Intragastric Balloon
Appointment - 919-235-6440Dina Ahmad, MD, ABOM
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Intragastric balloon placement is a non-surgical weight loss option for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of between 30 and 40 who are not interested in bariatric surgery or it is not right for them. The average weight loss after intragastric balloon placement is up to 15% of your total body weight — enough to have a positive impact on your health in a short period of time.
How It Works
While you are under anesthesia, a qualified physician feeds a catheter with a special balloon on the end through your mouth, down your throat and into your stomach. The balloon is inflated and the catheter is removed, leaving the balloon in place. You will have the balloon in your stomach for approximately six months.
With the balloon in place and a nutrition plan carefully designed for you by your care team, you will have the support to consume less, retraining your eating habits for long-term success.
After six months, the balloon is removed and you continue with your nutrition plan, checking in with your care team on a regular basis.
What is Orbera?
The Orbera Managed Weight Loss System is a completely non-surgical procedure that helps patients who need support jump-starting their weight loss. Through the placement of a single silicon balloon into the stomach, the Orbera approach helps patients feel full faster and eat smaller amounts of food over a six-month period.
Performed in the Advanced Gastrointestinal Center at WakeMed Cary Hospital, the procedure is simple and easy and is performed by a board-certified gastroenterologist, who places a thin, deflated balloon in the stomach through the esophagus (using endoscopy). The balloon is inflated with saline until it’s approximately the size of a grapefruit — which will sit on your stomach to provide a sense of satiety and facilitate weight loss. The outpatient procedure is performed under mild sedation and takes just 10-15 minutes. Your gastroenterologist will remove the balloon six months after placement in the same manner it was placed.
How Much Weight Will I Lose?
Most patients lose between 20-50 pounds with the Orbera, but some lose as much as 70 pounds. According to Orbera, the average person loses 3x more weight with Orbera than they would with diet and exercise alone.
See weight loss video testimonials.
