Obalon? Orbera? ReShape? What would you recommend for a new mom?

Question

I've been dealing with weight gain for years, having a baby made it even more difficult. I am very interested in learning the differences between the Obalon and the Orbera. I also researched the ReShape, but not really interested in that one, but feel free to talk about it anyway. I weight almost 200lbs and I am 5'3. Thank you.

Christopher E. McGowan, MD · Answer

Hi Justina, 
You would be an excellent candidate for either the Orbera or Obalon balloon systems. Your BMI is approximately 35, which is right within the target population for these devices. Weight gain after pregnancy is a common scenario that we hear from our patients. An intragastric balloon is a great way to "kick-start" a weight loss program, and to lose 20-50lbs relatively quickly. 
So how to choose between Orbera and Obalon? There's no right answer. Orbera has been around longer, and is the leading fluid-filled balloon. It definitely causes the most rapid weight loss, with most of the weight loss occurring in the first 3-4 months. The tradeoff is a higher rate of nausea and discomfort. That is primarily because the balloon is large, and relatively heavy (close to 1.5lbs), which means it sits at the bottom of the stomach. This not only takes up space, but also slows stomach emptying. The result is rapid weight loss, but also a lot of nausea in the beginning. Everyone has nausea, and most people will feel better after 1-2 weeks. However, up to 5-10% of patients will not tolerate the nausea that can occur, and may want the balloon out early.
Obalon is the newest intragastric balloon, and offers 2 potential advantages. First, it is swallowed, which means you don't need an initial endoscopy. A total of 3 balloons are swallowed over 2-3 months. Each one is filled with gas. The other main advantage is less nausea. These balloons are light, and float to the top of the stomach. Most people will experience cramping and mild nausea for 1-2 days after each balloon is swallowed. It's still possible to have severe nausea, but it's less common than with Orbera. The tradeoff is that the weight loss is slower. You will progressively lose weight after each balloon, and for the full 6 months (before removal). It's also worth mentioning that if you have any trouble swallowing pills, or foods, you probably won't be able to swallow the Obalon pills that contain the balloons. They are definitely quite large (we have you do a "test" swallow in the office, with an identically-sized sugar pill). 
Finally, many people ask which balloon will cause more weight loss. Unfortunately, it's tough to say. There are no head-to-head studies comparing the two. If you look at the individual US studies of Orbera and Obalon, the total weight loss was higher with Orbera. But again, these are different studies with different populations, so we can't say what would work better for an individual. In general, we advise that either option will typically provide an average of 20-50lbs of weight loss. 
So to summarize: Orbera is faster, but may have more side effects. Obalon is better tolerated, but the weight loss is slower. If you have swallowing issues, you're better off with Orbera. Orbera requires 2 endoscopies; Obalon 1. Otherwise, it's really just a matter of preference!
I hope that's helpful! Good luck!

Pablo Garcia, MD · Answer

Justina,Three popular brands of gastric balloons are Orbera, Obalon and ReShape. They all work in the same way — the balloon (or balloons) take up space in your stomach, reducing your stomach’s capacity for food and helping you feel full quicker. They all remain in place for six months, after which they are removed under mild sedation. Three brands of gastric balloons are currently FDA-approved: Orbera, Obalon and Reshape. Hope this was helpful.Regards.

Obalon? Orbera? ReShape? What would you recommend for a new mom?

Answers (2)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Orbera Gastric Balloon

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Obalon? Orbera? ReShape? What would you recommend for a new mom?

Answers (2)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Orbera Gastric Balloon

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.