A minimally invasive, non-surgical weight-loss procedure in which a soft, saline- or gas-filled balloon is placed inside the stomach to limit food intake and promote satiety.

Mechanism:

Endoscopically placed balloon occupies space in the stomach

Slows gastric emptying and makes the patient feel full with smaller meals

Usually temporary (removed after ~6 months)

Indications / Who May Need It

Adults with obesity (BMI 30–40) who:

Failed to lose weight with diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes

Are not candidates for bariatric surgery, or prefer a less invasive approach

Sometimes used as a bridge to surgery in very obese patients to reduce weight and surgical risks

Benefits

Aids in weight loss

May improve obesity-related conditions: type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, metabolic syndrome

Outpatient procedure, reversible

Limitations / Risks

Temporary → balloon must be removed after months

Side effects: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, reflux

Rare: balloon deflation, migration, or gastric perforation