Is your stomach supposed to shrink in the 6 months that the balloon is in it? If so, how is that possible?

No, the gastric balloon is not recommended for people who have had gastric sleeve surgery. The gastric sleeve is a type of bariatric surgery that involves removing a large portion of the stomach. This surgery can cause changes to the anatomy of the stomach, which can make it difficult or...

Hi, As others have noted, you cannot have an Orbera balloon if you have a LapBand. However, I'd like to clarify that even if the band is removed, you are still not a candidate for Orbera. This is because you will have scar tissue around your stomach after the LapBand is removed, which can lead...

Hi Jana, Yes, you would still be considered a potential candidate for Orbera. While Orbera is only FDA approved for individuals with a BMI of 30 to 40, it can be used "off-label" for people who fall outside of that range, assuming that it is the right treatment option and that there are no...

Great question. The short answer is yes, you can have a 2nd balloon placed if you have not reached your weight loss goals after the initial 6 month balloon treatment. As of right now, Orbera is only FDA approved for 6 months (it was recently approved by the European Union to remain in place...

Hi,  The cost does very widely by location, and practice, though typically falls within the $6500 to $8000 range in the U.S. It would be very difficult to provide it for any cheaper, considering the cost of the balloon (set by the manufacturer), 2 endoscopic procedures and related...

Hi,  The Orbera insertion and removal procedures must be performed under anesthesia. This is usually a "twilight" type sleep, not general anesthesia, meaning you are breathing on your own but in a deep, comfortable sleep. I would not worry about gagging. In fact, you are very unlikely...