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

Doctor Answers 1

Shrinking of stomach size after Orbera

May 31st, 2017
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Hello, and thank you for your question. Your stomach itself does not shrink after Orbera Balloon placement but the balloon itself (about the size of a small grapefruit) takes up about 1/3 of the stomach capacity  which significantly reduces portion of food and liquid intake. This and the fact that the stomach will empty slower with the balloon in place both contribute to less hunger and the sense of feeling full longer. 

R. Steven Jones, MD


Little Rock Gastroenterologist

May 31st, 2017

Shrinking of stomach size after Orbera

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Hello, and thank you for your question. Your stomach itself does not shrink after Orbera Balloon placement but the balloon itself (about the size of a small grapefruit) takes up about 1/3 of the stomach capacity  which significantly reduces portion of food and liquid intake. This and the fact that the stomach will empty slower with the balloon in place both contribute to less hunger and the sense of feeling full longer. 


Little Rock Gastroenterologist

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