Orbera Gastric Balloon

Orbera™ weight loss

The Orbera™ gastric balloon could be the ideal solution for patients with a BMI over 27.

A published European clinical study of 2,515 patients using Orbera™ found the average weight loss after 6 months was 20kg (Ref: Genco A, Bruni T, Doldi SB et al. BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon: The Italian Experience with 2,515 Patients. Obesity Surgery 2005; 15:1161-1164)

The gastric balloon is a non-surgical procedure in which a gastric balloon device is inserted into the stomach and inflated with saline fluid, reducing stomach capacity and producing a feeling of fullness after eating small portions of food.

Orbera™ is a non-surgical endoscopic procedure carried out under mild sedation which takes just 30 minutes.

The gastric balloon is removed after six months, when your consultant will discuss any further treatment or surgery required to achieve the best level of weight loss.

Who’s suitable for a gastric balloon?

  • Patients with a BMI 27 and above who have not been able to achieve sustained weight loss through dietary or other approaches
  • Patients with a BMI of 35 to 40 who decline surgical weight loss options or need a weight loss step before undergoing weight loss surgery
  • Patients planned for cardiovascular, orthopaedic or other surgery and require weight reduction before they can proceed or require weight reduction to improve their risks and likelihood of a good outcome

The Procedure

The gastric balloon is inserted and removed through the mouth. It is a non-surgical procedure requiring no general anaesthetic. However, patients are given some mild sedation for their comfort during the procedure.

The balloon itself is a soft, silicone sac. It is inserted deflated, but once in the stomach, sterile saline is added. The volume and weight of the balloon sit in the stomach so that patients naturally “feel fuller” faster and for longer. This naturally enables them to learn to eat less and to choose better foods.

The gastric balloon procedure offers a quick recovery compared to other weight loss options, as it is non-surgical, therefore requiring no general anaesthetic, no incisions/scars and no overnight stay in hospital.