Feeling stuck between diet plans and big operations? An intragastric balloon could be your “just-right” middle ground. It’s a soft, silicone balloon that slips into your stomach during a quick endoscopic visit, fills part of the space where food would sit, and helps you feel full on smaller meals. Translation: you eat less, lose weight, and still skip the scalpel.
Because the balloon stays only six months, you get a powerful jump-start without a lifetime implant. You’ll work with a care team; dietitian, doctor, coach, to lock in healthy habits before the device comes out. That teamwork is the secret sauce that keeps pounds from sneaking back.
Key Takeaways
- A temporary, nonsurgical stomach balloon placed via outpatient endoscopy or swallowable capsule helps early fullness and reduces hunger, aiding meaningful weight loss.
- The device typically stays six months, then removal; success improves with dietitian coaching, portion control, mindful eating, and regular physical activity.
- Most adults with BMI around thirty to forty qualify when lifestyle changes alone fall short, or before higher-risk surgery requiring preoperative weight reduction.
- Common early side effects include nausea, abdominal cramping, acid reflux, sore throat, constipation, and indigestion; serious complications are uncommon but possible.
- Average results hover near ten percent total body weight loss at six months; ongoing follow-ups help maintain progress and reduce chances of regain.
Table of Contents
What Is An Intragastric Balloon?
An intragastric balloon (IGB) is a temporary, nonsurgical device placed in the stomach to help with weight loss. In an outpatient endoscopy procedure the deflated balloon is passed through the mouth into the stomach under mild sedation (some balloon systems use a swallowable capsule instead of endoscopic placement).
Once positioned the balloon is filled (many devices use sterile saline; some systems use a gas fill) to occupy a substantial portion of gastric volume, then the delivery catheter is removed and the balloon is sealed. Placement is commonly completed within about 20–30 minutes for endoscopic systems (some capsule systems are quicker), and patients usually go home the same day after a short recovery.
By reducing available stomach volume and slowing gastric emptying, the balloon promotes earlier satiety and can reduce hunger between meals. Most currently approved balloons are intended for temporary use (commonly about six months) and are removed endoscopically; adjustable and longer-term designs are being studied. U.S. guidance and device labeling generally consider IGBs for adults with BMI around 30–40 kg/m² who have not met weight-loss goals with diet and exercise or who need weight reduction before higher-risk surgery.
Several brands exist: saline-filled systems such as ORBERA are among the most studied, while systems such as Obalon use swallowable, gas-filled capsules that do not require endoscopy for placement (removal is endoscopic). Clinical trials and meta-analyses report average weight losses on the order of ~10% total body weight at six months (with larger percent excess-weight-loss figures reported in some studies), and improvements in obesity-related conditions (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea) are commonly observed in patients who lose weight.
Benefits, Risks, and What to Expect
Big wins: Besides meaningful weight loss, the intragastric balloon avoids incisions, general anesthesia, and permanent changes to your digestive tract. Recovery is fast, you spend a day or two on liquids, then advance to puréed and soft foods before settling into a balanced long-term meal plan. Because the balloon is temporary, it serves as a training tool: you learn portion control, mindful eating, and daily activity while the device does part of the heavy lifting.
Common bumps in the road: Your stomach needs time to accept its new roommate. For the first week you may feel nausea, abdominal cramping, or acid reflux. Over-the-counter or prescription meds usually tame these symptoms. Other short-lived issues include sore throat, constipation, or mild indigestion.
Serious but rare risks: Roughly 3 % of patients experience persistent GI upset that requires early removal. Hyperinflation (balloon refills itself) happens at about 2 %. Deflation and migration occur in 1–2 %, your urine will turn blue-green if the saline-filled balloon leaks, serving as a built-in alarm. Very uncommon complications include pancreatitis, stomach or esophageal ulcers, and intestinal blockage; the risk of a life-threatening perforation sits near 0.1 %.
Day-by-day life: In the first month you’ll check in often with your care team. They help you transition from liquids to regular food, tweak medications, and set exercise goals. You’ll keep a food log and practice eating slowly, stopping at early fullness. These habits lock in while the physical space-holder is there.
When the balloon comes out: Removal is another 20-minute endoscopy. After deflation the team suctions out the saline or gas and slides the balloon back through your mouth. Most clinics keep you on for another six months of coaching to protect your hard-earned progress. Long-term studies show the few who regain weight are usually those who drift away from follow-up visits. Stick with the program and you improve the odds of keeping the weight off for good.
Discover a Gentler Way to Lose Weight
Frequently Asked Questions
Six months is standard; after that it’s removed to avoid wear and tear.
Most people drop about 10 % of their starting weight, though results vary with diet and exercise effort.
You’re sedated, so you’ll feel pressure, not pain. Mild throat soreness is common afterward.
A blue-tinted saline leak turns your urine blue or green—an early signal to call your doctor for removal.
You’ll start on liquids, progress to soft foods, then adopt a portion-controlled, balanced diet your nutritionist guides.
Coverage varies widely; check with your insurer and clinic’s billing team before scheduling.
Most devices are FDA-approved for adults only; trials in adolescents are ongoing. Ask a pediatric bariatric specialist.
Usually not, since digestion stays intact, but your care team may suggest multivitamins for overall health.
You and your provider can revisit lifestyle plans, medications, or consider another balloon or surgery if needed.
People with hiatal hernia, GI ulcers, prior stomach surgery, bleeding disorders, or certain liver diseases are generally not candidates.
