What Is a Gastric Balloon?
A gastric balloon is a temporary weight-loss device that goes inside your stomach. It takes up room in your stomach, so you feel full sooner and eat less.
You don’t need surgery to get a gastric balloon. Instead, your provider uses an endoscopic technique. An endoscope is a camera that allows your provider to operate without any surgery. The outpatient procedure only takes 15–20 minutes, and you can go home the same day. Your provider removes the balloon after six months.
Research shows gastric balloons can help people lose significant weight. You should commit to a healthy lifestyle if you want to keep your weight off.
Who Qualifies for a Gastric Balloon?
Your provider can help you decide if a gastric balloon is right for you. Gastric balloons can work well for people in a variety of situations:
- You are highly motivated to lose weight but can’t reach your goals with diet and exercise alone.
- You want to lose weight but don’t want weight loss surgery.
- Weight loss surgery isn’t medically safe for you.
Find a Gastric Balloon Specialist
Gastric Balloon Pros & Cons
Gastric balloon placement has many benefits. But it isn’t for everyone. Your provider can help you understand the pros and cons of this weight loss option.
Gastric Balloon Pros
You can expect the following benefits when you get a gastric balloon:
-
Gastric balloons are not permanent. They only stay in your body for six months.
-
Unlike weight loss surgery, gastric balloons do not change your body’s anatomy.
-
Gastric balloons make it easier to eat less because you feel fuller.
Gastric Balloon Cons
The main con of gastric balloon placement is how you feel the first 2–3 days after the procedure. You will experience nausea and abdominal cramping as your body adjusts to the balloon. Your care team will help you manage these symptoms with fluids and medicine.
Gastric balloons are temporary. They cannot replace a healthy diet and exercise if you want to keep a healthy weight. A gastric balloon will only work if you are ready to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Gastric Balloon Placement: What to Expect
Gastric balloon placement happens at an outpatient endoscopy unit at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ of Utah Health. You will be at the endoscopy unit for about two hours on the day of your procedure.
When you arrive, our care team will take your vital signs and prepare you for the procedure.
-
You will lie on a table in the endoscopy room when it’s time for your procedure.
-
The care team will give you light sedatives and pain medicine.
-
The provider will thread a catheter—a long, flexible tube—down your throat and into your stomach. The deflated balloon is inside the catheter.
-
The provider will thread a second tube alongside the first. This tube has a camera that allows the provider to see inside your body.
-
The provider will fill the balloon with salt water to inflate it. Then, they will remove the catheter and camera from your body.
The procedure will take about 15–30 minutes. You can return home after a short recovery time. You should not drive and will need to get a ride or other transportation.
How a Gastric Balloon Works
The balloon leaves less space inside your stomach for food. You can still enjoy healthy foods but will feel fuller faster when eating. One reason you feel full faster is that the gastric balloon slows down the time it takes to empty your stomach. The balloon may also change levels of your hormones that control your appetite.
You must follow healthy eating and exercise habits after gastric balloon placement. This will help you lose weight while the balloon is inside your stomach. You should continue these habits after your provider removes the balloon.
Many people also take weight loss medicine while the balloon is in their stomach. They may continue taking these medications after their provider removes the balloon. The medicine can help them reach their weight loss goals.
Support for Your Weight Loss Journey
U of U Health offers a one-year program to support your weight loss efforts with the gastric balloon. During that year, you will meet regularly with members of our team:
- A gastroenterologist who does endoscopic procedures
- A dietician
- An exercise physiologist—a care professional who specializes in physical exercise
Our team will help you adopt lifestyle changes to ensure that you have a successful weight loss journey.
Gastric Balloon Recovery
You must follow these guidelines after your procedure:
- Avoid driving, heavy lifting, or any activity requiring mental sharpness for 24 hours after your procedure.
- Make plans to be away from work for a few days.
- Consume only clear liquids for a few days as your stomach adjusts to the balloon.
You will experience nausea and abdominal cramping during the first 2–3 days after the procedure. These are normal symptoms to have while your body adjusts to the balloon.
Our goal is to relieve any unpleasant symptoms you have. You will have a follow-up appointment the day after surgery to help ease your discomfort. There, you will receive fluids and medicine for pain and nausea.
Gastric Balloon Removal
Your provider will remove your balloon after about six months. Gastric balloons are made of a soft, non-toxic substance called silicone. Silicone balloons break down if left in the stomach for too long.
You will return to the endoscopy center when it’s time to remove your gastric balloon. Removal is a simple outpatient procedure that takes less than 20 minutes. You will receive light anesthesia, and you will sleep during the procedure. You can’t drive yourself home, so you should arrange for transportation.
Health risks from inserting and removing the balloon are very low.
Life After the Gastric Balloon Is Removed
Gastric balloon placement helps you jump-start your long-term weight loss. It is only the beginning of your weight loss journey.
Our team continues to help you meet your long-term weight loss goals after your provider removes your balloon. We meet with you regularly to talk about your progress, offer diet and exercise strategies, and provide support every step of the way.
Gastric Balloon Results
The amount of weight you lose depends on how much you can change your lifestyle habits.
On average, patients lose about 10–15% of their body weight after six months with the balloon. But, many people lose more weight if they make lifestyle changes too. By keeping up these new habits, you can continue to lose weight even after we remove the gastric balloon.
For example, some studies have shown that people who make lifestyle changes and get a gastric balloon lose up to 29% of their body weight.
Gastric Balloon Cost
Below is an overview of typical charges for gastric balloon placement and removal. You need to pay the entire amount by the day of your procedure.
We accept all major credit cards. Third-party financing is available.
Is Gastric Balloon Placement Covered By Insurance?
Most insurance companies don’t cover the cost of gastric balloons. Insurance coverage for gastric sleeve surgery and weight loss medicine varies. Your insurance company can tell you which weight loss therapies your plan covers.
Gastric Balloon Diet
You will follow a liquid diet for 2–3 days after your gastric balloon placement. A liquid diet will help your body adjust to the balloon. You can eat all the foods you enjoy in a healthy diet after a couple of weeks.
Weight Loss Treatment at U of U Health
The Weight Management Program at U of U Health offers three weight loss treatments:
-
Gastric balloon
The United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approves all three therapies for weight loss. Your provider will work with you to find the best weight loss options for you.
Gastric Balloon vs. Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most common weight loss surgeries. In this procedure, a surgeon removes part of your stomach. Your new stomach shape is a long, narrow tube that looks like a sleeve.
Gastric balloons and gastric sleeve surgery both restrict how much food you can eat. Your stomach also digests slower, which makes you feel fuller.
But a gastric sleeve involves surgery and changes the shape and size of your stomach permanently. A gastric balloon procedure is non-surgical and temporary.
Gastric Balloon vs. Medical Weight Loss
New weight loss medications help reduce your appetite and food cravings. They can also make you feel fuller. These medications are effective while you take them. But, they can cause side effects such as nausea.
Some weight loss medications also help treat diabetes.
Why Choose U of U Health for Gastric Balloon Placement?
Providers at U of U Health specialize in helping people achieve a healthy weight. They see patients at the Weight Management Program at Sugar House Health Center.
Our team of diverse specialists will support you in your weight loss journey through every phase of care. We have helped many people lose weight safely with long-term results. We provide the personal attention and expertise you need as you pursue your weight loss goals.
Make an Appointment With a Gastric Balloon Specialist
You do not need a referral to make an appointment with a weight loss specialist at U of U Health. Call 801-587-3656 or request an appointment online.
Resources for Our Patients
Meet the Team
Our comprehensive weight management team is here to help you successfully lose weight and support you in your weight loss journey. We can provide all the care you need, from surgeons and physician assistants to dietitians and even financial advocates.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
Why Is It So Hard to Lose Weight?
How much you weigh is controlled by complex interactions between hormones and neurons in your hypothalamus. For most overweight people, their body tries to prevent permanent weight loss. This means your body is actually working against you to lose weight.
How Many Meals Should I Be Eating Each Day to Lose Weight?
Looking to lose some weight? You've probably heard that eating five small meals a day is the secret. What does the research suggest? A registered dietitian clears up the confusion about how many meals you should eat.
