ORBERA GASTRIC BALLOON

Pros

• The balloon can accelerate weight loss. According to the FDA, a trial involving 255 patients showed that those with the Orbera balloon system “lost an average of 21.8 pounds (10.2% of their body weight)" after six months.  
• Unlike some other weight-loss options, it's not bariatric surgery, which means you won't need anesthesia or downtime. 
• The coaching you’ll receive can help you create healthy habits and maintain your results for years.
• Some RealSelf members’ Orbera before and after photos show significant weight loss.

Cons

• Serious side effects (including death) are rare but possible. 
• It takes at least two weeks to start eating normally again. 
• Some foods can stick to the balloon and cause heartburn.
• Orbera results are less dramatic than those you’d get from weight-loss surgery. RealSelf members give it a significantly lower Worth It Rating than gastric bypass or a sleeve gastrectomy.
• If you don’t follow the diet and exercise plan, you may not experience any weight loss.
• Long-term results depend on your ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

• Average Cost:
• $6,750

• Range:
• $5,500 - $8,000

Your price will depend on your doctor’s location, their level of experience, and whether you’ll need to pay to use the Orbera Coach app after removal.

The total cost includes:

• Your consultation
• Diagnostic endoscopy and Orbera balloon insertion
• Balloon removal
• Access to a treatment team (doctors, dietitian, and fitness trainer)

Even if you have the procedure for obesity-related health concerns, Orbera is not covered by health insurance.

You can finance your treatment with CareCredit.

The Orbera gastric balloon photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Your doctor may recommend the Orbera balloon system if you have obesity-related problems like cardiovascular disease or diabetes, and other nonsurgical weight-loss programs haven't worked for you. 

The system is typically recommended for patients with a BMI of 30–40, though one study suggested that the Orbera weight loss balloon can offer short-term results for some more obese patients. Some gastric balloon reviews show a significant reduction in body mass index, amounting to more than 10 inches off the waist.

You’ll need to stick to a regular exercise program, a healthy diet, and other lifestyle changes to see these kinds of results. Dr. Christopher McGowan, a physician in Cary, North Carolina, explains in a RealSelf Q&A how to optimize your weight loss with Orbera. “The amount of weight you lose will depend on your motivation level and how much you really put the balloon to work. You need to maximize your exercise, perfect your diet, and allow the balloon to keep your appetite in check.”

The Orbera balloon isn't a good weight loss system for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant in the next six months. Health issues, such as ulcers or stomach irritation, could also make you ineligible.

During an initial consultation with your gastroenterologist, bariatric surgeon, or other qualified doctor, they’ll review your medical history and do a physical exam.

On procedure day, you’ll be sedated before you have a endoscopic procedure to confirm you're eligible. 

To place the balloon, the doctor will gently push the deflated balloon down your throat to your stomach. Then they’ll inflate the balloon with saline solution until it’s the size of a grapefruit. This takes about 20 minutes. 

You’ll be groggy afterward, so be sure to have someone there to take you home. 

Until your body gets used to the balloon, you may have nausea, pain, and some acid reflux. Your doctor may prescribe an acid blocker or other medication to relieve these symptoms. 

You'll be on a liquid diet for up to a week after Orbera is placed. Then you can start eating soft foods, and you should be eating normally within two to three weeks. You’ll notice that you feel full more quickly.

You'll use an online program to work with a dietitian, fitness trainer, and doctor to improve your diet and exercise habits. If you follow their plan, you can expect to lose weight.

After six months, your doctor will remove the balloon, in a procedure similar to the insertion. For six months after that, it's important to continue to work with your specialists via the online program to maintain your results and solidify your new habits.

The Orbera system carries fewer risks and has a lower complication rate than bariatric surgery. However, anyone considering this option should be aware that the FDA issued this warning letter about Orbera’s risks in 2018, after three people died from "gastric perforation one day to 3.5 weeks after balloon placement" and a fourth died from causes that are still under investigation. The FDA is continuing to monitor the post-approval study for the device. 

Other risks of gastric balloons include:

• Acid reflux
• Stomach pain
• Infection
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal or back pain
• Digestive problems 
• Blockage that may prevent food entering the stomach
• Partial or full bowel blockage

Talk with your doctor about the likelihood of experiencing these risks and side effects.