Obesity Surgeries - Gastric Balloon

Intragastric balloon placement is a weight-loss procedure that involves placing a saline-filled silicone balloon in your stomach. This helps you lose weight by limiting how much you can eat and making you feel fuller faster. The intragastric balloon procedure is done in the endoscopy unit as an outpatient procedure. You'll be sedated for the procedure. During the procedure, the doctor advances a thin tube (catheter) loaded with the intragastric balloon down your throat into your stomach. Next, the doctor advances an endoscope — a flexible tube with a camera attached — down your throat into your stomach. The camera allows your doctor to see the balloon as he or she fills it with saline. The procedure takes about a half-hour. You can normally go home one to two hours after the procedure is finished.