Results

An intragastric balloon can make you feel more full faster than you normally would when eating, which often means you'll eat less. One reason why may be that the intragastric balloon slows down the time it takes to empty the stomach. Another reason may be that the balloon seems to change levels of hormones that control appetite.

The amount of weight you lose also depends on how much you can change your lifestyle habits including diet and exercise.

Based on a summary of currently available treatments, loss of about 7% to 15% of body weight is typical during the six months after intragastric balloon placement. Total excess weight loss ranges from 30% to 47%.

As with other procedures and surgeries that lead to significant weight loss, the intragastric balloon may help improve or resolve conditions often related to being overweight, including:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Osteoarthritis (joint pain)
• Type 2 diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

When weight-loss procedures don't work

It's possible to not lose significant weight or to regain weight after any type of weight-loss procedure or surgery, even if the procedure itself works correctly. This weight gain can happen if you don't follow the recommended lifestyle changes. Permanent healthy changes in your diet, along with regular physical activity and exercise, are necessary to avoid regaining weight.