How Does the ORBERA® Gastric Balloon Work?

Control portion size. Learn healthy habits. See real results.

The ORBERA® Gastric Balloon is a weight loss solution designed to help with portion control and ultimately improve weight loss.

ORBERA® is a durable gastric balloon made out of soft silicone. While it is temporarily in your stomach for six months it encourages your body to adapt to healthier portion sizes. The shape and volume of the stomach balloon takes up enough space in your stomach to help you adapt to healthier portion sizes. The technology and design of the balloon helps patients lose up to 3x the weight of diet and exercise alone.

Non-surgical

Preformed by a gastroenterologist , the gastric balloon is inserted orally through your esophagus and placed directly into your stomach during a quick, non-surgical procedure.

Non-invasive

The 30-minute procedure is completed while you are mildly sedated. Most patients go home to start their weight loss journey on the same day.

Not permanent

After the first six months of the weight loss program the stomach balloon is carefully removed.

No incisions

Since the weight loss balloon is inserted through your throat and into your stomach there is no need for any incisions, stitches or scars.

WEIGHT LOSS BALLOON PLACEMENT

The ORBERA® is placed into the stomach in a simple, non-surgical outpatient procedure. First, a diagnostic endoscopy is done to ensure that there are no contraindications and that it is safe to perform the procedure. Once you are mildly sedated and comfortable, the procedure can begin.

The deflated gastric balloon is inserted through the esophagus and into your stomach. A syringe is then used to fill the balloon with a sterile saline solution. Once the weight loss balloon has been filled with saline it is about the size of a grapefruit. The entire procedure takes about 20-30 minutes. After roughly two hours of recovery, most patients head home to begin the rest of their new life.

6 MONTHS WITH ORBERA®

The ORBERA® weight loss balloon stays in your stomach for six months after the procedure. With the stomach balloon and support team, patients usually see the most drastic results in the first three months. It is very important to use this time to develop healthy habits that will continue for the rest of your life. During the six months you will learn how to use your ORBERA® as a tool to aid in your weight loss. Having open and constant communication with your support team is crucial to maximizing the benefits of the ORBERA® weight loss system. Over the 6-months you may have regular face-to-face sessions with your treatment team, dietician, fitness trainer, psychologist and exercise psychologist.

THE REMOVAL

Once the stomach balloon has been in place for six months the balloon is removed. The simple and non-surgical procedure is very similar to the placement process. Once the ORBERA® gastric balloon has been removed it is very important to continue the personal diet and exercise plan given to you. This will help to keep you in a positive and healthy mindset while achieving your weight loss goals.

Maintaining the healthy lifestyle choices you have established will help you continue to lose weight and keep it off.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery vs. Gastric Balloon Procedure

Struggling to lose weight is a discouraging and frustrating experience. If you have tried to lose weight through diet and exercise, but found those alone weren’t working for you, perhaps you are looking for other options. The gastric sleeve and gastric balloon weight loss procedures have helped many people achieve lasting weight loss. These procedures have some similarities and differences, and one may work better for some people than the other. Scheduling a consultation with a bariatric surgeon is important if you are ready for weight loss surgery, but if you are just starting to explore your options, then learning more about both procedures can help you make an informed decision.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

During gastric sleeve surgery, a portion of your stomach is removed so that the remaining stomach has a much smaller capacity, which physically limits the amount of food you can consume at one time. Your remaining stomach is narrower, around the shape and size of a banana. This results in feeling full faster and allows you to control your hunger and eat less food. Levels of ghrelin, a hormone produced in the stomach, drop after the operation. Ghrelin is related to hunger, so having lower levels in your bloodstream helps reduce cravings and feelings of hunger.

Gastric Balloon Procedure

The gastric balloon is a non-surgical procedure where one or two balloons are inserted through your mouth into your stomach while you are under light sedation. This procedure is low risk and reversible; the balloons are removed six months later. The balloons take up space in your stomach, making you feel satisfied with smaller amounts of food. This built-in portion control helps you adopt healthier eating habits so that you can continue to maintain your weight loss after the balloons are removed.

Similarities

Both procedures are restrictive, meaning they reduce the size of the stomach. Less stomach space makes the body feel full faster and experience less hunger. They also decrease the amount of ghrelin in your bloodstream so you feel less hungry. Both are safe and effective at promoting weight loss along with a healthy diet and exercise. The gastric sleeve generally promotes more weight loss than the gastric balloon. The key to success with either method is motivation and commitment. The gastric sleeve and gastric balloons are tools to help you achieve your weight loss goals, but to be successful you must commit to a healthier lifestyle.

Non-Invasive vs. Minimally Invasive

The gastric balloon is non-invasive, involving no cuts inside or outside the body. The gastric sleeve is minimally invasive because it involves some cuts both inside and outside the body. The cuts are minimal, but—like with any medical procedure—can sometimes lead to complications, including blood clots, infection and leaking. Because the gastric balloon is non-invasive, it doesn’t have these risks.

Temporary vs. Permanent

The gastric balloon is temporary; it’s removed after six months, or sooner if necessary. It therefore doesn’t have long term consequences. On the other hand, the gastric sleeve is permanent. Often, this is an advantage, but it can have downsides too. You may need to take daily supplements to make sure your nutritional needs are being met, and some people find they have new food sensitivities after the procedure.

Different Candidates

Different people qualify for the two procedures. For the gastric sleeve, you must have a BMI over 40, or at least one obesity-related disease and a BMI over 35. You must show you are committed to weight loss and be healthy enough for the surgery. The gastric balloon requires the same commitment to weight loss, but only requires a BMI over 27. It is a good option for people wanting to try to lose weight naturally. The gastric balloon provides an option for people who had few weight loss options in the past besides diet and exercise because they weren’t candidates for weight loss surgery.

Recovery Time

Because the gastric balloon is non-invasive, it involves little downtime. Balloon insertion is a quick procedure that doesn’t require a hospital stay; you’ll usually be able to go home in a few hours. A brief period of adjustment follows as your body gets used to the presence of the balloon(s). A minority of patients experience mild dehydration. Recovery times for the gastric sleeve vary, but most patients are able to resume normal activity in one to two weeks.

Weight Loss Results

The gastric sleeve is more likely to lead to dramatic weight loss than the gastric balloon. People seeking to lose between 20 and 40 pounds should consider the gastric balloon, but those who are looking for more significant weight loss should consider the gastric sleeve. As with all endoscopic services , consult with your doctor for professional advice.

Choosing a Procedure

The procedure that’s best for you depends on a number of factors, including your health, BMI and how much weight you want to lose. The gastric sleeve and gastric balloon procedures are great options for many people who have tried to lose weight with diet and exercise alone without much success. If you are struggling to lose weight, there are options available to help you achieve your goals.

Read More About How a Gastric Balloon Works and the Benefits
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The AGA Recommends Intragastric Balloons for Weight Loss
Endoscopic Gastric Balloon for Bariatric Weight Loss
What Is Intragastric Balloon Therapy for Weight Loss?
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Intragastric Balloon: An Overview
The Orbera® Gastric Balloon is More Than Just a Balloon

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