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