Gastric balloon procedures are a non-surgical weight loss option for people who have concerns about weight and have tried diet and exercise without success. The silicone or thin polymer film balloon is placed in the stomach endoscopically and then filled with saline or nitrogen.

Some balloons, like the Allurion Gastric Balloon, can be swallowed. The balloon takes up space in your stomach, allowing you to feel fuller for longer, eat less, and lose more weight. An intragastric balloon, like other weight-loss procedures, requires a commitment to a healthier lifestyle. Permanent healthy changes to your diet and regular exercise are recommended to ensure the procedure’s long-term success.

The most significant difference between a gastric balloon vs. a gastric sleeve is that a balloon is designed for temporary placement, whereas a sleeve is a permanent adjustment to stomach size. In fact, a gastric sleeve can reduce the size of your stomach by as much as 80 percent. 

There can also be differences in the type of results you can expect between a gastric sleeve and a gastric balloon. While both procedures will reduce the size of your stomach, the permanence of a gastric sleeve often leads to higher weight loss. There are also differences in pricing and recovery to consider, as a gastric balloon is less expensive and requires a much shorter recovery time in comparison to a gastric sleeve.

A gastric balloon can cause some pain and discomfort – but this is temporary and typically only noticeable within the first seven days after your procedure. You may experience stomach cramping or dull aching within the first 48 hours, as the gastric balloon can cause your stomach muscles to become irritated. Most patients don’t even notice that the gastric balloon is there after the first week.

You will need to fast before your gastric balloon procedure, and your surgeon will provide specific instructions for both food and liquid. Most surgeons require between 6 to 12 hours of fasting before a gastric balloon can be inserted, though this timing can vary. You may also need to switch to a liquid-only diet in the days before your procedure to help ensure your stomach is prepared for a gastric balloon.

You can also prepare for a gastric balloon by making healthier meal choices ahead of time. The long-term success of a gastric balloon depends largely on how well you can adjust your eating habits, as the balloon will only be in place for 6 to 12 months. Avoid overly processed, calorie-dense, or fatty foods and instead opt for high protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. 

Along with making healthier meal choices, you can also prepare for a gastric balloon by creating a regular workout routine. Increasing physical activity is especially important for patients who are not generally active, as exercise will help boost results from a gastric balloon. Starting an exercise routine before your procedure will lay the foundation for healthy, repeatable habits over time.

Your surgeon will provide specific instructions for the types of food you can safely eat throughout the duration of your gastric balloon. While the length of time for each phase can vary from one patient to the next, you can expect to resume eating normal foods around three weeks after your procedure. There are four phases to the foods you can eat with a gastric balloon: liquid, blended, soft, and solid.

Liquid: This includes water, broths, tea, and juice. Keep in mind that you’ll want to start with small, frequent sips at first to avoid nausea or discomfort. 

Blended: This includes yogurt, cottage cheese, hummus, or pureed soups, smoothies, and fruits or vegetables. Aim for multiple small meals, and expect that you will start feeling fuller sooner within the blended food phase. 

Soft: This includes foods like rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, soft cheeses, oatmeal, and scrambled eggs. When making pasta or vegetables, be sure to fully cook so that these foods are soft and able to easily be mashed with a fork or other utensil. 

Solid: Once your surgeon clears you to move onto the solid phase, you can slowly reincorporate “normal” foods back into your diet. Keep in mind, however, that this doesn’t always mean you can eat the same way that you did before a gastric balloon: there are still some foods that you may need to avoid entirely. Popcorn, seeds, chips, and bread are all examples of foods that can be difficult for your stomach to tolerate while you have a gastric balloon. 

Your surgeon will help you learn the foods that are safe to eat throughout each phase of your gastric balloon. Most importantly, listen to your body and don’t overdo it: if you experience cramping, stomach upset, or nausea, you may need to rethink your diet.

Gastric balloon removal is a simple, painless procedure that typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete. Your surgeon will administer anesthesia and will insert an endoscope through your mouth and into your stomach. The gastric balloon is punctured, and saline is drained via a catheter. 

Once fully drained, your surgeon will reinsert the endoscope to remove the deflated balloon from your stomach. You will be sedated throughout the procedure, and should not feel any pain or discomfort after your gastric balloon is removed.

Your gastric balloon consult will include a comprehensive overview of your medical history, including any pre-existing conditions, current medications, prior surgeries, and any weight loss strategies that you’ve tried in the past. You should come to your gastric balloon consult prepared to talk about your weight loss goals, any questions or concerns, as well as your plans for diet and lifestyle changes following the procedure.

Your surgeon will provide a detailed overview of how the process works to help you understand what to expect from the procedure and your recovery time. They also may ask you to undergo a psychological evaluation to determine whether you are fully prepared and in the right frame of mind to make the required lifestyle changes.

There are three types of gastric balloons to choose from:

Orbera: The Orbera balloon is inserted endoscopically and then filled with either air or saline solution. It remains in your stomach for about six months before being removed.

Obalon: The Obalon is a three-balloon system that you swallow over a few months during in-office visits. Obalon balloon capsules are approximately the size of a large grape. After six months, the balloons are removed using an endoscope.

Allurion Balloon: The Allurion Balloon is a pill balloon capsule, which is swallowed under the guidance of healthcare professionals. Unlike other intragastric balloons, it is a procedure that does not require endoscopy. Once the pill is swallowed, the Balloon will be inflated in your stomach, and then you will be checked using quick x-rays before leaving. After 16 weeks, the balloon will deflate on its own and passed naturally by the body after it degrades.

Your doctor may recommend a gastric balloon if you meet the following criteria:

• Body mass index (BMI) over 27.

• Body mass index (BMI) between 35 and 40 with a disabling health risk associated with obesity such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea (required for some types of balloons).

• You are willing to commit to healthy lifestyle changes in diet and exercise.

• You have not had any previous stomach or esophageal surgery.

• You need to lose weight to reduce surgical risks before an operation.

• Have realistic expectations.

Gastric balloon procedures last between 20 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the type of balloon used. Gastric balloons are designed to stay in the stomach for about six months. The balloon is inflated for the required period of time, then deflated and may be removed with endoscopy.

With the Allurion Gastric Balloon, the entire procedure takes approximately 15 minutes with an outpatient visit. You will swallow the pill and then checked using a quick x-ray before leaving the office.

After the balloon is placed, you may experience some discomfort that lasts for a few days to a few weeks. Some discomfort is normal, but report anything unusual or painful to your bariatric surgeon. Patients typically leave the hospital and go home the same day, but it is advised to have a ride home.

During the first week of the procedure, most patients are not hungry and may experience nausea that worsens with food intake. Patients should follow a liquid diet for one to two weeks before starting to eat soft foods. You should be able to resume regular eating three weeks after the intragastric balloon was inserted. Weight loss can be significant during the first week. It is critical that you follow the recovery steps prescribed by your doctor.

The average gastric balloon patient loses a moderate amount of weight very quickly after the procedure. Many patients report weight loss results within three months of insertion, and patients can expect to lose 10 to 15% of their current body weight, or one-third of their excess weight, within six months.

• Month 3: Approximately 15% of excess weight

• Month 6: Approximately 30% of excess weight

*Actual weight loss could be higher or lower

Gastric balloons can be left in place for up to six months before being removed with an endoscope. Depending on the strategy decided by you and your doctor at that point, a new balloon may be inserted or not. As gastric balloon is not viewed as a “long-term fix,” long-term weight loss is reliant on the patient’s diet and lifestyle choices.

As for the the Allurion Gastric Balloon, the results can last a lifetime. You will be supported by the Allurion Connected Scale, Health Tracker, and App, so by the time the balloon passes, you will have developed new food preferences, adjusted to smaller portion sizes, and developed a new understanding of your body which can lead to real results.

After focusing on a new diet and exercise regimen for weight loss that you and your doctor have discussed, successful patients focus their attention to the following after the balloon is removed:

• Eat slowly.

• Schedule your meals.

• Choose nutrient-dense foods.

• Eliminate fast foods and sodas.

• Continue a sustainable exercise routine.

The gastric balloon is a relatively low-risk and issue free procedure. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential risks and side effects.

• Cramps, nausea, bloating, & vomiting: you may experience a combination of these symptoms in the first couple weeks following the procedure as your stomach is readjusting to the balloon.

• Overinflation: if the balloon is overinflated, you may experience abdominal pain/ swelling, vomiting, or difficulty breathing.

• Punctured esophagus: since a scope will be used during the procedure, there is a minuscule possibility that it could puncture the esophagus.

• Deflation/ stomach blockage: it is possible for the balloon to deflate in the stomach and cause a blockage.

• Stomach ulcer or rupture: although a rare complication, your surgeon may advise anti-ulcer medication to be taken throughout the time the balloon is in your stomach to reduce the chance of this risk.

The cost of a gastric balloon depends on factors such as geographic location, the surgeon & their experience, and the complexity of your surgery. Typically, the cost in Canada ranges from $6,000 – $9,000.

5/7 people who received a gastric balloon rated the treatment “Worth It” (71%).

• Source- Realself.com