An intragastric balloon is a silicone medical device that is placed inside the stomach through the mouth (without surgery) and filled with saline solution (salt water). It takes up part of the stomach's volume, which causes early satiety (you get full faster when eating) and delays gastric emptying. It is not surgery. There are no cuts. No scars.

It is an endoscopic, non-surgical procedure. It is introduced through the mouth with an endoscope (a thin tube with a camera), like a gastroscopy. The abdomen is not opened, there are no incisions.

The balloon is made of medical-grade silicone (the same material as breast implants or catheters). It is flexible, smooth, and non-toxic. It does not degrade inside the stomach.

The fill volume is 400-800 ml. The approximate size is that of a large pear or a fist. It is not as huge as people imagine.

Most balloons are filled with saline solution (sterile water with 0.9% sodium chloride). Saline solution is heavier and stays in the lower part of the stomach, causing less discomfort than air. The Allurion/Elipse balloon is filled with pure water.

The balloon is indicated for people with:

• BMI between 27 and 35 (overweight or class I obesity) who have not been able to lose weight with diet and exercise.
• BMI between 35 and 40 (class II obesity) as preparation for bariatric surgery.
• Not for people with morbid obesity (BMI >40) as a definitive treatment.

It is the most widely used traditional balloon in the world. Placed by endoscopy, filled with saline, and lasts 6 months. It has the most accumulated scientific evidence behind it.

It is an adjustable endoscopic balloon. It lasts up to 12 months. The main advantage is that if the patient doesn't lose enough weight or feels too much nausea, the doctor can add or remove saline via endoscopy without removing the balloon.

It is the famous "swallowable balloon". You swallow a capsule attached to a thin tube. Once in the stomach (confirmed by X-ray), it is filled with water. After 4 months, a time-release valve opens, it deflates, and passes naturally through the digestive tract. No endoscopy or sedation needed.

There is no single "best" balloon. It depends on the patient:

• Allurion: Best if you fear endoscopy or want the easiest placement.
• Spatz3: Best if you want a longer treatment (12 months) or need adjustability.
• Orbera: The classic, reliable, 6-month standard option.

1. You fast for 8-12 hours.
2. You receive light intravenous sedation (you sleep, but don't need a breathing tube).
3. The doctor passes the endoscope to check the stomach is healthy.
4. The deflated balloon is inserted through the mouth.
5. It is filled with saline solution via a catheter.
6. The catheter is detached and removed. Takes about 15-20 minutes.

You swallow the deflated balloon inside a capsule while standing or sitting. It's about the size of a large vitamin. Once you swallow it, the doctor confirms its position via X-ray. Then, through the attached thin tube, they fill it with 550 ml of water. They pull the tube out, and that's it. Takes about 15 minutes.

Don't worry. In about 1% of cases, the capsule can't be swallowed. In that situation, the doctor can use a stylet (a thin wire) to push it down, or simply opt for an endoscopic placement instead.

Traditional balloons (Orbera, Spatz3): Removed by endoscopy under sedation. The doctor punctures it with a needle, suctions the fluid out, and grabs the deflated balloon with forceps to pull it out through the mouth. Takes 10-15 minutes.

Allurion/Elipse: It deflates automatically after ~4 months and passes out naturally in the stool. You won't even notice it.

During the procedure: No. With traditional balloons, you are sedated. With Allurion, you might feel a mild discomfort or urge to vomit as it's being filled, but it passes quickly.

After the procedure: Yes, discomfort. The first 3-5 days are the hardest: nausea, cramps, feeling of fullness. It is completely normal as the stomach gets used to the balloon.

No. It is an outpatient procedure. You arrive, they place it, you rest for 1-2 hours in the clinic, and you go home the same day. Always accompanied by someone else, especially if you had sedation.

The first few days, you feel constant fullness, pressure, and sometimes nausea. After the first week, the stomach adapts. By week 2 or 3, you don't feel the balloon when you're resting. You only feel it when you eat too much or too fast—it acts as an "alarm" telling you to stop.

Nausea is very common in the first 3-7 days. Your doctor will prescribe anti-nausea medication and antacids to get you through this period. Vomiting is less common if you follow the liquid diet strictly those first days. If you try to eat solid food on day 2, you will likely vomit.

Sometimes you might feel a slight "sloshing" or floating sensation when you drink water quickly or jump around. It doesn't hurt; it's just a weird feeling that most people stop noticing after a few weeks.

Yes, it's relatively common. The balloon can delay gastric emptying, and sometimes food or acid sits longer in the stomach, causing halitosis. Drinking plenty of water and taking prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs/antacids) helps a lot.

During the first week, you might need to sleep propped up with pillows to avoid acid reflux. After that, you can sleep in any position. Many patients actually sleep better because they eat lighter dinners.

The diet progresses in stages:

• Days 1-3: Liquid diet (water, broths, sugar-free jello).
• Days 4-7: Pureed/soft diet (yogurt, blended soups, scrambled eggs).
• Week 2 onwards: Solid diet (introducing proteins, vegetables, healthy fats).

Avoid at all costs: Sugar and sweets, carbonated drinks (they cause gas and severe pain), fried foods, pasta/bread/rice (they form a sticky paste in the stomach), tough meats, and spicy foods (they irritate the stomach lining).

No, and that's the point. You will eat about 1/3 to 1/2 of what you used to eat. If you overeat, you will feel pain, nausea, or vomit. The balloon forces you to eat smaller portions, chew thoroughly, and eat slowly.

Yes. Because your food intake drops drastically, it's highly recommended to take a daily multivitamin to prevent nutritional deficiencies. Unlike gastric bypass, the balloon doesn't cause malabsorption, but the low volume of food might not cover all your micronutrient needs.

On average, patients lose between 10% and 15% of their total body weight. For example, a person weighing 100 kg can expect to lose between 10 and 15 kg during the treatment. Some highly committed patients lose up to 20%.

Weight loss starts immediately in the first week (mostly water weight and glycogen stores due to the liquid diet). Fat loss becomes steady from week 2 onwards. The most rapid drop usually happens in the first 3 months, then it plateaus.

The balloon does not burn fat directly. It acts mechanically (takes up space so you eat less) and hormonally (reduces ghrelin, the hunger hormone, and alters the way your gut signals the brain). The fat loss comes from the caloric deficit you maintain while the balloon is inside you.

Yes, hitting a plateau around month 3 or 4 is very common. The stomach stretches a bit, the body adapts to the lower calorie intake, and your metabolism slows down slightly. Breaking the plateau requires adjusting your diet and increasing physical activity.

The most common side effects (not exactly complications) are: nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, acid reflux, and bad breath. These usually resolve after the first week.

It is extremely rare (less than 1%), but it can happen. Traditional balloons contain a blue dye (methylene blue) in the saline. If the balloon leaks, your urine will turn green or blue. If this happens, go to the emergency room immediately so they can remove the deflated balloon before it causes an intestinal obstruction.

A gastric ulcer is a sore in the stomach lining. The balloon rubbing against the stomach, combined with acid, can cause one. That's why all patients must take a daily proton pump inhibitor (omeprazole/pantoprazole) while the balloon is in place to prevent ulcers.

In about 2-5% of cases, the patient has severe intolerance (continuous vomiting, dehydration, unbearable pain) that doesn't improve with medication. In these cases, the balloon must be removed early. It's not a failure; it's just how that specific body reacted.

There have been extremely rare fatal cases globally, mostly linked to gastric perforation in patients with previous stomach surgeries, or severe dehydration from uncontrolled vomiting. This is why patient selection and strict medical follow-up are vital. For a healthy candidate, the risk of severe complications is very low.

• Days 1-7: Rest and short walks only.
• Week 2-3: Light cardio (walking, stationary bike, swimming).
• Week 4 onwards: Full workout routine (weights, HIIT, running) as tolerated.

Yes, but wait at least 3-4 weeks. Doing intense core work too early can increase abdominal pressure and cause severe reflux or discomfort. Start with planks and light crunches before moving to intense ab routines.

Yes, swimming is actually one of the best exercises with the balloon. It burns calories, works the whole body, and the water pressure can even feel soothing on the stomach. Wait until the nausea phase is over (usually week 2).

The first week, yes, because your caloric intake is very low and you're adapting. However, after week 2, most patients feel a surge of energy because they are losing weight, eating healthier, and the nausea subsides. Exercise is crucial to maximize fat loss and preserve muscle mass.

Prices vary greatly by country and clinic:

• Orbera / Spatz3: $3,000 - $8,000 USD.
• Allurion/Elipse: $3,500 - $9,000 USD.

In most countries, it is NOT covered by public or standard private health insurance, as it's often considered an elective or aesthetic procedure. Some premium insurance plans might cover part of it if you have a BMI > 35 and documented comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension).

For traditional balloons, you'll likely need 2-3 days off to recover from sedation and the initial nausea. For Allurion, you might just need the day of the procedure and the next day. If you have a physically demanding job, you might need up to a week off.

Yes. Cabin pressure changes do not affect the balloon significantly. You can fly safely. It is recommended to wait at least 1-2 weeks after placement before flying, just in case of any initial complications that might require you to see your doctor.

Yes. The balloon is made of silicone and filled with saline/water. It contains no metal. It is completely MRI-safe.

If you require an emergency abdominal surgery, the balloon can be punctured and removed endoscopically before the surgery, or the surgeon can work around it if necessary. Always inform ER doctors that you have a balloon.

It is highly discouraged. Gas expands the stomach, pushing against the balloon and causing terrible pain, cramps, and severe bloating. Stick to flat water.

Because weight loss is usually 10-15 kg and gradual, the risk of severe excess skin is much lower than with gastric bypass or sleeve. However, if you lose weight quickly or have poor skin elasticity, some looseness is normal. Strength training and hydration help minimize this.

It is approved for adults aged 18 to 65. The ideal candidate is someone who is mature enough to commit to lifestyle changes and whose health can tolerate the initial physical stress (no severe heart conditions).