A Tool for Change: Gastric Balloon Placement What is Gastric Balloon Placement? Gastric balloon placement is a non-surgical weight loss procedure that involves placing a soft, saline-filled silicone balloon inside your stomach. This "space-occupying" device is designed to help you lose weight by physically limiting how much you can eat and making you feel full much faster. The procedure is typically performed endoscopically. While you are under light sedation, a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) is used to guide the deflated balloon through your mouth and into the stomach. Once in place, it is filled with sterile saline to approximately the size of a grapefruit. The entire process takes about 20 minutes and requires no incisions or permanent changes to your digestive anatomy. The balloon stays in place for 6 to 12 months, after which it is removed during a similar brief procedure. Why is this Procedure Personally Vital for You? The gastric balloon serves as a "training wheel" for your metabolism, helping you break the cycle of hunger while you establish new habits. This procedure is personally vital for you if: You Need a Non-Permanent Solution: Unlike gastric sleeve or bypass surgery, the balloon is completely reversible. It allows you to jumpstart your weight loss without a lifelong commitment to surgical changes. Traditional Dieting Has Plateaued: If you have reached a weight loss "wall" despite exercise and calorie restriction, the balloon provides the physical satiety needed to push through to your goal. You Want to Lower Surgical Risk: For some patients, losing an initial 10–15% of body weight with a balloon can make future surgeries (like joint replacements or hernia repairs) much safer. You Value an "Incisionless" Approach: Because there are no cuts to the abdomen, there is zero external scarring and a significantly lower risk of infection or surgical complications. The Path to Metabolic Health and Stability The goal of the gastric balloon is to provide a physical "re-set" for your portion control. This pathway is designed to: Modify Appetite and Satiety: By occupying space in the stomach, the balloon slows down gastric emptying and signals to your brain that you are full sooner. Ensure Clinical Readiness: To ensure your stomach is healthy enough for the device, we require a thorough medical history, diagnostic X-rays (to rule out large hiatal hernias or gastric ulcers), and comprehensive blood tests (to check metabolic health, vitamin levels, and thyroid function). A Focused Recovery and Stabilization Window: The first few days after placement are a period of adjustment as the stomach learns to "accommodate" the balloon. We focus on a 2–3 week recovery and stabilization period. During this window, our multidisciplinary team—including specialized dietitians—will guide you through a liquid-to-solid food transition and monitor your hydration levels, ensuring your system is perfectly stabilized as you begin your weight loss journey. All details are subject to doctor evaluation for the final treatment plan.