Can you be over BMI 40 to safely get the Orbera Balloon?

It would not be unsafe to place an Orbera gastric balloon in someone with a BMI of 40, but you should consider other options, including bariatric surgery such as a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass.  If you don't want surgery or your health insurance won't cover it, You can also consider the ESG (endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty) which I believe provides better results than the gastric balloon procedures. It involves suturing a significant portion of the stomach closed but it's all done endoscopically, so without surgery.  It's a great procedure, but not too many people are doing it around the country yet.  

Yes, you can be over BMI 40 to safely get the Orbera Balloon. The Orbera Balloon is a type of intragastric balloon that is used to help people with obesity lose weight. It is a safe and effective treatment for people with a BMI of 27 or higher, including those with a BMI of 40 or higher.
Here are some of the benefits of the Orbera Balloon:
It is a non-surgical procedure, which means that there are no incisions or scars.It is a minimally invasive procedure, which means that the recovery time is short.It is an effective way to lose weight, with an average weight loss of 25 pounds in six months.It is a safe procedure, with very few side effects.Here are some of the risks of the Orbera Balloon:
Nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects of the Orbera Balloon. These side effects are usually temporary and go away within a few weeks.Abdominal pain is another common side effect of the Orbera Balloon. This pain is usually mild and goes away within a few weeks.Infection is a rare but serious complication of the Orbera Balloon. This can occur if the balloon leaks or if bacteria enter the stomach through the insertion site.Perforation is another rare but serious complication of the Orbera Balloon. This occurs when the balloon punctures the stomach wall.If you are considering having an Orbera Balloon placed, it is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits. They will be able to assess your individual circumstances and determine if an Orbera Balloon is right for you.
Here are some things to keep in mind if you are considering having an Orbera Balloon placed:
Be sure to choose a doctor who is experienced in placing Orbera Balloons.Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and any medications you are taking.Follow your doctor's instructions carefully after having an Orbera Balloon placed.With proper care and monitoring, Orbera Balloons can be a safe and effective way to help people with obesity lose weight.

Safety is best viewed as what is the anesthetic risk. The balloon itself has no increased risk when used in a higher BMI individual. The procedure is performed under monitored anesthesia care, not general anesthesia, the same as a colonoscopy. If you have other medical issues that make this form of anesthesia risky such as significant lung or heart related conditions, any procedure would be considered higher risk. The other thing to consider is will a balloon meet your goals. Some individuals are not looking for a normal BMI at the end. If you do not have obesity related health issues, it is absolutely your choice as to what your goal weight is.In my experience I usually offer intragastric balloons to patients who want to lose 30-50 pounds during the 6-8 months the balloon is in. The majority of our patients continue to lose weight after the balloon is removed if they desire as all our patients have 2 years with our nutritionist to ensure durable results.

Hello
Thank you so much for your question. According to that BMI you can be a great candidate for bariatric surgery; but there are other factor to take into consideration before making a decision; in this case the procedure to consider would be a Gastric Sleeve. 
The sleeve gastrectomy, which reduces the size of the stomach is probably an excellent option because  the 70% to 80% of the stomach is removed and the part that produce Ghrelin which is a hormone that makes you feel hungry. Paired with healthy diet and exercise you should have a successful procedure. 
To qualify for weight loss surgery, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery recommends you meet one of the following:
1- BMI ≥ 40, or more than 100 pounds overweight.
2- BMI ≥35 and at least one or more obesity-related co-morbidities such as type II diabetes (T2DM), hypertension, sleep apnea and other respiratory disorders, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, lipid abnormalities, gastrointestinal disorders, or heart disease.
3- Inability to achieve a healthy weight loss sustained for a period of time with prior weight loss efforts.The gastric balloon wouldn't be a good option with a BMI that high, you will end up losing time and money
The first step will be to have a consultation with a bariatric surgeon then go to your insurance, most of the insurance company don't cover these types of surgery. 
Good luck, blessings

Hello, Orbera was approved by the FDA for MI 30-40. having the procedure for BMIs out of this range is not related to safety. It means that it is off label use of the balloon, which is allowable in Medicine based on the Physician's assessment and patient consent. Hope this helps

It is possible to safely get the balloon placed for a BMI over 40 but at that BMI the other bariatric options would be better suited. But if the question is solely is it safe without any other consideration then yes, it is safe to have the gastric balloon placed if your BMI is over 40. You should discuss this with your surgeon and go through all the pros and cons to see if it is right for you.

The balloon can only be left in place for 6 months.  Once it is removed, you will invariably regain your lost weight.  Why spend $8000 for that, when for a little more (or less, if you go to Mexico), you can get a sleeve gastrectomy which will help you for the rest of your life.I am now commonly seeing patients who have wasted their money on the balloon, and then come to me to have a sleeve gastrectomy after the balloon is removed.Mark Pleatman MD