon is the behavioral transformation it supports. The 6 to 12 months of the balloon period — during which hunger is reduced, portions are naturally smaller, and dietary support is provided — creates an ideal environment for establishing new eating habits, building a healthier relationship with food, and developing the physical activity routines that support long-term weight management. Patients who use this time intentionally and engage fully with our dietary and behavioral support program achieve the best and most lasting results.

The intragastric balloon is an excellent option for a wide range of patients, including:

• Patients who do not yet meet surgical criteria — with a BMI between 27 and 40 who want meaningful medical support for weight loss that goes beyond diet and exercise alone
• Patients who want to avoid surgery — and prefer a non-surgical, reversible, temporary approach to jump-starting their weight loss
• Patients who need to lose weight before surgery — the balloon can be used to reduce surgical risk in patients who need to lose weight before a planned orthopedic, cardiac, or other major surgical procedure
• Patients who want to try a less invasive option first — before committing to a permanent surgical procedure
• Patients with a BMI over 40 who want to lose weight before bariatric surgery — to reduce surgical risk and improve operative conditions for the planned bariatric procedure
• Patients who previously had bariatric surgery — and want a non-surgical option to address weight regain before considering revision surgery

One of the most important things I tell every balloon patient is this: the balloon is a tool — a powerful and valuable one — but it is not a permanent solution on its own. Its greatest value is as the starting point of a longer journey. Here is how I think about the balloon in the context of a comprehensive weight management plan:

For some patients, the balloon produces enough weight loss and behavioral change to set them on a trajectory of long-term success through lifestyle alone — and that is a wonderful outcome. For others, the balloon serves as a bridge — producing meaningful early weight loss and establishing healthier habits while the patient decides on or prepares for a more definitive long-term solution, whether that is bariatric surgery, weight loss medications, or a combination of both. For patients who need to lose weight before another surgical procedure, the balloon achieves that goal safely and effectively without the risks of bariatric surgery itself.

Whatever role the balloon plays in your individual journey — we will work with you to maximize its value and use it as the foundation for the most effective long-term weight management plan possible.

At the end of the treatment period — typically 6 months, the balloon is removed endoscopically:

• The procedure is performed under general anesthesia
• The balloon is punctured and deflated through the endoscope
• The deflated balloon is grasped and gently removed through the mouth
• The entire removal procedure takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes
• You go home the same day and resume normal activities within 1 to 2 days

After removal, some patients experience a brief recurrence of hunger and adjustment to eating without the balloon — which is why the dietary habits and behavioral changes established during the balloon period are so critically important. Our dietitian and care team remain actively involved after removal to support you through this transition and help you maintain your results.

If you are curious about the intragastric balloon and want to find out if it is right for you, a consultation with our team is the perfect first step. Here is what you can expect:

• A thorough review of your weight history, medical history, previous weight loss attempts, and current health conditions
• An honest discussion of all available weight loss options — including the balloon, weight loss medications, and surgical procedures — so you can make a fully informed decision
• A personalized recommendation based on your individual situation, goals, and preferences
• An opportunity to ask every question you have — there are no silly questions, and we want you to leave feeling completely informed and genuinely excited about your path forward

Our consultation process is warm, welcoming, and completely judgment-free. Whether you are just beginning to explore your options or have been thinking about this for years — you are in the right place, and we are genuinely glad you are here.

The bottom line: the intragastric balloon is an exciting, effective, and completely non-surgical option for patients who are ready to take meaningful action on their weight — without going to the operating room. It is safe, temporary, reversible, and — for the right patient — a genuinely powerful first step toward a healthier, lighter, and more energetic life. If you are ready to find out whether the balloon is right for you, I look forward to meeting you and exploring that together. That conversation starts here — and it could be the beginning of everything you have been hoping for.