Gastric Balloon

A gastric balloon is a new type of weight loss surgery that helps to reduce the amount of food that can be eaten in one sitting. A silicone balloon is placed in the stomach and filled with saline, which reduces the space for food in the stomach and makes the stomach feel full faster. Gastric balloon placement is also used in overweight or obese patients to help reduce the risk of obesity-related disorders like heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or type 2 diabetes.

Gastric balloon placement is an outpatient procedure, typically performed in an endoscopy unit. The doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end, called an endoscope, to look down the esophagus into the stomach. The balloon is introduced to the stomach via a thin tube called a catheter. The endoscope lets the doctor monitor the filling of the balloon with saline.

Most gastric balloon procedures only take about 30 minutes, and most patients will be able to return home within hours of the procedure. The balloon can remain in place for up to six months, but then must be removed by endoscope. Nutritional counseling and other lifestyle treatments will be part of the recovery process.