Weight Loss
Weight-Loss Balloon Procedure
Effective results without the stress of surgery.
At Sharp, we understand how vital maintaining your weight is to your well-being. And sometimes diet and exercise alone aren't enough to achieve your weight-loss goals. That's why we offer the weight-loss balloon procedure — a nonsurgical, innovative treatment that provides results without surgery.
How the weight-loss balloon procedure works.
The weight-loss balloon procedure places a saline-filled balloon into your stomach, taking up about a third of the available space. This helps reinforce proper portion control and gives you a "full" feeling.
Because the soft, deflated balloon is placed endoscopically (meaning it goes through your mouth and into your stomach), no surgery is required and the procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes.
The balloon is temporary and is designed to encourage portion control and an active lifestyle to assist in weight loss. After six months the balloon is removed in a similar procedure — the balloon is first deflated and then retrieved from your stomach endoscopically. After its removal, you should continue your adjusted eating habits and activity levels to maintain your weight-loss goals.
You may experience nausea, vomiting or heartburn in the days following your procedure as your body readjusts.
Is the weight-loss balloon procedure right for you?
If you're interested in this procedure, your body mass index (BMI) should be between 30 and 40 — however, if your BMI is outside this range you may still qualify. Ideal candidates have experienced difficulty losing weight through diet and exercise, but do not prefer or are not qualified for bariatric surgery.
You may not be considered as a candidate for this procedure if you meet any of the following criteria:
- Prior stomach surgery
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- Liver disease/cirrhosis
- Use blood thinners
- Large hiatal hernia
- Severe heartburn
- Stomach/esophageal abnormality
- Inflammatory disease of GI tract
- Unable to take antacids
- Allergy to silicone or baking soda
Find out more.
If you want to learn more about the weight-loss balloon procedure, attend a free seminar and meet Dr. Julie Ellner, a board-certified general surgeon specializing in weight loss, who performs the procedure at Sharp Grossmont Hospital.
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